Leonardo Company:
In 2018 we celebrate the 25th anniversary of the introduction into service in Tatra Volunteer Search and Rescue (TOPR) of the W-3A Sokół helicopter produced by PZL-Świdnik
Leonardo Company:
The first W-3A Sokół helicopter for TOPR left the production lines in PZL-Świdnik exactly on 12th February 1993, and its “baptism” in TOPR took place a few days later, i.e. on 18th February 1993
Leonardo Company:
In March 1993 the first TOPR-operated Sokół initiated on-call rescue duties. It was a gift from the Chancellery of the Polish President Lech Wałęsa for the benefit of mountain rescue services performed by TOPR
Leonardo Company:
The rotorcraft used by TOPR is not just a specialized emergency machine provided with medical equipment meeting top standards.
Leonardo Company:
Thanks to Sokół, rescuers and medics take advantage of the great mobility in the mountain area
Leonardo Company:
Rescuers on board Sokół are experienced and fearless climbers. Tatra mountains reach up to almost 2500 meters above the sea level
Leonardo Company:
The equipment of the Sokół also enables the crew to undertake direct actions from the helicopter hovering over the hardest-to-reach Tatra mountain walls.
Leonardo Company:
The Tatra Volunteer Search and Rescue uses Sokol helicopter since 1993
Leonardo Company:
First you hear it, than you see it. TOPR manages to transport the victims from the remotest parts of the Tatra mountains to a hospital in less than 30 minutes.
Leonardo Company:
Hardly any “mission is impossible” for Sokół
Leonardo Company:
Within the three recent years alone TOPR has performed almost 600 rescue actions with the use of the Sokół helicopter, saving lives of more than 700 victims
Leonardo Company:
The medical equipment on board the helicopter must be sufficient in order to transport the patient to the hospital
Leonardo Company:
One action in three of TOPR in the years 2015-2017 was carried out with the participation of a Sokół
Leonardo Company:
The Sokół helicopter has been also used in rescue actions in Slovakia: in the years 2015-2017 it performed as many as 14 interventions there, saving lives of 18 people.
Leonardo Company:
PZL-Świdnik has produced over 180 Sokół helicopters in various versions so far for clients from Poland, Czech Republic, Spain, Germany, Philippines, Uganda and South Korea, among others.
Leonardo Company:
The Sokół has enabled rescuing more than 700 tourist victims, mainly from pedestrian trails, but also skiers, Tatra mountaineers and cave explorers as well as bikers.
Leonardo Company:
The rescued are mainly hikers affected by the injuries or stranded due to the unexpected weather
Leonardo Company:
The Sokół crews can proudly say that they are saving lives in extreme conditions
Leonardo Company:
Max. take-off weight of the helicopter: 6,400 kg (14,110 lb)
Leonardo Company:
Sokół helicopters are extremely efficient in search and rescue missions
Leonardo Company:
Sokół is a common and hard-to-miss view in the Polish High Tatra Mountains
Leonardo Company:
Sokół holds the distinction of being the first helicopter to be entirely designed and produced in Poland
Leonardo Company:
The Sokol’s 25th anniversary in TOPR confirms how good, reliable and cost effective rescue helicopter this machine can be
Leonardo Company:
The Sokol is also manufactured in maritime rescue version as Anakonda while as Głuszec it can be used in combat search and rescue missions
Leonardo Company:
The Sokol helicopter is a symbol of the Tatra mountains
Leonardo Company:
The helicopter needs to withstand the most extreme conditions on regular basis
Leonardo Company:
Both crews and machines need to withstand extreme conditions. Human life is at stake
Leonardo Company:
Thanks to Sokol people feel safe in the Tatra mountains
Leonardo Company:
Search and rescue missions, especially high in the mountains, are demanding actions
Leonardo Company:
The helicopter is powered by two PZL-10W turboshaft engines with each engine rated at 662 kW for take-off, making the Sokół fearless against strong winds of Podhale region, including the legendary Halny wind
