Just before our departure, I received confirmation that the Schenk Air AW109 should be for a short maintenance check to their base in Feldkirch. At our arrival, around 8AM, test flights were already going on.
28-2-2015
Feldkirch
OE-XSE AW109SP SCHENK AIR
After her departure to the operational base in Schruns, we left to Nenzing. Their regular helicopter was also in maintenance.
Nenzing
OE-XVC EC135T2+ OEMTC
As we never visited the home base of Robin 1, we made a detour to Schruns. Like the previous visits this day, also this helicopter is located on a roof helipad. In this case the roof of the sanatorium of Dr. Schenk. After as short while, she left for her first mission.
Schruns
OE-XSE AW109SP SCHENK AIR Robin 1
As Saturday is the big tourist arrival/departure day, we were forced to enjoy for the 2nd time the Austrian countryside viewed from another traffic jam. We continued with fantastic views to the heliport between Zurs and Lech. Nice weather resulted also in various accidents on the ski slopes, so our patience was tested. After a long while we recognized the sound of the EC135, but she continued overhead to the next casualty. She landed on the ski slope, but fortunately she returned to the home base as fuel was running out. The rescuer and doctor remained on the slope.
Zurs
OE-XHZ EC135T1 WUCHER Gallus 1
We continued from Vorarlberg to Tirol to the next base within a langlauf area, the base of Alpin 3. This is one of the 10 bases, which are only active during the winter / tourist seasons. The Alpin locations are operated by rotation by the Heli-Ambulance Team partners, a cooperation between OEMTC, SHS and Wucher. This year it is the turn of SHS for Alpin 3. Shortly they were scrambled for a rope rescue (tau- bergung). This method is mainly used in Austria, as it saves the weight of the hoist and the hoist-operator. For short distance a very efficient solution. Since our last visit, the hangar was expanded and we found a Lama parked inside.
Sankt Anton
OE-XRS EC135T1 SHS Alpin 3
HB-ZMT SA315 B WUCHER
Returning to the valley we arrived in Zams
OE-XEZ EC135T2+ OEMTC Christophorus 5
Despite the intense road traffic, we decided to cross the Fernpass. ARA Flugrettung has 2 rescue locations in Austria and is part of the DRF organization. These are the only helicopters that are equipped with a hoist. We made the wrong decision as there was a traffic jam southbound exceeding 2 hours. A good time for a dinner break in Reutte, before returning to our hotel.
Reutte
D-HDRI BK117C1 ARA RK 1
1-3-2015
During our last visit in 2012 we were very successful in visiting the hospital of Zams. This regional hospital is used by 5 helicopter basis. Instead of driving to the Oetztal and Paznauertal, we were expecting these helicopters to come towards us. You cannot be lucky twice! The visibility was very poor and very lucky for the skiers, but not for us, there were no accidents yet. Without any results we continued to Karres bei Imst. Martin 2 already made the first mission to a traffic accident at low level.
Karres bei Imst
OE-XNN AS355F2 HELI TIROL Martin 2
OE-XKK BELL212 HELI AUSTRIA
OE-XTW AS350B3 HELI TIROL
During our visit in Karres, suddenly 4 helicopters were scrambled, but it was too late to return back to Zams again to avoid mixing up our schedule. Continuing eastbound, we arrived at the Innsbruck. This is also a maintenance and crew training center of Oemtc / Heliair. Recently OEMTC bought the spare EC135 of the ANWB, the PH-EMS. She is not been repainted and still wears the sparkling yellow colors of the Lifeliners and her original skids.
Innsbruck Heliport
OE-BXG EC135P2+ POLIZEI
OE-XVA EC135T2+ OEMTC Christophorus 1
OE-XVE EC135T2 OEMTC
On our way to the next location, we already spotted the helicopter in the mountains, so we could take it easy.
Kaltenbach
OE-XLR EC135P1 SHS Heli 4
Further inside the Zillertal, the new base of Heli Tirol has been created. Just in between their 2 colleagues of SHS and HAT/Alpin. Their temporary base is created at the previous drop zone. Only since a few days, they could use a tent to protect against severe weather conditions.
