German air rescue

Christoph 41 (DRF)

Established 1973

Founded in March 1973 as the first DRF service, in the Stuttgart area and moved to Leonberg on 1 June 1986.

Christoph 41 is based near Stuttgart and can reach emergency locations within a 60-kilometer radius in a maximum of 15 flight minutes.

News

Christoph 41 Celebrates 40 Years at Leonberg Base

Jun 12, 2026 · DRF Luftrettung’s Christoph 41 is marking 40 years of operations from its Leonberg base. The air ambulance has provided emergency medical services in the Stuttgart region since 1973 and remains a key part of Baden-Württemberg’s rescue network.

Locations

1973-1986	EDDS STR	Flughafen Stuttgart
1986-		Kreiskrankenhaus Leonberg

Models

1973-??	MBB Bo105
1973-??	Aerospatiale SA316B Alouette III
1990-??	MBB Bk117
1996-2024	Eurocopter EC135
2024	Airbus H135T3H
2025-	Airbus H145D3

Airframes

Reg	Version	C/N	Built			Location	Note
D-HALT	se3160	1214		1973-03		Stuttgart	1st ever mission of DRF Luftrettung helicopter. Departed Stuttgart Airpor…w/o 1981

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