Tourism Articles

Fishtail Air’s newest helicopter commenced its first commercial flight today, 11th April, 2013! The AS 350 B3+ single-engine light helicopter had arrived in Nepal on 29th March after having left Italy on 18th March 2013. I-VIEW is fitted with 5+1 passenger seat version and is constantly ready to undertake real challenges and special missions. As one of the most powerful machines, this helicopter can safely operate up to the altitude of 23000 ft. Over the years this powerful machine has proven its capabilities and saved many lives around the world at very high altitudes and adverse weather conditions. With the latest addition to its fleet Fishtail Air continues to strive on its path to provide the best of services to its valued passengers like it has been doing over the years.

Capt. Ashish Sherchan the Director for Operations has been promoted as an Executive Director of the company on 17^th of December 2012. Captain Sherchan has been looking after the operation department since company’s inception. Fishtail Air team wishes him a success for his new responsibilities and express our enthusiasm to work under his guidance and new visions.

Executive Director- Capt. Ashish Sherchan

With the end of the season we bid farewell to our Italian duo of Capt. Mountaineer Simone Moro and Capt. Piergiorgio Rosati (PIGI). We thank you for being such and important part of Rescue in the Himalayas and relatively a special part of Fishtail Air. We hope to see you again, soon. Ciao!

Our CEO Mr. Suman Pandey had a short questionnaire with Captain Piergiorgio Rosati before he left for Italy.

CEO (Mr. Suman Pandey): When did you arrive here in Nepal? How much have you flown in the Himalayas since you have been here

PG (Capt. Piergiorgio Rosati): I arrived here on the 4th of May and started flying from Lukla since the 15th. I’ve flown about 40-50 hours from the 15th to the 31st and I flew with most of your pilots. It was really really a good experience as all of them have a different way of flying and different approaches to things. It was really nice to share my experience with them.

CEO: How many hours have you flown before coming to Nepal?

PG: About 9000.

CEO: Was flying 40-50 hours a month good?

PG: Infact, it was less than a month, about 2 weeks.That was quality flying.

CEO: So, most of the hours must have been above 12,000ft?

PG: Yes, it was beautiful from 12,000 to 17,000ft almost at the base camp and flying at the ceiling of the B3 has really been wonderful.

CEO: Well, this year has been a wonderful achievement for the climbers as they have recorded the highest number of summiteers on the top of Everest this season. How did you feel as a pilot to be flying around that area and helping the climbers or being the hope of the climbers in case something went wrong?

PG: Well, actually you know its not really so different but one (with the helicopter) has to be really light to be able to climb and land in the glacier ofcourse. I think we did up to 11 landings in Everest Camp 2 and one above 6700m. With the B3 machine, it’s really not that hard to fly up there. It’s a matter not only of technique but also tactic you know, keeping track of the wind, how to work. All in all it was a really great experience for me.

CEO: So you’ve been flying up and down Camp 2 and sometimes 3. Did you perceive a feeling among the climbers that helicopters operating in and around the mountains was able to enhance their level of confidence in climbing knowing that there is rescue on standby if they needed.

PG: Yes, of course. Infact, I met one climber who said that until 5 years ago there was no way of calling for rescue as there were no cell phones or not many helicopters that could fly up there. Military rescue was the only option. But now they can call us anytime, in the afternoon or in moderate weather and in higher altitudes and no doubt we have one of the most powerful aircrafts that can fly that high.

CEO: During your flights in Nepal, have you ever come across flights that have made you proud or more like a lifetime achievement?

PG: No, not really. I’ve handled many rescue missions here and nothing that special as of now. Back in Italy I am used to flying with a doctor and a nurse on board but here its different. I’m flying here alone and someone puts the patient in the helicopter and all I can think of is getting him/her to where he/she can get immediate medical attention.

CEO: Have you felt like your presence in the rescue is like a life saving moment for the person being rescued?

PG: I don’t know about the life but sometimes you see these people crying out for help and when you are able to be there, it feels good.

CEO: Do you intend to visit us again?

PG:I would surely love to.

Fishtail Air team with Capt. Simone Moro

Fishtail team with Piergiorgio Rosati

From left: Capt. Simone Moro & CEO, Suman Pandey

From left: Capt. Simone Moro & Capt. Ashish Sherchan, Operation Director

From Left: Capt. Simone Moro & Executive Manager, Raju Neupane

From Left: Capt. Simone Moro & Exec. Manager, Pradeep Gautam

Two additional AS 350 series of helicopters have been added to Fishtail Air’s existing fleets. One AS350 B3 has already landed at T.I.A Kathmandu. Both Helicopters will be operational by March 2012. This will make Fishtail Air possessing once again the highest number of fleet in Nepal.

AS 350 B3 Helicopter being the most powerful machine can be operated with safe performance up to an altitude of 23,000ft. The Eurocopter A-Star 350 B series of helicopters have proven to be the most efficient helicopter for high altitude missions for Nepal.
Fishtail Air is a private airline established by professional entrepreneurs in 2001, consists of expert technical team. Fishtail Air’s helicopters are operated by well trained crew and maintenance personnel consisting of Nepalese and Foreign pilots.

Fishtail Air has so far performed numerous significant rescue operations. Some of the extraordinary missions are – “The world’s highest human sling rescue operation” operated in April 2010. The company’s helicopter had played an instrumental role in the “World’s Highest Cabinet Meeting”, conducted by the Nepalese Government on 4th December 2009, at Kalapatthar. Fishtail Air’s helicopters also assists in events like Everest Sky Dive.

Fishtail Air also specializes in Aerial Survey and Filming, Mountain Flights, Heli –Trekking, Pilgrimage Tours, Corporate Charters, Air Ambulance Services, and Project Support flights, Sling Operations, Trans- Border Flight and High Altitude helicopter rescue services.

Fishtail Air aims at providing additional services in the near future, as follows -

1. For safe, reliable, quick and economical operations, the company is placing one helicopter at Lukla and one at Pokhara.
2. With the expertise of foreign rescue pilots, professional mountain guides and well trained Nepalese Pilots, rescue flights will be conducted at different mountain heights, as and when required.
3. Helicopters will be equipped with FM Radio operating on special ‘Rescue Channel’. Expedition teams can communicate with our Aircraft from the Base Camp itself.
4. Special ‘Mail Transfer Service’ from the base camps shall be initiated for the Expedition teams.

Fishtail team at TIA