Swiss Air-Rescue Service chooses nine H145 helicopters with five blades for their service fleet.
Rega Upgrades Fleet with New Five-Bladed Airbus H145 Helicopters
The Swiss Air-Rescue Service, Rega, has ordered nine new Airbus H145 helicopters, marking a significant upgrade to their current fleet. These new helicopters will come equipped with a five-bladed rotor system, enhancing lift performance, payload capacity, and ride comfort.
The five-bladed rotor design is bearingless, which simplifies maintenance operations and improves reliability. This, in turn, contributes to higher operational availability and safety. The new H145 also incorporates advanced systems such as full authority digital engine control (FADEC) and the Helionix digital avionics suite, which includes a four-axis autopilot. These improvements aim to reduce pilot workload and improve mission safety.
The new navigation system will use the Flight Management System GTN750 Xi by Garmin and will integrate and control a multi-sensor system. This system will provide highly accurate and reliable navigation capabilities, ensuring safe and efficient operations.
The new H145s will replace the current four-bladed versions and will allow Rega to further boost its mission capabilities and safety of operations. The helicopters will be powered by two Safran Arriel 2E engines.
In 2021, Rega's helicopter crews carried out 14,330 missions, transporting 471 COVID patients. With the new H145s, Rega aims to continue providing efficient and safe emergency medical and rescue services.
The new hoist by Vincorion, being certified on the five-bladed H145, will also contribute to the helicopter's enhanced capabilities. Rega operates 13 HEMS stations in Switzerland, and the new H145s will play a crucial role in their operations.
Even in the event of GPS signal loss, the new H145s will navigate safely thanks to Thales' inertial navigation system. This system ensures that the helicopters can maintain their course and altitude, providing an added layer of safety in critical mission scenarios.
With these upgrades, Rega is well-positioned to continue its vital role in emergency medical and rescue services, offering safer, more efficient, and more versatile operations.
The upgrades at Rega include not only the new five-bladed Airbus H145 helicopters but also the integration of advanced technology solutions, such as the Helionix digital avionics suite, full authority digital engine control (FADEC), and the Flight Management System GTN750 Xi by Garmin. These advancements in technology and finance are aimed at improving mission safety and enhancing the industry's aerospace capabilities.
The enhancements in the new H145s, including the five-bladed rotor system and the inertial navigation system by Thales, contribute to increased operational reliability, safety, and efficiency, allowing Rega to maintain its leading role in the provision of emergency medical and rescue services.
