DRF Luftrettung, April 12, 2025 - On April 10, DRF Luftrettung added its 40th H145 helicopter to its fleet at the Airbus Helicopters production site in Donauwörth: a further step in the consistent fleet renewal of the non-profit organization, which operates Europe's most modern fleet in civil air rescue and has comprehensive expertise in the operation and maintenance of the H145.
Roman Morka, Chief Technology Officer of DRF Luftrettung, acknowledged the successful partnership with Airbus at the handover ceremony: "We received the world's first aircraft of this type in 2014 and put it into service in 2015. Our thanks go to Airbus Helicopters for the long-standing and trusting cooperation. Over the past ten years, the H145 has impressively demonstrated its optimal suitability for the challenging conditions of modern air rescue, particularly in missions in the dark and highly complex transports between hospitals. With Airbus Helicopters, we know we have a strong and reliable partner at our side, with whom we can also implement innovations and further developments that continually advance the work of our crews."
Thomas Hein, Sales Director for Europe at Airbus Helicopters, present at the handover ceremony emphasized the long-standing partnership between DRF Luftrettung and Airbus Helicopters: "We thank DRF Luftrettung for their continued trust in Airbus Helicopters, our products, our service, and especially in the H145, whose history is closely linked to DRF Luftrettung. All of us at Airbus Helicopters are proud of this cooperation and of supporting DRF Luftrettung with our helicopters and services in its important mission of saving lives 365 days a year."
The helicopter was transferred to the DRF Air Rescue maintenance facility at Karlsruhe/Baden-Baden Airport this afternoon. All necessary installations will be completed there over the next eight weeks before the aircraft enters base operations. The aircraft mechanics and avionics engineers are implementing a total of 18 modifications to the aircraft, 15 of which are proprietary developments by DRF Air Rescue. In addition, the medical equipment for the H145 cabin is being installed, enabling crews to provide comprehensive care at the scene of even the most serious injuries and illnesses.
Synergy effects through future-oriented fleet strategy
Last year, DRF Luftrettung retired the last EC135 from its fleet. Since then, it has operated exclusively with H135 and H145 helicopters. Focusing on these two state-of-the-art models reflects the highest quality standards for patient well-being and increased efficiency in its fleet strategy: This allows for standardized training for pilots, technicians, and medical personnel to ensure interoperability, and personnel can be flexibly transferred to other stations if necessary.
Thanks to their larger dimensions and higher payload capacity, the H145 aircraft are ideally suited for "dual-use" operations, i.e., both for rapid primary emergency rescue and highly complex secondary transports between hospitals. This allows additional personnel, such as pediatricians, and extensive medical supplies to be transported. The H145 is also perfectly suited for missions in the dark, where two pilots are in the cockpit.
D3 5-blades rotor
DRF Luftrettung is once again demonstrating its innovative strength: As the world's first operator of the H145 aircraft, we have worked with Airbus Helicopters to develop the processes for the retrofit to a new five-blade rotor system. These now serve as a template for all future conversions.
With the SB retrofit available since May 2021, the EASA Part-145 maintenance organization DRF Maintenance enables all H145 (BK117 D2) operators worldwide to upgrade their helicopters to the new version (BK117 D3) and benefit from the detailed experience of the MRO organization.
Advantages of the new rotor system
- The conversion to the five-blade rotor significantly increases performance. The new system makes the helicopter lighter, increasing the maximum takeoff weight to 3,800 kg. This means more cargo on board, more fuel capacity, and longer flight ranges.
- With the five rotor blades, the helicopter stays even better in the air, which provides more flight comfort for the crew and patients.
- The jointless main rotor head improves maintenance: no oils, no greases, and no bearings are required.
Components of the conversion
- In addition to the rotor blades and rotor mast, the SB retrofit includes other helicopter parts that will be replaced during the conversion, as well as modifications to the main gearbox, battery replacement, and software updates. A total of 16 service bulletins will be processed.
