Heliswiss European launch customer for Vertol 107

American company Columbia Helicopters announced the sale of one of their Vertol 107-II to Heliswiss International AG (HSI) on 30 January 2023. The sale makes HSI the official civilian launch customer for the aircraft type in Europe.

The machine concerned is registered as N185CH, a 1963 Kawasaki built KV-107II-2 (c/n 4003). It served the Royal Thai Army as 4003 until 1976, when the twin rotor helicopter was sold to Columbia Helicopters. N185CH has already been delivered to HSI and has been active in Greece, Italy and Switzerland in the last week of January 2023.

HSI is said to have made this rather unusual step as a result of the uncertain future of their Kamov Ka32s caused by the imposed sanctions by European countries and Canada. As a replacement HSI found the Vertol 107 as a  long-term comparable and trusted workhorse for medium external load operations. With full OEM support, the standard category Columbia Model 107-II Vertol features a 22,000-lb (9,979-kg) lifting capability, internal and external cargo lift options, and 17-seat passenger capacity.

HSI will use the aircraft in its partnerships with governmental and private institutions for forest fire fighting, external load lifts, and rapid disaster response. The company plans to send the aircraft to Chile to fight fires and perform external load operations during the European winter season.

Photo: Columbia Helicopters