“The summer months are our busiest period for rescuing people stranded in the mountains,” explains Roy Knaus, ceo of Knaus Helicopter in Austria.

His company recently added to its fleet of helicopters when it acquired its fifth Eurocopter AS355 Twin Squirrel helicopter for use as an emergency medical service aircraft.

The company took delivery of the aircraft in January 2005, and now operates it from St Johann in Pongan, Austria, covering a 50km radius of the area.

The crew consists of a pilot, doctor and paramedic, who must have one or two years’ experience of aerial work and experience working in mountainous regions – in this latest fleet addition, the paramedic is a mountain guide.

Flying in mountainous regions demands specific expertise; the pilot must be able to land in difficult and dramatic weather conditions, poorly accessible places, sometimes flying at night.

Knaus Helicopter already has a number of other helicopters in its fleet, including two MD Explorers, also used for emergency rescue, two SA315 B, two AS350 B3, and a Bell Super 205. The other helicopters are used for aerial work, photography, filming and transport.

Knaus could not confirm whether the company was planning to further add to the fleet but he noted that the company was considering leasing at the end of the year.

The emergency rescue aircraft fly between 50 to 70 missions per month. The busiest period spans from June to October, when the number of tourists visiting the mountains increases. EMS is called out to rescue hikers stranded in the mountains, people involved in car and bike accidents, and even divers who get into trouble.

Rescue aircraft are permitted to land anywhere in Austria. For other aircraft, however, getting permission to land can be more difficult, with rules varying from state to state. “There are aerial limitations. You need special permission to land in national parks,” Knaus explained.

All of Knaus’ Eurocopters are fitted with NVFR avionics.