Rescuer Portrait
September 08, 2026
By becoming a pilot, Peter-Christian Müller has fulfilled a childhood dream. He began his career in 1998 as a professional military pilot with the Swiss Air Force before spending eight years as a commercial pilot with SWISS. Since 2016, he has been an operational pilot with Rega, as well as a flight instructor, lead pilot for the AgustaWestland AW109SP, and, since 2023, head of the Rega base in Samedan (Graubünden). His total flight experience amounts to 12,500 hours, including 6,500 in helicopters and 6,000 in airplanes.
Peter-Christian is married and has two children. In the winter, he enjoys snowboarding, cross-country skiing, and ski touring; in the summer, he enjoys kitesurfing, kitefoiling, and mountain biking. He lists the following as the most important personal qualities for his job: “Motivation, honesty, openness, and integrity.” We spoke with him about his job, the importance of teamwork, and his missions with RECCO technology.
Please introduce yourself briefly:
My name is Peter-Christian Müller. I am a pilot and the head of the Samedan base, and I also serve as the lead pilot on the AgustaWestland AW109SP, Rega’s mountain rescue helicopter. I have been flying for Rega for ten years now.
What do you love most about your job?
The best part of my job is the combination of so many different aspects: technology, flying, my passion, and rescue work. Above all, it’s incredibly fulfilling to use this knowledge in a way that directly benefits and helps someone.
You work very closely together in the helicopter. How important is teamwork?
Coordinated teamwork is essential. The standard crew consists of a pilot, a paramedic—known as an HCM (HEMS Crew Member)—and an emergency physician. In emergencies involving difficult terrain, a mountain rescuer from Swiss Alpine Rescue joins the team as a fourth member. Through our regular training, we ensure that our operations run smoothly. It’s like a set of gears that mesh perfectly. When it counts, we have to be able to rely on each other blindly; mutual trust is the foundation.
How often do you train, and what does a typical training session look like?
We have the opportunity to train on an ongoing basis. Twice a year, we practice in the simulator. During these sessions, we perform very challenging flight exercises and simulate various scenarios. These include technical malfunctions and other difficult situations that must be handled.
In addition, we regularly conduct training sessions directly in the helicopter, such as winch exercises or night flights. This allows us to maintain a consistently high level of proficiency and develop the skills necessary to be fully operational at all times.
You are currently modernizing Rega’s helicopter fleet. What are the advantages of the new Airbus H145 D3?
The new helicopter is significantly more modern, larger, and more powerful. It flies very smoothly and offers excellent ergonomics. During mountain missions, it provides us with valuable performance reserves, which translates into a significant safety benefit.
Have you worked with RECCO before? How do you use RECCO in your organization?
I’m familiar with the RECCO system from avalanche rescue, where we use it regularly. We’ve also been able to successfully locate missing persons using it.
The new SAR system is an excellent addition to our existing tools and offers exciting new applications. It allows us to find people over a much larger area and thus much more quickly.
Are there any specific missions that have stuck with you?
Of course, there are many experiences that stick in my memory. One event, however, that had a particularly profound impact on me was the severe storm disaster in Vallemaggia in Ticino. We were the only crew on site that morning. The situation was overwhelming, and we were on continuous duty there for quite some time. That experience remains very vivid in my mind to this day
What advice would you give to young people who want to become pilots?
I’d advise young people to always take it one step at a time. You shouldn’t fixate on the end goal right from the start; instead, focus on giving your best at every stage. With that kind of perseverance, you’ll ultimately achieve exactly the goal you’ve set for yourself.
What do you want to tell people out there?
In an emergency, don’t hesitate to alert emergency responders and call for a helicopter—better to be safe than sorry. Enjoy your time in nature, but always keep your safety in mind.