- A landing gear damper is removed because it is no longer needed, electrical wiring is modified and an additional hydraulic pump (for ground tests) is installed.
Roman Morka, Chief Technology Officer of DRF Luftrettung, acknowledged the successful partnership with Airbus at the handover ceremony: "We received the world's first aircraft of this type in 2014 and put it into service in 2015. Our thanks go to Airbus Helicopters for the long-standing and trusting cooperation. Over the past ten years, the H145 has impressively demonstrated its optimal suitability for the challenging conditions of modern air rescue, particularly in missions in the dark and highly complex transports between hospitals. With Airbus Helicopters, we know we have a strong and reliable partner at our side, with whom we can also implement innovations and further developments that continually advance the work of our crews."
Thomas Hein, Sales Director for Europe at Airbus Helicopters, present at the handover ceremony emphasized the long-standing partnership between DRF Luftrettung and Airbus Helicopters: "We thank DRF Luftrettung for their continued trust in Airbus Helicopters, our products, our service, and especially in the H145, whose history is closely linked to DRF Luftrettung. All of us at Airbus Helicopters are proud of this cooperation and of supporting DRF Luftrettung with our helicopters and services in its important mission of saving lives 365 days a year."
The helicopter was transferred to the DRF Air Rescue maintenance facility at Karlsruhe/Baden-Baden Airport this afternoon. All necessary installations will be completed there over the next eight weeks before the aircraft enters base operations. The aircraft mechanics and avionics engineers are implementing a total of 18 modifications to the aircraft, 15 of which are proprietary developments by DRF Air Rescue. In addition, the medical equipment for the H145 cabin is being installed, enabling crews to provide comprehensive care at the scene of even the most serious injuries and illnesses.
Synergy effects through future-oriented fleet strategy
Last year, DRF Luftrettung retired the last EC135 from its fleet. Since then, it has operated exclusively with H135 and H145 helicopters. Focusing on these two state-of-the-art models reflects the highest quality standards for patient well-being and increased efficiency in its fleet strategy: This allows for standardized training for pilots, technicians, and medical personnel to ensure interoperability, and personnel can be flexibly transferred to other stations if necessary.
Thanks to their larger dimensions and higher payload capacity, the H145 aircraft are ideally suited for "dual-use" operations, i.e., both for rapid primary emergency rescue and highly complex secondary transports between hospitals. This allows additional personnel, such as pediatricians, and extensive medical supplies to be transported. The H145 is also perfectly suited for missions in the dark, where two pilots are in the cockpit.
Retrofit H145 D2 to D3
D3 5-blades rotor
DRF Luftrettung is once again demonstrating its innovative strength: As the world's first operator of the H145 aircraft, we have worked with Airbus Helicopters to develop the processes for the retrofit to a new five-blade rotor system. These now serve as a template for all future conversions.
With the SB retrofit available since May 2021, the EASA Part-145 maintenance organization DRF Maintenance enables all H145 (BK117 D2) operators worldwide to upgrade their helicopters to the new version (BK117 D3) and benefit from the detailed experience of the MRO organization.
Advantages of the new rotor system
- The conversion to the five-blade rotor significantly increases performance. The new system makes the helicopter lighter, increasing the maximum takeoff weight to 3,800 kg. This means more cargo on board, more fuel capacity, and longer flight ranges.
- With the five rotor blades, the helicopter stays even better in the air, which provides more flight comfort for the crew and patients.
- The jointless main rotor head improves maintenance: no oils, no greases, and no bearings are required.
Components of the conversion
- In addition to the rotor blades and rotor mast, the SB retrofit includes other helicopter parts that will be replaced during the conversion, as well as modifications to the main gearbox, battery replacement, and software updates. A total of 16 service bulletins will be processed.
- A landing gear damper is removed because it is no longer needed, electrical wiring is modified and an additional hydraulic pump (for ground tests) is installed.
Airbus H145D3
Karlsruhe Baden-Baden See also |
H145D3 in
DRF Luftrettung 
Air Medical Ambulance Services 
