‘‘Far From A Swift Exit’’
Chris Melaisi reports from Austria as the alpine nation retires a rotary wing stalwart The Austrian Air Force bade farewell to its Sud Aviation (later Aérospatiale) Alouette III fleet at a fly-out ceremony in the Austrian Alps, ending a service career spanning almost 60 years.
The event, held at the Aigen im Ennstal base, was attended by the Austrian Minister of Defence, Klaudia Tanner, members of the Bundesheer (armed forces) including air force commander Gerfried Promberger and representatives from the United States and Leonardo Helicopters. The first of 29 Alouette III helicopters – split between 15 SE3160s and 14 SA316Bs – entered service with the Austrian Air Force in 1967, taking on a broad variety of roles including search and rescue (SAR), troop and equipment transport, aerial firefighting, medevac and reconnaissance, during which it amassed 198,000 flying hours on both domestic and overseas operations. The type’s time was called in December 2021, when Austria signed a government-to-government agreement with neighbouring Italy for the acquisition of 18 Leonardo AW169M light utility helicopters, comprising six AW169B training models and 12 advanced multi-role variants, the latter offering integrated mission equipment and weapons systems. The deal also included aircraft ground equipment, spare parts, technical publications, technical support and basic and advanced training, including simulators.
The Leonardo AW169 has replaced the Alouette III in Austrian service. An order for 18 examples has been placed, while options to double that number can be exercised
Ahead of visiting the Aigen im Ennstal base, situated in the heart of the Austrian Alps, the author made a rare airside visit to the Air Force’s Tulln-Langenlebarn base, situated 20 miles West of Vienna. Here, a number of assets are based including the OH-58B ‘Kiowa’s’, PC-6T, S-70A and maintenance training facilities which house a number of rarely seen, retired aircraft.
SA.316B Alouette III, 3EKX (c/n 2177), demonstrates the ageing type’s versatility during a display
^ A Bundesheer Pilatus PC-6T (3G-EE) sits in the sun at Langenlebarn, ahead of a morning training sortie.
^ Austria retired the Saab 105OE in 2020 but aircraft are still used by the maintenance and training facilities here in Langenlebarn.
A specially painted Bell OH-58B ‘Kiowa’ (3C-OK) rests on the ramp at its home base.
The SA316B has proven itself a reliable and capable platform for the Bundesheer and its 57-year service record is testament to that. Austria’s phasing-out of the type – a move previously made by Belgium, Denmark, France, the Netherlands, Portugal, the Republic of Ireland and Switzerland – means that the Armed Forces of Malta and Romania are now Europe’s sole Alouette III operator’s. The Austrian Air Force continues to operate a varied, albeit now more modern, rotary wing fleet, comprising Bell OH-58 Kiowas, Agusta Bell AB 212s, Leonardo AW169’s and Sikorsky S70 Black Hawks, which were also present throughout the day’s events.
^ 1976 built Bell OH-58B Kiowa (3C-OL)
^ Linz-based Agusta-Bell AB-212 (5D-HN)
Austria’s heavy lift-rotary capability comes in the form of Sikorksy S-70A-42 Blackhawk’s. Here 6M-BD is seen operating in the Alps.
Se.3160, 3E-KC (c/n 1387), was unveiled in this special livery in May ahead of the type’s retirement. It is framed against the mountainous scenery near its Aigen im Ennstal base
A trio of Alouettes – 3E-KZ (c/n 2329), 3E-KC (c/n 1387) and 3E-KA (c/n 1377) – in special schemes fly in formation, displaying the flags of Styria, Austria and the EU, respectively
This SA316B Alouette III, 3E-KU (c/n 2107), wears search and rescue markings, highlighting just one of the many roles this helicopter has fulfi lled throughout its 57-year career
< The Alouette III can be equipped with a Bambi Bucket for aerial fire fighting missions
After 57 years of loyal service to Austria, the aircraft bows out ahead of its retirement and replacement by the Agusta AW169
