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Scramble 469
According to the news, the F/A-18s were grounded due to
cracks in the wings. In the morning we still saw seven mis-
sions operated by four different F/A-18s.
Meiringen 7 February 2018
A-103 PC-21 Pilotenrekrutenschule
J-5005, J-5012, J-5016 F/A-18C Swiss AF
J-5238 F/A-18D Swiss AF
It was very grey weather again, so we continued to Inter-
laken – Wilderswill. In addition to two A109SP’s, also the only
AS350B3e (H125) of the Rega was present. Delivered in August
2016, but rarely seen. She is mainly used for flight training.
Wilderswill 7 February 2018
HB-ZRN AW109SP REGA (Rega 10)
HB-ZRP AW109SP REGA
HB-ZRJ H125 REGA
Next heliport was at four kilometers distance in Gsteigwiller.
No activity outside, but they informed us that one of their
AS350s was grounded close to Unterseen. We decided to
search for this helicopter and we found her alongside the
main road. The objective was to lift tree trunks, but the
weather turned to be too foggy and operations were forced
to be stopped.
Gsteigwiler 7 February 2018
HB-ZNH, HB-ZNQ AS350B3e Swiss Helicopter
Unterseen-St. Niklausen 7 February 2018
HB-ZKT AS350B3 Swiss Helicopter
We used a shortcut to our next destination in Lauterbrunnen,
but alongside the road we spotted another grounded helicop-
ter between Interlaken and Wilderswill. This time a Kaman
1200. Also grounded while attempting to lift tree trunks.
Interlaken-Wagener strasse - Seilpark 7 February 2018
HB-ZIH Kaman 1200 Rotex
In Lauterbrunnen we only found two based Air Glaciers heli-
copters, including the HEMS EC135, previously operated by
SHS.
Lauterbrunnen 7 February 2018
HB-ZHY AS350B3 Air Glaciers
HB-ZRK EC135T1 Air Glaciers (ex OE-XXR)
The next day was planned in Wallis, so we continued via the
Lötschberg Tunnel. This is an open air tunnel of 14 kilome-
tres between Kandersteg and Goppenstein. It is operational
for 105 years already. After arrival in Wallis we stopped in
the heliport of Gampel-Bratsch. Shortly the HEMS helicopter
left for the next mission. She is the only EC135 of Air Zermatt,
which happened to be the first Swiss conversion to T3 model.
Gampel-Bratsch 7 February 2018
HB-ZEF EC135T3 Air ZermattWe started at the heliport of Raron, located south of the
old military airbase. It is also the maintenance base of Air
Zermatt. We were lucky to see their only AS315B Lama. The
EC130 also arrived from their Zermatt heliport.
Raron 8 February 2018
HB-XII SA315B Air Zermatt
HB-ZAZ EC130T2 Air Zermatt
HB-ZCX, HB-ZIA AS350B3 Air Zermatt
HB-ZKF AS350B3+ Air ZermattZermatt was one of the main targets of our trip. This village is
not accessible by car and you must use the train from Täsch.
The weather was still very grey, but when we approached
Zermatt and the altitude increasing, the scenery turned to
be very perfect; blue sky, huge amount of snow. The village is
at 1620 meters and during January it was disconnected twice
from the rest of the world due to avalanches which were also
blocking the railtrack. The remains of these avalanches could
be seen alongside the rail track.
The heliport was very quiet in the morning. Only a visit-
ing A109. After lunch activity increased with many heli-ski
flights and some airwork close to the heliport. Various pallets
of building material had to be lifted. At a certain moment all 4
spots were used by turning helicopters, while #5 was awaiting
her landing slot from the holding area. Eventually the entire
Air Zermatt fleet was seen. Conditions were very nice. We also
had an unexpected Italian visit of AB139 of Airgreen, based in
Aosta. She came in to collect an injured Italian patient. Mid-
afternoon we continued our journey towards Sion.
Zermatt 8 February 2018
HB-XQE A109E Swift Copters/GCC
HB-ZAZ EC130T2 Air Zermatt
HB-ZCX, HB-ZIA AS350B3 Air Zermatt
HB-ZPB, HB-ZVS AS350B3e Air Zermatt
HB-ZSU Bell 429 Air Zermatt
I-GREE AB139 Air Green