Safety with precision thanks to Air Zermatt’s technicians
Usually, when an Air Zermatt helicopter takes to the air, all eyes are on the crews. But every safe takeoff is a backed up by the much less visible force of the Air Zermatt technicians, working with passion and meticulous precision to make sure everything goes to plan.
The technicians’ work is about nothing less than perfection, and begins long before a helicopter takes off. Regular maintenance intervals, scheduled checks after a certain number of flight hours and spontaneous repairs are their bread and butter. Certain particularly sensitive components are checked with extreme care, as even the most minor irregularities can have serious consequences. This is why nothing is left to chance.
Two areas, one mission
The Technical Department is made up of 13 team members, each assigned with a different task (admin, CAMO (Continuing Airworthiness Management Organisation), Part 145). In addition, two of the technicians are qualified avionics technicians (aircraft electricians).
The department is divided into two areas: Line Maintenance and Base Maintenance. Line maintenance is performed in Zermatt with regular checks at intervals specified by the manufacturer. Base maintenance is performed in Raron, where helicopters are sometimes completely dismantled so individual parts can be tested and reassembled. And then, only once every screw is in place and every movement has been precisely recorded, is the machine allowed back into use.
No compromise on safety
“Safety is our key responsibility,” say the Air Zermatt technicians. The ‘two-person rule’ is non-negotiable, meaning that one technician carries out the check and another reviews it. Only when everything is secure is the helicopter pushed out of the hangar, and a technician takes one last look at the machine just before take-off. Safety first.
There’s no room for error. Air Zermatt’s technicians don’t let the pressure of the situation get in the way – their entire focus is on working as a team to ensure the utmost precision. “We don’t allow ourselves to feel pressure. That’s when mistakes are made. But we know that our work protects people, which is why we check each other’s work and every movement has to be perfect.”
A long day behind the scenes
As the pilots and rescue crews take to the skies, the technicians carry on with their often invisible but essential work. They document every check, plan the next maintenance work and are always on hand if there’s a problem. And as the helicopters return to base after a long day, the technicians are starting their next shift – performing checks, maintenance and repairs, late into the night if needed.
Alongside the rescue crew, which is on duty around the clock, the technicians are the first to arrive in the morning and often the last to leave in the evening.
Challenges and pride
One of the technology department’s key challenges is organization. The helicopters have to be in the air as much as possible – but the more flight hours they complete, the more maintenance they need. A complex puzzle that calls for new solutions each and every day. But the end of a maintenance cycle brings the greatest reward: “When a helicopter takes off again safely after a major inspection, we know we’ve done everything right and it fills us with pride,” says a technician with a smile.
Working behind the scenes
Air Zermatt’s technicians are rarely in the spotlight. The technical department works with passion and meticulous precision to make sure that pilots and rescue crews can focus fully on their mission. They are the ones behind the scenes who make a key contribution to enabling Air Zermatt to function smoothly, day in and day out.
