The 14th edition of the winter trip to the Alpine region took us to Switzerland. Unfortunately, the snow from the Christmas period had already disappeared everywhere and it was much too warm. The outward journey was made on Friday. This year the focus was on the Rega stations. The current fleet consists of the AW109SP and H145D2. The latter are 5-6 years old, but the entire fleet will soon be standardized to the H145D3 (5 blade). Time to fill the gaps.
Saturday, 3rd February
The first stop was at Rega 7 in St. Gallen. Previously an AW109SP was based here, but now an H145D2. The helicopter was towed out for us, but was also immediately deployed. After the patient was taken to the hospital, they returned to base.
We continued to Balzers in Liechtenstein. Lions Air flies here with the EC135 in the HEMS role as Christoph Liechtenstein. After a cup of coffee, the next deployment followed and we could continue to Mollis.
Unfortunately, the military era is long gone here. Even the Hunter last flew there in 2021. There is now a Kopter helicopter factory. The Rega 12 was going to a destination further away, so we had to wait a while. After returning, a hotpit refuel was performed and we left immediately.
The last stop was Untervaz. Rega 5 uses the H145D2 during the day as well as the H145D2 at night. During the day the Agusta flew.
This heliport is shared by Rega and Swiss Helicopter. An EC120 also arrived before the end of the day.
Sunday 4th February
One of the important secondary goals was Samedan Engadin airport. It is the highest international airport in Europe, 1707 meters. The route to it goes via the Julier pass with a great view. Several visitors were expected because of the White Turf event. White Turf is an horse event on the frozen lake of nearby St. Moritz. Because of the dangerous approach, the route it is a really nice weather airport. Fortunately this was the case today. Various bizzers found their way in a beautiful setting.
There is a langlauf ski trail along the entire south side of the runway. So you can also just walk here. The separation from the airport is a simple sign “forbidden for pedestrians / beware of aircraft”. Nice and simple.
An AW139 came to visit from Bologna.
An Pilatus PC24 did also show up
Larger bizjets were parked on the platform.
The smaller bizzjets and bizprops on a smaller platform / grass strip that is still completely covered with snow.
Pilatus P3 was also a nice visit.
The Rega 9 made a few more missions.
The nicest visitor was a G650 from Qatar Executive.
It was a successful Sunday. Samedan is located in a remote area, so we had to drive 2.5 hours to the destination for the next day.
Monday 5th February
The first visit was to Heli Rezia in San Vittore. Even though it was still very early in the year, two helicopters were already occupied as firefighting helicopters. The rest was moved outside. Unfortunately, the sun had not yet risen over the mountains yet.
Next stop was Lugano – Magadino. Rega 6 was neatly towed outside for us and put in the spotlight.
Unfortunately, the Swiss AF PC7’s were not active. Continue to Lodrino. The first visit was to Karen SA. A maintenance company with also a fleet of VIP helicopters. They have 2 new Bell 505s and they wanted to take them out.
At Heli TV we were very happy with the SA315 Lama. This is the last Lama still flying in Switzerland with only 6 flying hours left. Her last days are now really numbered.
Because there is no more snow, many helies were already used for airwork. Normally this only happens after the winter season.
This also applies to the next location. Heli Rezia also has a helicopter based around Ambri. The old Venom shelters are used here. The barracks and runway are separated by the Gotthard highway.
We drove further north to the last destination, Erstfeld. It started to get very foggy around Lake Lucerne. Rega 10 (Interlaken) was on its way to the hospital of Lucerne/Emmen, but therefore made a right U-turn to Erstfeld. Followed a little later by the based Rega 8.
After waiting for departure, we drove on to Stans. It was now so foggy that the Pilatus factory had disappeared into the fog.
