We started on 11th May in Erfurt-Weimar. The Polizei Thüringen operates with 2 helicopters. Their nice colors are painted on the EC145. We just missed their 2nd helicopter, the BO105 which went out for a long mission. Unfortunately we could not wait such a long time ….
Next location was Bad Berka heliport, the location of Christoph Thüringen. After a short while the helicopter was moved to the roof helipad.
Christoph 70 is operated by the ADAC from Flugplatz Jena-Schöngleina with an EC135. After a short while we could capture the departure of the next mission.
Halle-Oppin is a very interesting location if you are interested in helicopters. ALT has a maintenance facility for mainly ADAC machines. 4 helicopters were present. The D-HOEM was making a test flight.
Also present is DRF. Christoph Sachsen-Anhalt just arrived, while Christoph Halle leaves for her next mission. Also present were 2 backup machines.
Also on ADAC Luftrettungszentrum Dölzig 2 helicopters are based, Christoph 61 and 63. Both were very busy and could not be captured together. The whole area is surrounded with a fence, so taking pictures from outside is no problem.
The last location of the first day was Christoph 46 in Zwickau.
The second day also started with the Polizei. In Dresden Polizei Sachsen is based. They operate with 3 helicopters: 2 EC135T2+ and their latest EC135T3.
First we could picture the T3. This machine has been upgraded from T2 version.
After a while, the T2+ returned from her first mission for a short fuel stop. In addition to the longer rotor blade length, the T3 has no vertical stabilizer and a smaller bulb below the fenestron.
Also present in the same hangar is Christoph 38, EC135 of DRF. Due to the length of the visits, we were forced to skip 2 locations and continued to Czech Republic for an appointment in the afternoon.
The first location was Ústí nad Labem. DSA operates here the Kryštof 15 in a very interesting color scheme.
We continued to the Policie in Prague-Ruzyne. At the oldest part of the airport, the Policie is located in a very historic and authentic hangar. In total, they operate with 8 EC135’s, of which 3 are fitted with the HEMS kit. Main base is Prague and other locations Brno and Ostrava (since 22nd May). Here the Kryštof 01 arrives from a mission.
On standby was another EC135, fitted with FLIR and torch.
In addition, for the heavier duty, 6 Bell 412’s are used, of which 5 traditional machines and the last with digital cockpit. We understood it is the only helicopter of this subtype in Europe. Easy to recognize as it is the only in full blue colors. The team was very supportive to move the Bell outside for better photo opportunities
After some waiting, the last Bell returned from a mission
The last part of the afternoon was reserved for the Airforce museum in Kbely. A very interesting museum, but unfortunately not all aircraft sufficient space was reserved for taking nice pictures. The hangars are too dark. Probably even more interesting are the many stored aircraft outside the museum at Kbely. These cannot be photographed, but let’s be positive that these are still present and not scrapped yet. Hopefully they will ever be in better condition. As an example the SM-1Wb.
.The next day we visit the European Helicopter Show at Hradec Králové. The main sponsor / organizer of this event is DSA. Over 60 aircraft and helicopters were present and there were plenty photo opportunities.
During the show a large traffic accident was simulated. Helicopters were supporting to rescue with transporting doctors, rescue teams, evacuating patients, dropping water via bambi buckets, etc. Here 3 HEMS helicopters in action.
A previous Policie BO105 is still operational in her 2nd life
The humid and hot weather was slightly changing into dark clouds
Sokol W3 returning from SAR demo
Mi171 in front of serious bad weather
After the rain shower, it became sunny again
We left Czech Republic for a short while in northerly direction. Next morning we visited Aerodrome Komprachcice nearby Nowa Wies. The callsign of the local LPR is Ratownik 23 and they operate with the new H135/EC135P3. Currently operating from a temporary tent. Within a short while, they will be relocated again.
At Glywice aerodrome Ratownik 4 is based with a EC135P2+.
In the afternoon we visited the large aviation museum at Kraków-Rakowice. From photography point of view, much more space was available. It includes a large collection of Polish history, but also various western aircraft.