Mayrhofen
OE-XLL MD900 HELI TIROL "Martin 7, Mayrhofen Bergbahnen" t/s
Continuing towards the end of the valley, we reached the last destination of today.
Hintertux
OE-XET EC135T2+ OEMTC Alpin 5
2-3-2015
We reached our first destination in the rain
Kufstein - Langkampfen
OE-XSH EC135T1 SHS Heli 3
3 years ago Christophorus 4 relocated to a more remote location. When we arrived, the base was completely covered in the fog. Unfortunately a 50 hour inspection was necessary and the helicopter EC135 remained inside.
Reith bei Kitsbuehel
OE-XEO EC135T2+ OEMTC Christophorus 4
We continued to the main base of SHS. Personally the OE-XML is one of my preferred EMS helicopter as it is painted in a beautiful Bordeaux red metallic colors. It used to fly for a long period as D-HRET for the ADAC from Koblenz.
Waidring
OE-XML EC 135 P1 SHS Heli 1
OE-XFS AS355F1 SHS
D-HTEN BELL 222UT SHS long term maintenance
As the Martin 6 in Hinterglemm is using the same machine for a long while, we skipped this detour and continued directly to Zell am Zee. On the ramp a Bell 412 was parked in Canadian CHC c/s. As it was still raining, we went inside the hangars. A previous German Bo105 was completely stripped. She flew for a while in Sierra Leone and before with DRF. At Wucher we found 2 helicopters.
Zell am See
D-HAJO BELL412HP AGRARFLUG
OE-XHO AS350B3 WUCHER
OE-XHC BELL205A-1 WUCHER
D-HLLL BO105CBS-5 long term maintenance, in pieces
Further eastbound to Sankt Johann im Pongau. The historical and famous hangar, used within the Medicopter117 series, has been scrapped and replaced by a modern hangar complex. One of the 2 hangars is already in use, but not completed yet. To protect against potential floods from the adjacent, river, a high wall has been created and build as a helicopter pad.
Sankt Johann im Pongau
OE-XII MD900 HELI AUSTRIA Martin 1
OE-XWW BELL412 HELI AUSTRIA long term maintenance, in pieces
OE-XLS AS350B3 HELI AUSTRIA
OE-XAG AS355F2 HELI AUSTRIA
OE-XGS AS 355F1 HELI AUSTRIA
Since this winter, the location of Martin 10 moved to Flachau. In this temporary location, also a large tent is used for protection and parking overnight. As we arrived shortly before end of duty, the MD900 was already inside.
Flachau
OE-XMM MD 900 HELI AUSTRIA Martin 10
3-3-2015
At Niederoblarn aerodrome, an OEMTC is based. She was completely without any markings as she is used for a Germany series on NDR about HEMS operations.
Niederoblarn
OE-XEY EC135T2+ OEMTC no t/s
4-3-2015
Heading home, we made visited the Polizei in Salzburg. The AS350 is mainly used for alpine missions. The EC135 is equipped with FLIR. Together with Vienna and Klagenfurt, 2 helicopters are on 24/7 standby for various duties.
Salzburg
OE-BXB EC135P2+ POLIZEI
OE-BXH AS350B1 POLIZEI
At a short detour, we found the next BMI helicopter.
Traunstein
D-HZSC EC135T2+ BMI Christoph 14
Munchen - Harlaching
D-HMUM BK117B2 ADAC Christoph 1
In February the first EC145T2 has been delivered by Airbus Helicopters. The double tail boom has been replaced with a fenestron tail. Because this brand new helicopter, may not be 100% reliable, a backup machine is available inside
Munchen - Großhadern
D-HDSC EC145 DRF-HDM Christoph München
D-HDSF EC145T2 DRF-HDM Christoph München
Our last stop was Airbus Helicopters. As we arrived around 5 PM, most activities were already finished. We still had 2 inbound Luftwaffe test flights.
Donauworth
74-45 TIGER UHT Luftwaffe / AIRBUS
98-50 NH90-TTH Luftwaffe / AIRBUS
D-HBPF EC135P2+ POLIZEI – BAYERN
Overall it was a colorful tour with a lot of variation in helicopters.
Regards,
Michiel
