The most modern helicopter currently in use in civil air rescue is now also flying in Stuttgart: an H145 started yesterday as the new “Christoph 51″. A glass cockpit with large screens, a powerful autopilot and a new interior concept in the cabin make work easier for the crew and contribute to even better patient care. Today the station also completed its 1,000th. Use this year.

Thomas Roth, station manager and pilot at the station, introduces the new “Christoph 51”: “We are very pleased that we can now put an H145 into operation here in Stuttgart, the most modern helicopter currently used in air rescue. Just a look into the cockpit shows the difference to the previous machine: All flight data – for example on the engines or the flight situation – are shown to us pilots on large-format displays. ”

On the weather radar, you can quickly recognize changing weather conditions at an early stage. The four-axis autopilot takes the pressure off the pilots because it can automatically take over control functions. The life-saving missions of “Christoph 51” are thus even safer. The sheathed tail rotor, the so-called Fenestron, also catches the eye: it is quieter, better protected from damage and offers rescue workers more safety on the ground.

An important component in emergency care

Dr. Gregor Lichy, head physician at the Stuttgart station, underlines the importance of “Christoph 51” for the region: “We are looking forward to working with the new machine. It is particularly suitable for the station’s tasks, especially the highly demanding transports between clinics. Our helicopter is an indispensable component of emergency medical care here in the region. ”The experienced emergency doctor also praises the new interior concept co-developed by DRF Luftrettung, which offers more space and swiveling seats for the crew and thus further improves patient care.

For transporting seriously ill premature babies in the so-called incubator, the “incubator”, ECMO transports (mobile heart-lung machine) or other medically demanding missions that the station regularly carries out, the H145 offers more space in the cabin, a greater range and more power even better conditions.

Yesterday the new “Christoph 51” was alerted four times, today the station also made its 1,000. Use this year.

The Stuttgart air rescue station

“Christoph 51” is alerted for urgent transport of intensive care patients between clinics and as a quick emergency doctor deliverer in emergencies. The crews reach locations within a radius of 60 kilometers in a maximum of 15 minutes by flight. The intensive care transport helicopter has been stationed at Pattonville Airport since 2009 and performs over 1,100 missions a year.