They fly faster and further, are bigger and stronger: the “Krone” was on a sightseeing flight with one of the new Leonardo AW169 in Aigen im Ennstal.
The helicopter hovers above the ground for a moment and then turns towards Grimming. “The wind is blowing from the right,” Brigadier General Wolfgang Luttenberger’s voice can be heard over the headphones. There is vibration in the new Leonardo AW169. “We don’t want to do that to our guests,” says the pilot – then it is better not to go to Grimming and instead drive around the rainy Ennstal.
In the event of an emergency, the military pilots at the air base in Aigen obviously cannot take the stomachs of passengers into account. They rescue victims, transport soldiers and equipment, blow up avalanches and can make firefighting flights with up to 1,000 liters of water. “The Leonardo AW169 is a flying computer,” said Brigadier General Gerfried Promberger, commander of the air force.
Completely different from its predecessor, the Alouette III, or as Promberger says: the flying winter garden. After more than 50 years, the Italian Leonardo replaces the Alouette. In the future there will only be this and the Black Hawk helicopter.
The fleet should be complete by 2028
The AW169 has a winch half as long, can fly from Langenlebarn to Hohenems without refueling, is quieter, more agile and twice as fast with a maximum speed of 280 km/h. Ten people can fly with you. “There are reconnaissance cameras, armament with larger caliber guns on board, guided and redirected missiles,” says pilot Wolfgang Luttenberger. The fleet plus training and infrastructure costs 870 million.
Five of the helicopters are already at Fiala Fernbrugg Air Base and have been in regular use since the beginning of this year. “By the end of the year there will be nine,” says Defense Minister Klaudia Tanner (ÖVP).
Maintenance of the new helicopters in Aigen
The federal army has purchased a total of 36 helicopters, twelve of which will be stationed in Aigen. The entire fleet is maintained in the small town of Styria: the armed forces have already conducted 160 job interviews in November to fill the necessary positions with technicians and the like. The hangar now resembles a high-tech facility more than a workshop, as it was in the Alouette era.
Here too, 26 pilots are needed. “There is also a women’s initiative; so far we have only four female pilots in Austria,” says Promberger.
The residents of Ennstal can expect an influx, but they must also prepare for night flights again. Because the crew prepares for all eventualities – whether wind, rain or fog.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