Tuesday, 6th February
As the previous day ended, the new one began: grey. We drove to Alpnach via Pilatus. We were immediately asked by security to move the car, because apparently there is a generous parking ban. Because there was little activity, we drove to Emmen. It was even foggier here, so off to Heliswiss International near Kussnacht am Rigi. We already knew that the BV107 would currently be in South Korea. The Kamov 32 has been wfu for a long time since the war in Ukraine due to a lack of spare parts. We were unable to photograph the Super Puma, but she would leave for Valais later in the week. Maybe there would be a second chance.
Next stop: Dubendorf. We were lucky, the AS350 from the Kantonspolizei Zurich just arrived. Despite a lot of searching, I had never found out where it was located on Dubendorf. A quick photo was taken before she was dragged under the sheds and hidden again.
The actual goal was Rega 1. Ultimately this was also driven outside and we were able to cross it off.
We drove a little further north: Birrfeld. The Lions 1 left just a little too quickly. After waiting for more than 1.5 hours, we gave up and drove to Bern. In the end this helie only came back when we were already in Bern. She has been at the deployment location for almost 2.5 hours! Fortunately I took a (crop) photo during departure.
Rega 3 was in the spotlight in Bern. They were busy instructing new medics, but during the training break a photo could be taken quickly.
We were also welcome at Lions Air. There was an AW139 outside that we were able to capture after the coffee break. There were 2 EC135’s inside, one of which was under construction.
Wednesday 7th February
The next day started in Zweisimmen. The only H145D3 from Sion also regularly visits here, but it did not seem to be making any plans to hop over from Wallis.
We drove past Gstaad for a while. This is where Air Glaciers flies for the helie ski
Since this winter, a HEMS helicopter has also been based there. It was a new addition since the last visit and one of the additional goals.
We drove back the same way towards Interlaken to try our luck at the Spital. It can sometimes be very busy, with 3 heli spots. However, not today. We only saw Rega 10 returning to their base after the lunch break.
We regularly heard F18’s flying and so we also went to Meiringen to take a look. Unfortunately, there were no more flights in the afternoon. Then back to Wilderswill. Here also, two helicopters were busy with airwork. One just came back.
To get to Wallis, we took the train through the Lötschberg tunnel. This train connection has been in use since 1913 and has a length of 14.6 kms. After arriving we looked out over Turtmann on the south side. Beautiful memories are cherished here. Time flies.
Thursday 8th February
The day started with a visit to Air Zermatt in Raron. As hoped, the Super Puma from Heliswiss was here for the jobs in Wallis.
Then we went by train to the heliport in Zermatt, located at 1600 meters.
It took quite some time before any activities started. The Bell 429 was used as the HEMS helicopter.
In the afternoon the AS350s also came to life.
The last Air Zermatt location was Gampel, again with a HEMS Bell 429.
The last location on this day was Sion. Finally, we came across Rega 18 here with the 5 blade H145.
Friday 9th February
We wanted to have the 5 blade with the sun in front of the lens, so back to Sion. This helicopter was busy all morning transporting a neonatal baby to Lausanne. Heli Alps flew with some helies.
This HEMS from Air Glaciers was previously used by Air Zermatt.
The last target was the yellow HEMS helicopter from Air Glaciers. This was located on Collombey. We waited here for some time without results. What happened; In the meantime the HB-ZEF was aog and had been replaced by this helicopter. So we had to return to Sion. Fortunately, a mission started quite quickly.
The last stop of the day was Rega 4 in Lausanne. We understood that it was on its way for a special long mission. This later turned out to involve the recovery of three missing Dutch people who had died in a ravine two days earlier. The Rega had to recover the victims with the hoist. Sometimes help comes too late, but it is good that this help can also be provided. After a long time they came back. In the meantime, Rega 18 from Sion had done the backup and they could return home.
It had been raining for some time and the weather forecast for the next day was also bad. The intention was to go to Courchevel, but with bad weather this is pointless. After judging the alternatives, it was decided to return home a day earlier instead of waiting a day against better judgment.
Ultimately, most of the goals of this trip were achieved.
Regards,
Michiel
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