On the way to the EU helicopter exercise: an NH 90 that still smells like new…
(BRUSSELS2) That's it, let's go for the helicopter exercise in Viterbo, north of Rome. Departure from Brussels in Dornier 228. Device reduced to the strict minimum. The gate crossed, we go on foot in the plane, we go up in the bridge. And hop, belt, checklist, the propellers turn. It feels like a return to the early days of aviation. Very quickly, we leave the military zone of the airport to head for the runway, behind a Thomas Cook plane, which takes off towards the sunny shores. 1h30 later, we are above the Alps. The plane is not pressurized. And the assistant warns us: those who need it shouldn't hesitate to ask for oxygen (Nb: I should have asked for it, I'm having a bad headache on arrival). Arrival at the Italian base in Viterbo. We cross the hall where a vintage plane sits. Then transfer by helicopter, a brand new NH 90, is on the hot track of the Italian sun, which still smells good rubber (like a new car), towards the camp of Montromano, located on a small height, and where a been installed the exercise demonstration device. The Italians have planned everything, including the brass band and a small garrison of honor to welcome the officers, including the Chief of Staff, many of whom made the trip. For an hour and a half, the 32 helicopters evolve on the ground, according to a crisis management scenario.
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