A spring clean for the forest –
logging with Air Zermatt
Spring is here, and while many households are already clean as a whistle, it’s also time for some important maintenance in our forests. Regular felling is particularly necessary in protection forests, which help to safeguard against avalanches and rockfalls, so they can continue to perform this important function. And this is where Air Zermatt comes in, using its experience of logging to support forestry services and municipalities in the removal of felled timber – efficiently, safely and sustainably.
Many forests are not just valuable recreational areas, but also home to numerous wild animals such as hares, roe deer and stags. Probably their most important function, however, is to protect residential areas, roads and infrastructure from natural hazards. If a protection forest is neglected, it gradually loses its stabilizing effect – a dangerous development for all those who live below.
It is therefore extremely important that foresters intervene regularly and cut down selected trees. Measures aimed at promoting forest wildlife also create areas where wild animals can find food. But how is the felled wood removed from areas that are difficult to access? This is where the Air Zermatt helicopters come in.
Logging with Air Zermatt – airborne expertise
In addition to air rescue, Air Zermatt is also a popular service provider in the commercial sector. And one of its specialties is logging, i.e. transporting tree trunks by helicopter to a predefined collection point.
The process is very well planned: First the foresters fell the wood, and then they prepare it for transport together with Air Zermatt’s task specialists, before the helicopter flies the logs out of the forest. The task specialists play a central role here, securing the logs with special steel logging ropes and coordinating their removal on the ground. The process calls for absolute precision, as each log must be attached securely and stably before being picked up by the helicopter. Task specialists and pilots coordinate accurately via radio to make sure everything runs smoothly. After each rotation, the task specialists are ready at a new location for the next collection. It is vital that these task specialists are both physically fit and surefooted for this work. The concentration on their faces is clear, as every second demands their full attention. There’s no room for a single mistake.
And as for the pilots, they also have to be not just experienced but also physically and mentally in top form. Logging is one of the most demanding transport flights in helicopter flying. One false move can cause the line to start vibrating uncontrollably and create a potentially dangerous situation as a result. Air Zermatt’s pilot are well-prepared for missions like these, and take on the challenge with a cool head and precisely controlled movements.
A proven and future-proof process
Most of the forests in Valais are owned by the civic community, and many of them already depend on Air Zermatt as a reliable partner in the logging process. The combination of experience, state-of-the-art technology and high efficiency makes this method the best solution for sustainable forest maintenance. It helps to keep the protection forest intact, and makes sure it can perform its protective function for both people and nature.
Logging not only saves time but also protects the environment, as no additional access roads are needed. While traditional timber transport can often take weeks, Air Zermatt can retrieve timber from difficult-to-access areas in just a few hours. This reduces the impact on the ecosystem and allows the protection forest to continue to meet its purpose.
With its expertise, Air Zermatt not only ensures safety from the air, but also makes an important contribution to sustainable forest management.
