We continued towards Regensburg where we were expecting our first 5-blade H145 of the DRF. After a long time waiting, we finally thought we would be awarded. But, just prior to landing, they got a new mission and they disappeared again. As we waited very long already, we continued to the next stop in Ingolstadt. Present was the D-HXAE decorated with anniversary stickers. This was a nice one, not only because it was previously operated by the ANWB as PH-MMT, based in Groningen.
We continued to the south. On Sunday 11th October we visited Zell am See. In addition to the well known OE-XAH of Alpine Heli 6, also a Wucher AS350 departed.
It was not very busy with Christophorus 4 at Reith bei Kitzbühel. The crew was spending their time in cutting the grass and creating a nice bucket of wild field flowers. The based helicopters was OE-XVL. This machine was captured a few years ago in Hungary as HA-ECD. Another bonus surprise.
After a nice cup of coffee, we continued to Kaltenbach. Based at Heli 4 was the OE-XRR, but she was still wearing Heli 1 stickers.
We passed Schwaz but, as expected, nothing could be seen. Next stop was Innsbruck heliport. Always nice to see familiar faces there again. The day was quiet and not much activity was going on. Not that long ago the Polizei received two new H125. One was currently based there. But, after a few minutes the silence suddenly stopped. An emergency call for the Polizei and the OEMTC! Both needed to depart instantly.
As a result we were ahead of our schedule. As the weather forecast was not so good for the next days, we continued to locations which were scheduled later that week. A good decision as the mission should last for a few hours. At Karres we found the MD902 from Saalbach on standby.
We were also able to reach Zams before sunset. We found the same helicopter as in previous visit, the OE-XEZ. But meanwhile she got updated to T3.
Moving to the next stop, Reutte. Due to some roadworks on the Fernpass a detour had to be made. We enjoyed the last sun rays in the beautiful scenery, but we arrived in darkness at the station. Earlier that day the based helicopter got swapped due to maintenance. A good reason to come back later that week.
Monday was the main target of our tour. An exercise of various German Polizei units from Fussen airfield. They had an exercise to practise high altitude flying in the Alps. They use Fussen as a temporary base. The locals were prepared as they cut the grass, as you can see on below picture. An EC135 from Brandenburg
Because the local cows were very close to the landing zone, they were moved a bit further away.
Five EC135’s of the Bundespolizei participated
And a Super Puma from Hangelar
Polizei Bayern participated in the morning with HBPC, equipped with an hoist
In the afternoon Bayern Polizei was replaced by the HBPE
EC145T2’s participated were from Polizei Baden-Württemberg and Nordrhein-Westfalen. The latter flew independent from the rest
All helicopters had their own program. 4 to 5 in the south west and 4 to 5 in the south east. After their exercise they grouped, each time in different formation types, before landing together.
All eight helicopters captured in one frame.
An invite to picture a nice lineup
Departure of the last mission for the day
Final return, prior to their return to Oberschleissheim
The Super Puma enjoyed making an high speed pass after each departure
Unfortunately the weather forecast for Tuesday was correct; the day was cloudy and rainy. As indicated the based ARA helicopter from Reutte was inside. The DRF EC145 was on duty on this day.
As we already visited on Sunday some locations, scheduled for this day, we had some time left and the opportunity to visit the Dornier museum in Friedrichshafen. It is not a very large museum, but it has nice opportunities to photograph. The eye catcher at the entrance is the Dornier 31E1, a VTOL transport aircraft. It went never into production, but it is much appreciated that she has been kept in nice condition.
This Dornier 28A1 once flew as 15+01
This Alpha Jet 41+05 is painted in the prototype c/s as 01. On left side in French colors, at the right side in German colors
This Dornier 228-100 participated as Polar 4 on behalf of the Alfred-Wegener-Institut für Polarforschung on polar research. Except the famous flying boats built by Dornier, they also produced under licence types as G91, UH1D, Atlantic. These were on display as well.
We also visited the local DRF. Christoph 17, based in Kempten, was also present at the helipad, so we could capture two helicopters at the local hospital.
DRF in Friedrichshafen is currently using the latest H135T3H model
On the way home, we also visited Christoph 22 in Ulm
And Christoph 41 in Leonberg
At Baden Airpark we spotted 5 DRF helicopters outside. Unfortunately we missed two H145M SAR’s who were present earlier. One arriving for maintenance and the second as a crew ferry.
Last stop for this trip was in Ludwigshafen, Christoph 5
It was a nice trip again. Five days well spend. We faced some impact due to Covid restrictions. But it did not have a large impact on the photo opportunities.
Best regards,
Michiel
