H145 with five-blade rotor put into service / Christoph 100 to start with new technology in future

Berlin

On January 2, 2024, the Christoph 100 rescue helicopter began its service in the capital, and the station has now undergone its first technical upgrade: Since Monday, a five-blade H145 rotor aircraft has been flying over Berlin under the name Christoph 100. The helicopter offers several advantages over its predecessor.

The name Christoph 100 remains, and nothing has changed in the red and white design of the rescue helicopter operated by DRF Luftrettung. There are some improvements for patients and crew with the model change: The five-blade rotor is quieter in the air thanks to the fifth rotor blade, and the emergency crew also benefits from a higher payload. For example, it can fill up with more fuel and cover longer distances during missions. “It is important for us to provide our patients with the best possible care,” emphasizes Tim Sweeresig, ward manager and pilot at the ward in Berlin-Buch. “We are therefore very pleased that we now have an H145 with five rotor blades available to us as part of the fleet modernization.”

Fleet Update

The first H145 helicopter with five-blade rotors was converted for station service at the DRF Luftrettung shipyard in December 2020. Since then, DRF Luftrettung has been continuously adding more H145s with five-blade rotors to its fleet. Berlin-Buch is the 19th station to receive a machine of this type. The DRF Luftrettung fleet is one of the most modern air rescue fleets in Europe.

Berlin-Buch station

Commissioned by the Berlin Senate Ministry of the Interior and Sport, the DRF Luftrettung began operating the Christoph 100 in Berlin-Buch on 2 January 2024. The station is the only one of the German DRF Luftrettung stations with extended off-peak hours and operates year-round from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. The pilots carry out missions in the dark using night vision devices, called night vision goggles. The Christoph 100 is alerted as a rapid emergency doctor in emergency rescue. The red-and-white aircraft, which is manned by two pilots, an emergency doctor and an emergency paramedic while on standby, can reach locations within a 60-kilometre radius in a maximum of 15 minutes by air. In addition, the Christoph 100 can be used for intensive care transport if necessary.

About DRF Aircraft

DRF Luftrettung, based in Filderstadt, is one of the largest air rescue organizations in Europe. The non-profit organization’s helicopters and ambulances take off on their missions from 32 stations at 30 locations in Germany. This includes emergency rescue missions, flights transporting seriously ill or injured people between hospitals and repatriating patients from abroad. Crews are available around the clock at twelve helicopter stations, and elsewhere during daytime operations with extended off-peak hours (6 a.m. to 10 p.m.). Helicopters equipped with rescue hoists are used at four locations. In total, DRF Luftrettung carried out 36,413 missions in 2023. The non-profit air rescue organization relies on financial support to continuously expand its life-saving mission. DRF eV already has around 400,000 supporting members by its side. More information at www.drf-luftrettung.de

Press contact: DRF Luftrettung Rita-Maiburg-Straße 2 D-70794 Filderstadt [email protected] Marcia Kantoks Tel. +49 711 7007-2214 [email protected]

Additional materials: www.presseportal.de Source: DRF Aircraft