Already for a number of years, Rega has been able to fly in poor visibility to various central hospitals in Switzerland along predefined instrument flight routes with the aid of satellite navigation and the on-board computer. All of the flight procedures certified to date are based on the classic RNP approaches. The new RNP-AR (Required Navigation Performance Authorisation Required) procedure, for which certification has now been granted to Rega for Interlaken Hospital, in combination with the ultra-modern navigation equipment in the helicopter is considerably more accurate than that currently deployed, thus allowing even greater precision in navigation. This in turn enables approach flights to be performed safely in highly confined spaces in poor visibility using the autopilot – a huge advantage in mountainous or adverse terrain. Rega is the first helicopter operator in the world to be certified to use a RNP-AR procedure for approach and departure flights.
Specifications for certification drawn up together
Modern RNP-AR procedures make extremely high demands on the navigation precision of the helicopter, and until recently criteria according to which certification could be approved did not even exist. However, some time ago Rega set itself the goal of being able to use this procedure, and to this end brought together all the various protagonists who would need to be involved in drawing up these specifications around the same table. In the past years, in close collaboration with FOCA, helicopter procedure designers, helicopter manufacturer Leonardo and other experts, intensive measurement flights were conducted, risk assessments calculated, and new instrument flight routes drawn up and tested. As a result, a catalogue of certification criteria was created and Rega was able to submit the necessary supporting documents. Subsequently, FOCA examined the documentation and has now certified the procedure. Besides the technical demands made on the helicopter, in particular the basic and regular training of the Rega cockpit crews in the organisation’s own helicopter simulator is a prerequisite for being able to fly according to this procedure.
Innovation thanks to cooperation
This global milestone in helicopter aviation would not have been possible without the great commitment and close cooperation of all those involved. This example shows that innovation is also possible in a strictly regulated environment, as is the case in aviation, provided that the various stakeholders work closely together and are willing to work constructively on new solutions. Rega is extremely pleased to have achieved this in collaboration with FOCA and to have taken a major step forward in its endeavours to continuously improve air rescue services for the benefit of the Swiss population.
An increasing number of hospitals can be flown to despite poor visibility
For many years, Rega has been pursuing its vision of all-weather air rescue and taking measures to be able to help even more people in distress. The Swiss Air Force and Rega have been working together with the Federal Office of Civil Aviation (FOCA) for a number of years to develop the so-called Low Flight Network (LFN), a countrywide network of instrument flight routes, and to implement the corresponding approach flight procedures. When visibility is poor, the helicopter flies along a flight route stored in the on-board computer, rather like on a motorway – a considerable benefit in terms of safety. These IFR flight routes link airports, airfields, Rega bases and in particular hospitals with each other. Currently connected to the LFN are the Inselspital in Berne, University Hospital Zurich, Lucerne Cantonal Hospital, Winterthur Cantonal Hospital, the Swiss Paraplegic Centre in Nottwil, St. Gallen Cantonal Hospital, the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Switzerland, Aarau Cantonal Hospital, and the hospitals in La Chaux-de-Fonds and Interlaken, as well as the Rega helicopter bases in Berne, Locarno und St. Gallen. In addition, certification applications for instrument flight procedures at Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV), Geneva University Hospitals (HUG), and the hospitals in Rennaz, Chur, Davos, Porrentruy and Delémont have been pending for months.