FlyingBasket Heavy-Lift Cargo Drones Cut Alpine Medical Evacuation Times by Up to Three-Fold

FlyingBasket Cargo Drones Revolutionize Alpine Rescue with Three-Fold Speed Improvement

FlyingBasket has unveiled results from its integration of cargo drones into mountain rescue operations, with field data showing that drone-assisted medical evacuations can cut transport times to as little as one-third compared to traditional ground-based methods.

Real-World Validation in the Dolomites

The results stem from field tests conducted in Italy's Dolomite Mountains as part of the START2 Living Lab project, which aims to explore the integration of drones in complex alpine environments. FlyingBasket, a global leader in the design, manufacturing, and development of cargo drones, provided the technical platform, operational expertise, and rescue team training for the initiative.

Patient Vibration and Shock Reduced Ten-Fold

Beyond faster response times, the tests revealed that aerial transport via drone can reduce vibration and shock stress experienced by patients to as little as one-tenth of ground transport levels. Working alongside mountain emergency medicine researchers and specialists from Eurac Research, the team also developed an innovative "hot loading" procedure — allowing patients to be safely loaded while the drone maintains a hover — further boosting operational efficiency and safety.

Strong Endorsement from Industry and Academia

FlyingBasket CEO and co-founder Moritz Moroder said: "Through this project, we helped prove a fundamental shift: drones are no longer just support tools — they can become the backbone of rescue operations. Our technology can shorten response times, reduce risks for rescue personnel, and improve patient transport conditions. This is a substantive change in how mountain emergencies are handled."

Dr. Michiel van Veelen, a researcher at Eurac's Institute of Mountain Emergency Medicine, added: "If this technology can be implemented in the future, we can make mountain rescue safer and less dependent on equipment like helicopters."

Cargo Drones Ready for Immediate Deployment

While the regulatory framework for crewed flight continues to evolve, cargo drones can already be deployed immediately to support rescue operations. They are currently capable of rapidly delivering essential equipment, providing logistical support to teams operating in remote areas, and reducing the risks faced by rescue personnel in hazardous environments.

EU Cross-Border Project Funding

The START2 Living Lab project has a total budget of €1,235,497, of which €882,734 is co-financed by the European Union through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) under the Interreg VI-A Italy–Austria program. Partners span a multidisciplinary team including NOI Techpark, Eurac Research's Institute of Mountain Emergency Medicine, MAVTech, FlyingBasket, CNSAS Veneto Alpine and Cave Rescue Corps, FH Kärnten, and FH Kufstein Tirol.

Moroder further noted: "The value of START2 also lies in the collaboration between different partners, allowing us to test technology under real-world conditions and bring it closer to operational deployment. Our goal is to continue developing solutions that make rescue operations faster, safer, and more efficient, setting new standards for operations in alpine environments."

The project's final results confirm that cargo drones are ready to become an increasingly vital component of the mountain rescue ecosystem, establishing a new operational model built on speed, precision, and safety.

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