Pro RP: What is your current position?
I’m the president of the “Vuichard Recovery Aviation Safety Foundation” (
VRASF.org). We’re a non-profit organization and I’m proud to serve as an international helicopter safety expert, keynote speaker, flight instructor, and producer of new safety videos to improve global helicopter safety. In Switzerland, I also run a small flight school for advanced training that includes mountain ranges. Then I worked for the Swiss government for 25 years.
I was also honored to serve as a pilot for Swiss presidents and ministers for 14 years. Additionally, I had the privilege of supporting the Swiss government in over 20 years of SAR operations for overdue aircrafts.
RP: Tell me about your first experience with helicopters.
My first helicopter was the Bell 47 G3 in 1980, the so-called “aeronautical mother’s milk”. I got my PPL and CPL in it and combined it with a SA135 B Lama conversion. These helicopters are completely different in performance, but offer incredible views! Having flown many other types on critical mountain rescue missions, I missed the incredible view I had from my first two types.
RP: How did you get your start in the helicopter industry?
After I got my CPL (H), I actually had the problem that I didn’t have any money left to fly and nobody really hires a pilot with 150 hours. Then I tried to take flights with relatives and friends, but that dried up quickly. Afterwards I was able to do ferry flights in Europe and realized immediately that such flights are also very demanding. Then I got my first job for a TV studio with a Bell 206. After that, I joined another company where I was able to build up my experience with a Lama in sling operations. A big step came when I joined Air-Zermatt. There, I also gained experience as a rescue pilot. Back then, we flew rescues at night without night vision goggles, GPS or wind information. That was very demanding.
Meet a otor
Claude Vuichard
RPMN: When and how did you choose the helicopter industry? Or did it choose you?
I have been fascinated by helicopters since I was a child. After completing my technical degree, I was thrilled to finally make my childhood dream come true and start my helicopter training!
It was a personal decision to enter the helicopter industry, despite the lack of certainty about what to expect in this profession and the number of critical decisions a helicopter pilot must make on a daily basis. I was fortunate to have the opportunity to participate in a huge number of remarkable missions, including supply and construction flights and numerous rescue operations in challenging mountainous terrain, such as the Matterhorn. Then I worked for the Swiss government for 25 years.
I was also honored to serve as a pilot for Swiss presidents and ministers for 14 years. Additionally, I had the privilege of supporting the Swiss government in over 20 years of SAR operations for overdue aircrafts.
RP: If you were not in the helicopter industry, what else would you see yourself doing?
It is a challenging question, particularly given my 44 years of experience in the helicopter industry. I have flown fixed-wing aircraft throughout my career, from mountain landings to being a captain of a business jet. However, I have always remained committed to helicopters.
As a rescue pilot, I had the privilege of directly saving many lives. There are undoubtedly other intriguing roles where one can assist others. I am also drawn to medicine and the latest developments in that field. And I find the world of photography and film very fascinating.
RP: What do you enjoy doing on your days off?
I absolutely love traveling with my partner and our camper van, especially from Switzerland to neighboring countries. We also do a lot of tandem cycling and then drive across all the possible passes through the Alps. Other outdoor activities such as skiing, snowshoeing and hiking are on the agenda too.
10 Sept/Oct 2024
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