Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance flies into the future with state-of-the-art helicopter

A charity emergency service is set to launch the UK’s most advanced helicopter air ambulance of its type.

The new Airbus H145 D3 is currently in production and will receive its customised aeromedical fit-out, along with some modification, before being ready for operational service with Scottish Charity Air Ambulance (SCAA) later this year.

Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance is set to launch the UK’s most advanced helicopter air ambulance of its type later this year. Picture: Perthshire Picture Agency

The state-of-the-art twin-engine, five-rotor, aircraft will replace an existing EC 135 at the charity’s Aberdeen base.

SCAA chief executive David Craig said the new aircraft announcement forms part of the most significant operational investment by the charity in its 12-year history.

He said: “The H145 D3 is an aircraft that will help fly SCAA into the next decade.

“No one in Scotland should die because help can’t get there in time and this new helicopter will offer greater range, endurance and capacity which significantly enhances our life-saving service and our ability to meet the ever-growing demand on pre-hospital emergency response teams.

“When our new H145 D3 takes to the skies, it will be the most capable air ambulance of its kind in the UK, operating in the most challenging environment. It will be a lifesaver.”

SCAA operates two helicopter emergency response air ambulances, based at Perth (since 2013) and Aberdeen (since 2020).

Mr Craig added: “The decision to strategically focus on introducing a new aircraft at our Aberdeen base was driven by reviewing our operational data across all of Scotland over the last five years.

“Working closely with the Scottish Ambulance Service and their doctor-led ScotSTAR North EMRS (Emergency Medical Retrieval Service), this enhanced and more capable aircraft will ensure that, when critical care is required anywhere in Scotland, we can provide a team of specialist doctors and two SCAA paramedics to the scene of an emergency.

“This will deliver a robust specialist and extensive multi-disciplinary team to any incident.”

A new 10-year contract with aviation partner Babcock will also see crews at both Aberdeen and Perth equipped with Night Vision Imaging Systems (NVIS) technology to maximise operational capability.

Mr Craig said that NVIS has recently been introduced at SCAA’s Perth base, enabling the charity to respond more safely to emergencies, increasing its ability to reach more patients during Scotland’s winters.

He said: “SCAA is now able to deploy to non-surveyed locations anywhere in Scotland during darkness hours this winter using the very latest technology, to the benefit of both patients and crew.

“This will ensure each duty shift is unimpeded (by aviation restrictions) when the sun sets or skies darken, and SCAA will be available to respond whenever and wherever required by those most seriously ill or injured.”

The operational enhancements will add an extra £2 million a year to SCAA’s current £8 million costs and today’s announcement sparks a major nationwide “Operation Skyward” fundraising campaign to support the upgrades and fly SCAA into the future.

Mr Craig added: “Other than the initial launch of our service, this new contract represents the single most significant operational investment for the charity.

“Funded entirely by public donation – without any government contribution – SCAA has responded to more than 6500 call outs since launching in 2013, with last year proving our busiest ever.

“In that time, the public has donated more than £65 million – hugely generous support that has allowed us to plan and evolve and grow to meet demand with a sustainable enhanced service.

“In order to meet the constantly evolving and increasingly high standards of both air ambulance crew and equipment, donations will continue to be invested in delivering our charitable purpose and our frontline operation is a priority as that ultimately saves lives.

“SCAA last upgraded its aircraft in 2015 after two years in service and launched our Aberdeen operation in 2020.

“The time is right to advance yet again to ensure SCAA remains at the forefront of patient care and service delivery.

“Our patients will benefit hugely from the upgrade and our crews will appreciate the enhancements that a larger airframe with greater capacity and endurance brings to their life-saving work.

“But we can’t do it alone and our appeal goes out to individuals, groups, organisations, businesses, trusts and foundations who share our ambition that no one in Scotland should die because help can’t get there in time.

“The Scottish public have proved lifesavers through their amazing support of SCAA to date and the many thousands of lives which will be saved and improved through our latest upgrades will be as a result of their continued generosity.”

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Image Credits and Reference: https://www.northern-scot.co.uk/news/charity-air-ambulance-set-to-launch-the-uk-s-most-advanced-h-371929/