Swiss Air Rescue Service Rega ordered a second batch of 12 H145 five-blade helicopters to be operated from its mountain bases. They will replace the current fleet of AgustaWestland AW109SP helicopters. This new order follows an initial contract for nine H145s announced in March this year, enabling it to reach a fleet of 21 Airbus Helicopters by 2026.
«To effectively operate life-saving air rescue services in Switzerland, we understand that the ability to perform optimally at altitude is paramount,» says Bruno Even, CEO of Airbus Helicopters.
According to the manufacturer, the five-bladed H145s will come equipped with a state-of-the-art navigation system, specially tailored to operator needs that will enhance mission capabilities and safe operations.
The system will utilize the new capabilities of Garmin’s GTN750 Xi flight management system. It will integrate and control a multi-sensor system that provides highly accurate and reliable navigation capabilities. Even in the event of GPS signal loss, the helicopter will navigate safely thanks to the Thales inertial navigation system.
This solution will further boost navigation performance in low IFR conditions and allows the helicopter to be certified as RNP-AR 0.1 navigation procedure, which is the most accurate navigation procedure in the helicopter environment.
«The five-bladed H145 landed on Aconcagua in Argentina, a mountain almost 7,000 meters high; no other twin-engine helicopter has achieved this feat. That is why we are especially proud that Rega has placed its trust in the five-blade H145 and decided to make it the only helicopter type in its fleet to perform such critical missions,» concluded Even.
Rega operates 14 HEMS stations in Switzerland. Last year, helicopter crews performed 14,330 missions, including the transport of 471 COVID patients.
«By selecting the five-blade H145, we are ensuring that Rega will continue to provide its patients with reliable and professional medical care by air for the next 15 years,» says Ernst Kohler, CEO of Rega.
The new Airbus H145 five-blade helicopter
The H145 is the newest member of Airbus’ four-ton class twin-engine helicopter product range, with flexible mission capabilities tailored especially for high-altitude and high-temperature operating conditions.
A wide range of quickly and easily interchangeable optional equipment, such as emergency floats, rescue crane, searchlight, and cargo hook, are available for this aircraft. With its versatile cabin design, this multi-purpose helicopter is designed for emergency medical services and law enforcement duties, along with aerial work and passenger transport, including private and business aviation, as well as offshore operations.
The simplicity of the new bearingless main rotor design also facilitates maintenance operations, further enhancing the serviceability and baseline reliability of the H145, while improving travel comfort for both passengers and crew.
In total, there are more than 1,600 H145 family helicopters in service, logging a total of more than seven million flight hours. Powered by two Safran Arriel 2E engines, the H145 is equipped with full authority digital engine control (FADEC) and Helionix digital avionics. It includes a high-performance 4-axis autopilot, increasing safety and reducing pilot workload.
