New Airbus H145-D3 for Yorkshire Air Ambulance, just in time for Christmas
December 24, 2024
As the latest addition to the fleet, G-YAIR will join YAA’s existing aircrafts, G-YAAA and G-YORX, forming part of a rotational system that will ensure that the charity remains operationally resilient. The aircraft will provide a no-notice replacement during scheduled maintenance, unexpected repairs, and mandatory crew training. By eliminating the need for leased aircraft during these periods, G-YAIR will enable YAA to maintain seamless lifesaving coverage across the region, ensuring that operational availability remains as close to 100% as possible.
Steve Waudby, Director of Aviation at Yorkshire Air Ambulance, said, “The addition of G-YAIR to our fleet is a pivotal moment for Yorkshire Air Ambulance, significantly enhancing our ability to maintain uninterrupted emergency response coverage. This investment represents our unwavering commitment to providing the highest level of care to the people of Yorkshire, ensuring we are always ready to respond when needed”.
Once England’s largest county, Yorkshire is today divided into the East Riding of Yorkshire, North Yorkshire, South Yorkshire, and West Yorkshire, though for some purposes, all four are treated as one. This includes qualifying to play for the Yorkshire cricket team, claiming to live in God’s chosen county, and when looking at the area covered by the Yorkshire Air Ambulance charity.
This large county includes eight large, densely populated cities (Sheffield and Doncaster in South Yorkshire, Hull in the East Riding, Bradford, Leeds, and Wakefield in West Yorkshire, and York and Ripon in the North). There are large areas of much more sparsely populated countryside. Much of it is relatively poorly served by roads, is of challenging terrain, or prone to disruption by weather (flooding and snow). This can make getting patients to hospital within the so-called ‘golden hour’ problematic, and the helicopters of Yorkshire Air Ambulance provide a critical and much needed service for the 5 million people living in Yorkshire and its many visitors.
Tasked with providing, delivering and developing state-of-the-art emergency response air ambulances for the protection of human life across Yorkshire and its environs, the Yorkshire Air Ambulance’s Airbus Helicopters H145-D3s, G-YAAA and G-YORX, fly seven days a week, 365 days a year, operating from Nostell Air Support Unit near Wakefield in West Yorkshire and RAF Topcliffe near Thirsk in North Yorkshire.
Yorkshire Air Ambulance’s highly skilled team responds to those in urgent need of emergency care, starting their specialised treatment at the scene of an incident before they are transported to an appropriate major trauma centre or another hospital for further medical care.
One helicopter flies with a crew consisting of a highly experienced Pilot, a qualified Technical Crew Member (TCM), a Consultant Doctor with experience in A&E and with a specialism in Anaesthesiology, and two Specialist Critical Care Paramedics. The other helicopter flies with a highly experienced Pilot, a qualified TCM and two Specialist Critical Care Paramedics.
The H145-D3 helicopter is one of the most advanced models of its kind, boasting innovative features designed to enhance efficiency and patient care. These include a five-bladed main rotor that significantly reduces vibrations, ensuring a smoother ride for patients and crew alike. The aircraft have a bespoke HEMS interior fitted out by Bucher to accommodate the needs of our crews. Inside the cabin, the medical crew benefits from a modern wheeled stretcher system, making patient loading and unloading faster and easier. This system reduces the need for manual lifting, improving both efficiency and safety during missions. Integrated onboard Wi-Fi and secure communication systems allow patient data to be transmitted to hospitals in real time, enabling hospital teams to prepare for patients’ arrival before they land, saving precious time in critical situations.
The helicopters have been funded by the generosity of the public through donations, grant funding, and the sale of two previous helicopters.
Abby Barmby, Director of Marketing & Communications at Yorkshire Air Ambulance concluded that: “The addition of G-YAIR to our fleet is a powerful reminder of the vital role we play in saving lives across the region. This achievement would not be possible without the steadfast support of our generous donors, fundraisers, and partners. Their continued commitment ensures that we can invest in state-of-the-art resources, like this new helicopter, and maintain the highest level of pre-hospital critical care. As we look toward 2025, we are excited to see the positive impact of our enhanced fleet and continue our mission to provide lifesaving treatment to the people of Yorkshire.
