Rega Helicopter Locarno | Frontaliere Ticino
Rega Helicopter Locarno — free tools and expert guides for cross-border workers (frontalieri) between Switzerland and Italy. Compare salaries, tax, LAMal health insurance, pensions, and cost of living in Ticino. Updated 2026.
Context
The Rega base in Locarno has taken delivery of a new rescue helicopter, an Airbus H145 D3, which arrived at its destination this morning at 10 am, piloted by Rega's chief pilot, Mario Agustoni. The new aircraft offers optimal conditions for rescue operations and guarantees a greater power reserve during interventions. The Rega base in Locarno is the first to switch to the new helicopter, which replaces the AgustaWestland AW109 SP Da Vinci. The choice of the Airbus H145 D3 was driven by the need for a more performing and versatile aircraft, capable of operating in adverse weather conditions and transporting a larger number of people. The new helicopter is equipped with a more powerful engine, which allows it to reach a maximum speed of 250 km/h and climb to an altitude of 5,500 meters. Additionally, it is equipped with an advanced navigation system and a search and rescue device that uses GPS and radar technology. The Rega base in Locarno serves a vast area that includes the municipalities of Locarno, Ascona, Bellinzona, and Lugano, and the new helicopter will be used to intervene in emergency situations throughout the region. For example, in 2022, the Rega base in Locarno carried out 234 rescue operations, of which 145 were in the municipality of Lugano and 56 in the municipality of Locarno. The new helicopter will be able to reach the most remote municipalities in the region in shorter times, thanks to its greater speed and autonomy. The official presentation of the new helicopter will take place on April 16th in Bellinzona, where its technical and operational characteristics will be illustrated. Rega has invested 8.5 million Swiss francs in the purchase of the new helicopter, which was financed in part with its own funds and in part with contributions from public and...
Operational details
The new helicopter has a higher useful cargo capacity of 150 kilograms compared to the previous model, thanks to the new five-blade rotor. This guarantees the crew a greater power reserve during interventions, for example in rescue operations in remote areas such as those found in the municipalities of Airolo or Bedretto, where the availability of resources and infrastructure can be limited. Additionally, the fifth blade of the rotor reduces vibrations in the cabin, improving working conditions for the crew and reducing the risk of fatigue during long missions. The helicopter's cabin has been completely redesigned and offers optimal conditions for rescue operations. For example, the new layout allows for easier access to patients and improved management of medical equipment. A new navigation and avionics system in the cockpit will enable more precise approach procedures in instrument flying, reducing the risk of errors and improving the safety of operations. Additional lights will provide better illumination of landing areas on the ground during night operations, such as those that frequently occur in the Locarno area, where the presence of lakes and mountains can make nighttime navigation difficult. According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations of 2020, rescue helicopters must be equipped with advanced navigation systems and high-intensity lighting devices to ensure the safety of nighttime operations. The new Rega helicopter in Locarno has been designed to meet these requirements, with an investment of 5 million Swiss francs. The operational checklist for the new helicopter includes daily checks of the navigation and avionics systems, as well as weekly checks of the additional lights and cabin. Compared to the previous model, the new helicopter off...
Key points
Rega is an air rescue organization that operates in Switzerland and offers emergency medical services and search and rescue operations. The Rega base in Locarno has been active since 1980 and operates in a challenging region, with a mountainous and lake-filled territory that includes municipalities such as Ascona, Losone, and Ronco sopra Ascona. The new helicopter represents a significant improvement for the Rega base in Locarno and will enable it to provide assistance to people in emergency situations even more effectively. In particular, the new helicopter will be able to quickly reach remote areas of the region, such as the Onsernone valley or the Maggia valley, where roads are narrow and winding. This will be possible thanks to the helicopter's technical characteristics, which include a maximum speed of 250 km/h and an autonomy of 4 hours. Additionally, the helicopter will be equipped with advanced equipment, such as a GPS navigation system and a thermal search device. To learn more about Rega and its services, you can visit the official website, where detailed information on rescue operations and equipment used is available. Additionally, to calculate your net salary in Switzerland, you can use our salary calculator, which takes into account Swiss tax regulations, such as the income tax, which was modified in 2020 with the federal law on the reform of individual taxation. The law provides for an income tax of 10% for incomes up to 14,000 Swiss francs, and 11.5% for incomes between 14,000 and 56,000 Swiss francs. Furthermore, the law provides for a deduction for transportation expenses, which can reach up to 3,000 Swiss francs per year. For example, if a Ticino worker has an annual income of 60,000 Swiss francs and spends 2,000 Swiss francs per year on transportatio...