SAF Hélicoptères

SAF Hélicoptères is a French helicopter operator, listed by the regulator as SAF Hélicoptères / X-Aero Training Academy, and part of SAF Aerogroup, a group of companies working across aviation and the aeronautical industry. The company states that it has pioneered helicopter mountain rescue since 1979. It holds DGAC air operator certificate FR.AOC.0037 and appears on the regulator's December 2025 list of French helicopter operators with a valid certificate.

The company states that it has worked in the helicopter sector for more than 40 years, serving local authorities, businesses and private clients. Its core business is aerial work: winching, underslung load carrying, light and heavy lifting, including lifts in urban areas that it prepares from the operational and administrative stages through to the day of the job, and firefighting with water bomber helicopters. It also flies medical and rescue missions, including SAMU emergency medical flights, mountain rescue and support for sporting events.

Its recorded fleet is built around Airbus helicopters: 14 H125 or AS350 Ecureuil single engine helicopters, 14 twin engine H135s and 12 twin engine H145s, alongside four twin engine Leonardo AW109s. No third party safety audit is published for the company.