Behind the scenes – blog posts from Air Zermatt
Find out more about Air Zermatt, its employees and themes that affect the helicopter rescue company in the articles below.
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Air Zermatt gears up for the summer season
External partners and Air Zermatt employees receive training in a range of different courses for everyday situations in their work with helicopters. All are busy brushing up on their skills and teamwork for the upcoming summer season.
Stefan Portenier: “I’ve found my dream job”
Stefan Portenier worked at Air Zermatt for eight years. Three years ago, he completed the qualification to become a certified flight paramedic with a Swiss Federal Certificate of Competence, after which he supported the helicopter and ambulance rescue crews. Having completed many exciting missions, it’s now time for the 30-year-old to start a new chapter, and he will be leaving Zermatt.
Stefan Portenier first came into contact with Air Zermatt when patrolling the slopes of Zermatt; back then, he provided first aid to injured skiers. He then took a full-time position with the helicopter company in 2015: “My job title was task specialist, but I actually drove an ambulance,” Portenier remembers.
Gerold Biner: Over the six-thousanders in the Himalayas one last time
Gerold Biner and his team are currently in Manali, India. Every year, a group of pilots, task specialists and technicians travel to the town of Manali, located at an altitude of 2,000 meters, where Air Zermatt has a share in a heliskiing company. The pilots take advantage of the daily heliskiing flights to train their skills at altitudes of up to 7,000 meters. After 24 years of trips to India, Gerold Biner is probably training in the Himalayas for the last time.
“The passion for rescues is a lifelong feeling”
Philipp Imboden from St. Niklaus is a trained rescue dog handler. Along with his dog, Chilly, he flies on avalanche missions for Air Zermatt.
