Rega introduces new instrument flight system worldwide
Published: Thursday, Jul 18th 2024, 15:10
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Swiss Air-Rescue has received approval from the Federal Office of Civil Aviation for a new instrument flight system for approaching a hospital. It claims to be the first company in the world with this system.
The new instrument flight system was developed in close collaboration with the Federal Office of Civil Aviation (FOCA), the air navigation service provider Skyguide, the system designers and the helicopter manufacturer Leonardo, announced Swiss Air-Rescue (Rega). Skyguide, the Federal Office and Rega introduced it at Interlaken Hospital in the canton of Berne on Thursday after five years of development.
According to the information provided, it represents an improvement on the previously approved procedure by enabling even more precise navigation in poor visibility using autopilot. The basis for the approval was developed jointly by all stakeholders.
According to the FOCA, the aim in Interlaken is to gather experience. The Federal Office is working together with the European Aviation Safety Authority. This sets the standards for new helicopter procedures. With the world's first approval for the new system, Switzerland can play a key role in shaping these standards, as the FOCA wrote.
According to Rega, its strategy is "Rescue in all weathers". It is working with the Federal Office of Civil Aviation on a Swiss network for instrument flight routes at low altitudes. In this network, its helicopters fly a route stored in the on-board computer.
The network connects airports, airfields, Rega bases and now ten hospitals. A further seven hospitals are ready for approval for instrument flight procedures.
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