REGA

History

Narrative Summary

Swiss Air Rescue (REGA) is a private, non-profit organisation that provides air rescue and emergency medical assistance in Switzerland and Lichtenstein. REGA mainly assists in mountain rescues and in cases of life-threatening emergencies elsewhere. REGA will also return a patron to Switzerland from a foreign country if they are in need of urgent medical care.

Swiss Air Rescue was first established in 1952 as a branch of the Swiss rescue association, Schweizerische Lebensrettungsgesellschaft (SLRG). Initially the focus was on providing medically trained parachutists, but soon small fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters were employed to deliver help more directly.

In 1960 Swiss Air-Rescue broke away from the SLRG and became a stand-alone organisation. Later the same year the first patient transfer flight back to Switzerland was carried out.

In 1979 the name REGA was adopted as a common name for the organisation across multi-lingual Switzerland.

Swiss Air Rescue – REGA now operates a fleet of 17 helicopters and 3 jet aircraft.

Key Dates

27 April 1952		Swiss Air-Rescue first established.
14 October 1952		First rescue carried out using a fixedw-ing aircraft.
22 December 1952		First rescue using a helicopter.
19 March 1960		Swiss Air-Rescue is re-organised.
May 1960		First patient repatriation fight carried out.
1979		REGA name officially adopted.

Current Status

The aircraft of REGA are fully operational.

Future Plans

No plans known.




Markings

National Insignia

Special Markings

Aircraft Serial Numbers

Aircraft operated by REGA carry standard Swiss civil registrations.

Unit/Base Codes

Coding system not used.




Aircraft

Aircraft Designations

None – Manufacturers designations used

Current Aircraft Inventory

Table of Current Service Aircraft

All-Time Aircraft Used List

All-Time Table of Aircraft Used

Aircraft NOT Used

No false reports known.

Aircraft Losses and Incidents

To be added.



Organisation

Main Headquarters

Swiss Air-Rescue, Rega Centre, P. O. Box 1414, 8058 Zurich Airport, Switzerland.

Organisational Structure

Swiss Air-Rescue REGA stations a helicopter at each of 13 locations around Switzerland. The patient repatriation service is provided by a sub-division called “Swiss Air Ambulance”. The call sign REGA 11 is avoided to prevent confusion over the radio with REGA 1. REGA 13 is not used for superstitious reasons.

Current Unit Assignments

Table of Current Unit Assignments

Historical Unit Assignments

To be added.

All-Time Flying Units List

To be added.



Air Bases

Current Air Bases

See unit assignments.

All-Time Air Bases Used List

To be added.




More Information

Books

1414 – Die Erfolgsgeschichte der Rega und ihre Gesichter (Franziska Schlapfer).

Magazines

1414

Websites

Wikipedia: Rega (Air Rescue)
REGA Official Website
heli-archive.ch
Helis.com
AB-Pic
Airliners.net