SAF Hélicoptères

An international player in the helicopter industry for over 40 years, SAF Hélicoptères provides its expertise to local authorities, companies and private individuals.
Our professionals and specialised teams respond quickly to support our customers in their aerial work, medical evacuation – EMS and Search and Rescue projects.

Our Values

SAF Hélicoptères is unwavering in its dedication to fostering a culture centered around service excellence and mission accomplishment. Each day, our teams wholeheartedly embrace and embody the aeronautical principles we cherish: Safety, unwavering Respect for commitments and individuals, a spirit of Solidarity, and a commitment to fostering team spirit.

These values form the bedrock that unites everyone engaged in our operations – whether they are customers, suppliers, employees, or other stakeholders. They provide a shared foundation, fostering mutual trust and encouraging active participation from all, as we collectively commit to the successful and secure execution of both routine and extraordinary operations that bind us together.

Jean-Louis-Camus

Our History

Since 1979
A non-profit organization originally established to assist the Alpine population during challenging circumstances, SAF Hélicoptères expertise extended its expertise to reach far beyond the Alpine region, reaching every corner of France and the globe. Since then, SAF Hélicoptères has developed and structured its services to become a key player in the helicopter industry, while maintaining a strong attachment to the values that have earned it its reputation of honor and distinction.

1979

Secours Aérien Francais association founded, St Foy, France By Roland Fraissinet.

1981

Secours Aérien Francais works in collaboration with Air Provence, then creates SAF Exploitation to have its own dedicated fleet.

1984

Secours Aériens Francais and SAF Exploitations become SAF Hélicoptères, Service Aérien Français.

1989

February 9, 1989 Rolland Fraissinet was killed at the controls of his helicopter during a rescue mission.

1990

1990 Founding of SAF Indutries Albertville, France

2006

  • Acquisition of Helicap, French EMS operator
  • Foundation of SAF Group, bringing together all SAF Group companies

2007

Foundation of the SAF Training Academy.

2014

Founding of SAF INTERNATIONAL, Switzerland specialist in heavy haulage.

2016

Acquisition of Helilagon, Indian Ocean

2021

  • Foundation of SAF HÉLICOPTÈRES Belgium
  • Acquisition of Starlite Aviation, Africa and Middle East

2022

Restructuration,

  • SAF Groupe devient SAF Aérogroup,
  • SAF Training Avademy becomes X-Aero Training Academy,
  • SAF Industrie becomes Aerosupport Force

210
Employees, Collaborators
180
as Crew Member
43
Helicopters
30
Bases
17000
Flight hours every years

Notre Flotte

SAF Hélicoptères manages a fleet of helicopters exclusively tailored for aerial work and mountain rescue missions. Our collection, comprising both single and twin-engine helicopters, undergoes frequent enhancements to consistently align with the most rigorous international standards. This commitment to regular upgrades ensures that our helicopters are equipped with cutting-edge technology, enabling us to maintain the highest levels of performance and safety in our operations.

AS350 – H125 Aerial works

Operations Gross-Weight Passengers Payload Engines Blades Cruise-Speed Range Endurance
Operations Gross weight
 Passengers Payload Engines Blades Cruise Speed
 Range Endurance
Aerial works
 2250kg | 2800kg With External Cargo 5 or 6 up to 1400 kg external Cargo
 1 Arriel 2B1 | 1 Arriel 2D 3 251km/h | 136 kts 630km 4h 27min

EC135-H135 EMS

Operations Gross-Weight Passengers Payload Engines Blades Cruise-Speed Range Endurance
Operations  Gross weight
 Passengers Payload Engine Blades Cruise Speed Range Endurance
EMS 2835 to 3100 Kg 2 1 Stretcher 2 Arrius 2B1 | 2 Arrius 2B2 4 252km/h | 136kts 630km 3h 36min

AW 109 Trekker EMS

Operations Gross-Weight Passengers Payload Engines Blades Cruise-Speed Range Endurance
Operations Gross Weight Passengers Payload
 Engines Blades Cruise Speed Range Endurance
EMS 3175kg 3 1 Stretcher
 2 PW 207 4 275km/h | 50kts 867km 4h 30min

EC145 C2 Mountain Rescue

Operations Gross-Weight Passengers Payload Engines Blades Cruise-Speed Range Endurance
Operations Gross weight
 Passengers Payload
 Engine  Blades Cruise Speed
 Range Endurance
Mountain Rescue
 3585kg 3 1 Stretcher

1 Hoist

 2 Arriel 1E2 4 240km/h | 130kts 680km 2h 45min

EC145 C2 EMS

Operations Gross-Weight Passengers Payload Engines Blades Cruise-Speed Range Endurance
Operations Gross weight
 Passengers Payload
 Engine  Blades Cruise Speed
 Range Endurance
EMS
 3585kg 3 1 Stretcher 2 Arriel 1E2 4 240km/h | 130kts 680km 2h 45min

H145 D3 EMS

Operations Gross-Weight Passengers Payload Engines Blades Cruise-Speed Range Endurance
Operations Gross Weight
 Passengers Payload Engines Blades Cruise Speed
 Range
 Endurance
EMS 3800kg up to 3 up to 2 Stretchers 2 Arriel 2E 5 240km/h | 130kts 650km 3h 35min

SA332 – H215 – H225 Aerial Works

Operations Gross-Weight Passengers Payload Engines Blades Cruise-Speed Range Endurance
Operations Gross Weight
 Passengers Payload Engines Blades Cruise Speed Range Endurance
 Aerial Works
 9,150 kg to 11 000 kg – up to 4500 Kg external cargo
 2 Makila 1A1 | 2 Makila 2A2 4 262km/h | 140kts 640 to 850km 3h20 to 4h00

Since 2021, SAF Hélicoptères has been an entity of SAF AEROGROUP

SAF AEROGROUP comprises of several companies, collectively covering every facet of the aviation and aeronautics industry. Recognised on an international scale, these entities specialise in the following fields: flight operations, maintenance support and logistics, training, aircraft sales, and consulting. What unites each company within SAF AEROGROUP is a commitment to shared values: dedication to human values and solidarity, an unwavering emphasis on safety, a culture of innovation, and a steadfast commitment to sustainability.

  • Flight operations
  • Maintenance support and logistics
  • Training
  • Consulting and aicraft Sales

OUR OPERATIONAL BASES

Our specialised teams operate throughout the French territory and internationally to support our private and public clients in their aerial work projects, medical evacuations, and rescue operations.