Скачать или смотреть MD902 medical helicopter at St. Johann im Pongau

We brought back one of our long-standing traditions: every winter, when the Austrian Alps are buzzing with helicopters, we spend a few days out filming them. This time, we visited Heli Austria’s main base in Sankt Johann im Pongau — a location famous for being the former base of the iconic TV series Medicopter 117 — and home to the Martin Flugrettung 1 rescue helicopter.

Heli Austria is one of the country’s largest and most versatile helicopter operators, active in areas ranging from air rescue and mountain operations to aerial construction and film work. Martin Flugrettung is the company’s dedicated rescue division, providing life-saving missions across Austria’s alpine regions where quick response times are essential.

During our visit, the crew was flying an MD 902 Explorer, developed by McDonnell Douglas (later MD Helicopters). This model stands out thanks to its NOTAR system (NO TAil Rotor), which replaces the conventional tail rotor with a directed air system, making it quieter, safer, and more stable. Powered by two Pratt & Whitney Canada PW207E engines, the MD 902 is known for its reliability, excellent performance in high-altitude conditions, and smooth handling — a perfect fit for demanding mountain rescue operations.