Aiut Alpin Dolomites
“Aiut Alpin Dolomites” It is a voluntary association registered in the Authorities of Social Economic Utility Registrar (Onlus). It is formed by seventeen individual Mountain Rescue Teams which are associated and operate mainly in the Ladin Valleys of the Dolomites mountains.
Aiut Alpin Dolomites was officially founded in 1990, although technically, the private association – registered as a non-profit social utility organisation – has been operating since 1987. Its goal is to provide mountain rescue services in the Italian Dolomite mountains, an area that has long been popular among climbers, and more recently for winter and extreme sports enthusiasts.
Towards the end of the 1960s in Italy, the Light Aviation Army group began to operate with various Agusta Bell helicopters. A department (then called ALE-Altair) was also operational in Bolzano at the IV Corps de Armata, located at San Giacomo airport. It is thanks to this military department that helicopters were introduced into the alpine rescue service in Alto Adige in the early 1970s. Since, in peacetime, the main task of the army consists of military training, carrying out rescues in the Dolomite mountains were a great way for the pilots to practise.
In the mid-1980s, a rescue was performed in Val Gardena using a Lama helicopter, which was brought in from an outside company for the occasion. For the first time, a rescue basket was used hanging on the barycentric hook, which brought with it new possibilities and alternatives in mountain rescue.
In the Spring of 1986, a dozen helicopters, all different, were brought in to perform 15 rescue scenarios. These included several civil and military versions from Agusta-Bell, a Lama Aerospatiale and a BK117. A few months later, the first rescue helicopter was leased, and an Alouette III soon joined the team. The rest, as they say, is history.
Headquartier
The main base of Aiut Alpin is situated within the Dolomites mountain range in Pontives.The facility is organized and equipped for the highest reactivity in Helicopter Emergency Medical Service requested by the emergency call centre 112 and includes rooms for pilots, technicians, medical and paramedical staff, hoist operators, rescuers and dog handlers.
It is the first one in Italy authorized for night operations (NVIS Single Pilot). The base in Pontives is also the ideal gateway for panoramic flight and aerial works over the Dolomites, heli-ski activities, and shuttle links between Austrian and Northeastern Italian airports and spots.
EC-135T3: an outstanding performer
One of Airbus’ most successful light aircraft, the H135 is known for its endurance, compact build, low sound levels, reliability, versatility and cost-competitiveness. The H135 comes with the lowest operating and maintenance costs in its class.
This twin-engine helicopter can perform different missions, and can land almost anywhere, particularly in high and hot conditions, while carrying more payload over longer distances than other rotorcraft in its category.
In the Spring of 1986, a dozen helicopters, all different, were brought in to perform 15 rescue scenarios. These included several civil and military versions from Agusta-Bell, a Lama Aerospatiale and a BK117. A few months later, the first rescue helicopter was leased, and an Alouette III soon joined the team. The rest, as they say, is history.
Since March 2015, Aiut Alpin Dolomites has been the proud owner of an H 135 T3, the first to be sold worldwide by Airbus Helicopters. The aircraft is equipped with a 90-metre-long hoist and a fixed rope attached to a double hook human cargo, vacuum mattress and winch bag.
The EC135 T2 and T3 are produced at the Airbus Helicopters plant in Donauwörth, Germany, along with the EC145 C2 and T2 variants, as well as the EC635 and EC645 (military versions of the EC135 and EC145, respectively). The plant also produces the Tiger attack helicopter and NH90, along with a CH-53 upgrade program for the German Army and composite doors for the fixed-wing A350 XWB airliner.
Mountain Heroes TV Series
In 2013 Dmax Italia, broadcasted a TV serie about the rescue operation and helicopter activities focused on the east part of the Italian Alps: The Dolomites. Here the promo of the series visible on Youtube.