Swiss helicopter aviation needs a reduction in legal regulations. The constantly growing density of regulations in European aviation is threatening the existence of Swiss helicopter companies. EASA Director Patrick Ky is open to simplifications — but he did not make any concrete promises.
At the general meeting of the Swiss Helicopter Association (SHA) in Wilderswil (BE), President Martin Candinas called for the European Aviation Safety Agency EASA to simplify its regulation and allow Switzerland to issue guidelines that take into account its specific needs. Switzerland requires a range of applications from its helicopter companies like hardly any other country in the world.
This must also be taken into account in the regulations. Speaking to members of the Swiss industry association, EASA Executive Director Patrick Ky was impressed by the performance of Swiss helicopter companies. EASA is certainly interested in simplifying regulations. Improving safety in helicopter aviation is the top priority.
Switzerland is probably the country with the highest helicopter density per capita and helicopters play a very important role, especially in mountain areas. However, Ky did not make any concrete promises to reduce regulatory density.
Pilots' retirement as a bone of contention
Since its founding 25 years ago, the Swiss Helicopter Association has been calling for streamlined helicopter aviation regulations. The SHA is currently fighting for the currently approved exception to leave the retirement age of pilots for passenger flights at 65 years to be extended. The current EASA rules set the retirement age at 60 years.
An exception for Switzerland is certainly possible, said Patrick Ky. However, Switzerland must prove how it intends to ensure the operational readiness of pilots over 60 years of age. A decision on the Swiss request for an exemption had not yet been made.
As an industry association, the Swiss Helicopter Association (SHA) promotes the interests of helicopter companies in Switzerland and the Principality of Liechtenstein. SHA members operate more than two thirds of commercial helicopters in Switzerland and Liechtenstein. Thursday's general meeting in Wilderswil (BE) was the twenty-fifth of the association.
Christian Gartmann is the communications and media representative of the industry association Swiss Helicopter Association (SHA).