LUXURY AND UTILITY COMBINED - Eurocopter

34 IN THE COCKPIT
FISHTAIL AIR
RESCUE
ON THE ROOF
OF THE WORLD
With its capability to manoeuvre the world’s highest
peaks, the Ecureuil AS350 B3 has become an essential
ally when it comes to saving lives in extreme conditions.
The recent longline rescue of three mountain climbers
is a perfect example.
On April 29,
3 Spanish
mountain
climbers were
rescued on Mt.
Annapurna (8,091 m) in the Himalayas
after having been stranded on the mountain
for 36 hours due to bad weather. The
climbers were rescued thanks to a new
aerial service offered by two operators
specializing in high-altitude rescues: the
Nepalese company Fishtail Air and the
Swiss company Air Zermatt. Since the
ARTICLE: GLORIA ILLAS
ROTOR JOURNAL - NO.87 - OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2010
service began in early spring, the Swiss
team and the Ecureuil of Fishtail Air have
performed a number of important missions
at high altitudes. However, this rescue of
the three Spanish climbers deserves special
mention: not only because it took place
at 6,900 meters, while the maximum certified
altitude of the AS350 B3 Ecureuil is
only 7,000 meters, but also because of the
daring rescue method used.
The operation, known as a “longline” or
“human sling” rescue, is a risky business that
requires a versatile and reliable helicopter,
© Fishtail Air
not to mention a seasoned and determined
pilot with a sure hand. A rescuer is lowered
from the helicopter on a cable, which
may be extended up to 200 meters before
reaching the climber. The injured climber
is then attached to the cable and both are
lifted away by the helicopter and transported
to the nearest medical center. First used in
the 1970s on the north face of the Eiger, this