Rega, a Swiss Air-Rescue company, has ordered a
second batch of 12 five-bladed H145 helicopters to be operated
from its mountain bases.
The aircraft will replace the current fleet of
AW109SP helicopters and follows an initial contract
for nine H145s, announced in March this year.
By 2026, Rega will
operate an all-Airbus fleet consisting of 21 five-bladed H145s.
“By selecting the
five-bladed H145, we are ensuring that Rega will continue being
able to provide its patients with reliable and professional
medical assistance by air for the next 15 years,” said Ernst
Kohler, CEO of Rega.
Powered by two Safran Arriel 2E engines, the H145
has
full authority digital engine control (FADEC), the Helionix
digital avionics suite and includes a high performance 4-axis
autopilot.
The navigation system of the five-bladed H145s has been especially
tailored to Rega’s needs, enhancing mission
capabilities and the safety of operations.
The system will use new
capabilities of the Flight Management System GTN750 Xi by Garmin
and will integrate and control a multi-sensor system that provides
highly accurate and reliable navigation capacities.
Even in the
event of GPS signal loss, the helicopter will navigate safely
thanks to Thales’ inertial navigation system which will
further boost the navigation performance in low IFR conditions and
allows the helicopter to be certified as navigation procedure
RNP-AR 0.1, the most accurate navigation procedure in the
helicopter environment.
The configuration also includes a new
hoist by Vincorion that is being certified on the five-bladed
H145, ensuring highest safety standards.
“To effectively operate life-saving air rescue
services in Switzerland, we understand that the ability to perform
optimally at altitude is paramount,” said Bruno Even, CEO of
Airbus Helicopters. “The five-bladed H145 landed on the Aconcagua
in Chile, a mountain that is nearly 7,000 metres high – no other
twin engine helicopter has ever achieved this feat. That is why we
are especially proud that Rega has put its faith in the
five-bladed H145 and decided to make it the only helicopter type
in its fleet to perform such critical missions.”
Rega currently operates 14
HEMS stations in Switzerland and last year
carried out 14,330 helicopter missions, including transporting 471 COVID
patients.
