Like the last winter-spring seasons, once again we were heading south to visit Alpine region. This year we visited the southern part heading for the main target to catch some regional helicopters.
In 2013, we had a successful, but too short visit, in Courchevel. This year we spend the whole day. Altiport Courchevel is located at 2008 mtrs. The runway has a length of 525 mtrs and a gradient of 18.5%. Only small aircraft can operate from this field. Landing is only possible from the north east direction, taking off only possible toward the north east. Only VFR approach and turn-around doesn’t exist as you will fly towards the mountain. Not for scary pilots, it has to be right the first time.
Saturday, 8th March
Landing uphill while they are preparing the skislope
Another MBH AS350
SAF EC135
Azur Helicoptere
Monacair EC155 departing from the airport side, creating his own brown out
Mooney leaving the curved runway
The right combination of skiieng and aviation
Heli Securite AS350
A fancy coloured Gazelle is based at Courchevel, leaving to Saint Tropez
SAF-SAMU EC135 was very busy on this day
Our taxi for the next day...
Sunday, 9th March
We had the opportunity to join the heli-ski operation in Bonne-Valsigrenche with Pellissier Helicopters. Valle d’Aosta is the most famous region for this type of sport in Europe. There are over 20 landing spots.
Leaving St. Pierre
A119 Koala leaving for another heli-ski flight.
Backdrop remains impressive
After returning to the valley, we thought we should be in time to visit the HEMS base. We didn’t expect that passing security could take a full hour. The field only has a handful of international flights through the year, so we were a thankful victim of the security. Only 4 minutes prior to sunset we were on the ramp!
Monday, 10th March
Another AB139 of Air Green on Torino-Aeritalia. Due to the haze, the mountains were not visible
In the Air Green facility in Cafasse a large variation of helies was present. This AB412 just returned from a famous movie about the HEMS operations.
A109A
SPOTter friendly AB412
Milano-Bresso is the home of a spanish registered AB139 of Inaer
Inaer operates with an EC145 for Elisoccorso Bergamo
At Caiolo-Sondrio airport, Elilombarda also operates a AB139
Already on standby for the fire season, supporting the Regione Lombardia
The Como lake houses a Aero Club with small aircraft on floats
The Como HEMS has been relocated to a less photo atractive location
At Borgosesia we finally had a flying AW139. This heli is owned by Air Green, but operated by Inaer
Wednesday 12th March
Heading north alongside the Lago Maggiore we visited Locarno-Magadino
Junior pilot returning on his 2nd solo flight
PC6 was used to practice for the local parachute team
Rega 6 is based here as well
Eliticino with the old and new facility of Rega in the background
A more colourfull Heli Rezia is based at San Vittore
Heli Rezia also operates a SA315B Lama
Heli TV arrived with another Lama for maintenance
In Lodrino we found an ex Austrian PC7 and PC9 of Swiss AF
Erstfeld is the base for Rega 8
On the other site Swiss Helicopter is based. AS350’s are still in Heli Gotthard c/s
I hope you liked them
Michiel
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