ADAC Luftrettung’s Christoph 15 celebrates its 45th year of service

Christoph 15 has completed more than 58,600 flights and 254 winch rescues over the last 45 years from its base in Straubing, and ADAC Luftrettung is celebrating this anniversary this week.

On 19 November 1977, a brand-new BO 105 Bölkow aircraft took off from Klinikum St. Elisabeth for the first time. This was the beginning of air rescue in southeast Bavaria, Germany.

However, the federal government withdrew more aircraft from the air rescue services because of cost issues during the 1990s, so the contract for the Straubing base was awarded to ADAC Luftrettung, taking over on 1 December 1995.

The BO 105 was changed to an EC 135 from Airbus Helicopters on 10 August 1998. This type is still in service today because it meets the requirements for Christoph 15. The helicopter's maneuverability makes it suitable for emergency medical missions, but it can also cover long distances for intensive care transfers, and also provides sufficient power for winch rescues. It is one of only six ADAC Luftrettung aircraft nationwide equipped with a rescue winch.

Last year, Christoph 15 was alerted 1775 times. Eighty-four per cent of these cases were so-called ‘primary missions’, where the helicopter had the function of an emergency ambulance, where crews provided treatment and transport to hospital.

Managing Director of ADAC Luftrettung, Frédéric Bruder, said: “My express thanks go to all employees, who save lives every day with full vigor and the highest level of professionalism, as well as to all partner organizations and supporters for the close, trusting cooperation that has existed for decades.”

Another one of ADAC Luftrettung’s helicopters – Christoph 31 – celebrated 35 years of rescue operations.