Three of TAF Helicopters' fleet of AS350 B3s are helping the Catalan government protect the environment. Joan Carol, development director, says that one helicopter is dedicated to protection operations and two others are on call. "These two are based in the Val d'Aran region of the Pyrenees and are focused on mountain operations. But they are used on request by the Geological Institute to measure the thickness of snow cover in different areas that can only be reached by helicopter."

Carol adds: "The institute uses the results to estimate river levels during the spring thaw."

The wholly dedicated AS350 B3 carries out missions that include the enforcement of hunting laws protecting animals including deer and chamois. "Activities are diverse," Carol says. "They range from forest surveillance in the summer months to prevent fires, re-stocking rivers with trout, monitoring waste run-off in rivers and performing maintenance in nature parks such as setting up river crossings."

TAF was founded in 1959 to carry out aerial photography. Its initials originate from Trabajos Aereos Fotograficos which is Spanish for aerial photography work. Carol says: "Our fleet of some 28 helicopters have now logged well over 170,000 flight hours and perform a wide range of missions including emergency medical services, mountain rescues, aerial work and photography."