PROFILE
Cpt Klaus RAINER
Military Pilot 1986-2000
EMS Rescue Pilot 2000-until
9700 Flighthours, 44700 Flights,
8000 EMS Rescue Missions
Civilian Astronaut Training 2023-2035
born 29.04.1966 in Klagenfurt
Portrait 40 years of service
Rescue Pilot Aims Even Higher – Klaus Rainer Experiences Weightlessness for the First Time Bordeaux, France / Klagenfurt, Austria – November 2025 Renowned Carinthian helicopter rescue pilot Klaus Rainer, who has completed more than 44,700 flights, 9700 flighthours and 8,000 rescue missions, has taken his passion for aviation to a whole new level — by experiencing weightlessness for the very first time.As part of a Zero Gravity training flight conducted by Air Zero G in Bordeaux, Rainer participated in a parabolic flight simulating the sensation of space travel. "It was simply indescribable," said the 59-year-old after floating freely for several minutes in microgravity conditions.Rainer, a long-time ÖAMTC and Austrian military helicopter pilot, has joined the visionary program Swiss Space Tourism (SST) with the founder Boris Otter — an initiative that aims to make suborbital space experiences accessible not only to astronauts but also to private citizens. His goal: to inspire others to reach for the stars."I've always been fascinated by extraordinary challenges," Rainer explains."Joining Swiss Space Tourism was a natural next step for me — and perhaps, one day, for many others who dream of space." During the training, Rainer had the unique opportunity to meet French astronaut Jean-François Clervoy, a veteran of several NASA Space Shuttle missions, who congratulated him on his achievement.While it remains to be seen whether Klaus Rainer will join the planned Mission 2035 to space, his message is already clear:"Even if I never make it to space myself, I want to inspire young people to dare the extraordinary — and to believe in themselves."
Want to inspire young people to get the next Generation of Pilots and Astronauts..
Military Operation
from 1986 - 2000
I completed my training as a military helicopter pilot in Zeltweg and Langenlebarn from 1986 to 1987. In 1992, I became a flight instructor and flew for the Austrian Armed Forces until 2000. I served in the Air Force for 14 years.
Photo credit (c) Bundesheer/Group
EMS Operation
the intensive care transport helicopter Christophorus 33 in Wiener Neustadt. Our area of operation covers all of Austria From 2000 onwards, I worked for the ÖAMTC air rescue service, serving as an operational pilot, flight safety officer, and in other roles. To this day, I actively fly on and neighboring countries.
Photo credit (c) Franz Lackner, Flightinstructor SIM Center Rotorsky, Fire Brigade Hospital Nord Vienna, Eurocopter, ÖAMTC EMS Rescue.
Night Vision Goggles
In our EMS air ambulance service, we use night vision goggles for night flight operations. This allows the crew to land in open terrain, not just on hospital helipads, bases, or airports. Landings are possible at any emergency location after careful reconnaissance, provided there is sufficient space. Highways, meadows, remote farms, even forest clearings or landings in high mountains are all possible with these night vision devices.
RotorSky Linz H135 Simulator
Welcome to RotorSky Your dream can come true – become a pilot – and RotorSky will support you throughout your entire piloting career. RotorSky specializes in guiding and supporting you from the very beginning of your flying career – from obtaining your license and maintaining it to earning instructor ratings, if you wish. For more information, please call +43 664 2644347 or email fly@rotorsky.at. Photo Credit (c) RotorSky