The museum also includes 1 operational helicopter, the PZL W-3 Sokol of the Policja
Within the hangar 2 Kania’s were still present without rotors
On Monday we were invited to visit the LPR location at the military part of Kraków Balice. Their station is currently located and squeezed within the civil and military ramp in front of the new control tower. The military ramp is being expanded again. As the team was out on a mission, we needed to wait a while for their return
In the afternoon we visited the historical sites of Ausschwitz – Birkenau. Then we left Poland and visited Ostrava. The organization of HEMS locations changed by 1st January 2017, due to new awards in the intention to reduce overall costs. Once of the consequences was that Alfa Helicopters ceased their operation. Partly they were taking over by Heliair, a subsidiary of OEMTC. Therefore, Kryštof 05 operates still in main colors of Alfa Helicopter, but carrying the titles of the new owner and Austrian registration.
Since a few weeks, also Policie operates from this location. The next morning, we started at Olomouc. Until December, Alfa Helicopter operated this location as Kryštof 09. Now it is the first Czech location of Air Transport Europe. They operate with Agusta A109, previously used by Rega.
The next visit was Brno-Tuřany. Also here the Policie operates the HEMS service as Kryštof 04, previously Alfa Helicopters. In addition, were present an EC135 and Bell 412 in Police service.
We left Czech Republic again and continued to Krems. The local Christophorus 2 operates the only EC135T3 from the OEMTC. Unfortunately, she was replaced by a regular helicopter, a few hours prior to our visit.
Next station was Christophorus 9. Since 5th April they have been moved from the previous location in Aspern to the roof helipad at the new OEMTC HQ in Wien. A very modern prestigious building where all activities of OEMTC are centralized. Obviously the eye catcher is C.9 location. On the left side, she still wears the signs of the 120 years’ celebration of the mother company.
On Wednesday morning we started with the Polizei location within Wien. The location Meidling supports the Wien region, but is also maintenance facility for the whole Polizei. During our visit an AS355N and EC135 were maintained. The OE-BXZ left to Bad Voslau for training purposes.
We also went to Bad Voslau to visit the mountain rescue training exercise. OE-BXG and OE-BXZ were used to practice with the rope rescue exercise.
One of the main objectives of the 2017 trip was the only Bell 206 still in use. Fortunately, she was also present in Bad Voslau.
After attending this training event, we continued to Wiener Neustadt, the main base of Christophorus 3 and the ITH. Both were present, as well as an additional EC135 which was used for pilot certification
The next station, Oberwart, was an important for me. I have now visited every HEMS location in Austria.
Last location of this day was Graz. First we visited the Polizei
Within the hangar was still present an AS355F, still wearing the old BMI colors. This helicopter is not operational anymore and awaiting her faith.
Just outside the airport, close to the museum, you can find the base of Christophorus 12
Due to the scheduled visit on Friday, we were forced to drive north again. Next morning we visited Christophorus 15 in Ybbsitz
Followed by Flughaven Linz where we visited the Polizei
As Christophorus 10 is located next door, this could be photographed as well
We left Austria again towards Czech Republic. 3 out of the 4 targets where achieved: 1) visit the last station of Polizei, 2) last HEMS station and 3) all Polizei helicopters on picture. Remaining objective is to photograph the last OEMTC helicopter.
In Czech Republic we closed the day with the visit of Kryštof 12 in Jihlava. This is the 2nd location of Heliair
During this visit we heard some classic noise from the nearby local aerodrome. Tante Ju was present for some sponsor flights
Always nice to see these classic aircraft
We had a late arrival in Pardubice, but could still hear the helicopters until very late. Therefore, it was no surprise it was a non flying day during our visit on Friday. We had an excellent base visit and were able to have a good understanding about the activities of the CLV. The CLV operates with Let39C
MilMi 17
MilMi 2, here departing to the Mi2 celebration in Inowroclaw (PL)
Let 410
EV-97 Eurostar (only 1)
Zlin 142C
The next day we visited the airshow in Caslav. We have been very lucky over the last week to have lots of sunshine. On this day there was no opportunity to see the sun. Three local Gripens where on display
But also the historic MIG 15UTI
The last location in Czech Republic was Liberec, where Kryštof 18 is based
On the way home, we also visited Senftenberg, the home base of Christoph 33 (with EC135P2+) and 71 (with EC145T2/H145).
As we missed the BO105 in Erfurt during the previous visit, we tried for the 2nd attempt. Fortunately, the Polizei was very cooperative and we were able to take photograph of the last B0105 in German Polizei duty. Time of replacement is not known yet
With the visit to Erfurt, we closed the loop and completed the large circle within central Europe.
Best regards,
Michiel
