Transporting a cow with a broken leg from its alpine pasture down to the valley, extinguishing a forest fire, rescuing a lost hiker: helicopters are used in various private and public activities, with private sector activity largely comprising the transport of people and goods or emergency and rescue missions.
In comparison with other aircraft, helicopter operations involve one-of-a-kind challenges requiring unique skills. Whether air transport or surveillance, rescue operations or medical evacuations, helicopter operations require special training for both pilots and ground personnel.
It is important to bear in mind that the number of helicopter-related incidents reported each year varies significantly, but the overall numbers are low. Analysing the categories and identifying developments and trends is only possible to a limited extent.
