Midlands Air Ambulance Charity has purchased a new H145

The new H145, registration G-HMAA, will fly out of the charity’s Tatenhill airbase near Burton-on-Trent, supporting patient care across Staffordshire and the surrounding areas. As a next generation aircraft, it comes with additional capabilities to assist the delivery of enhanced patient care including five rotor blades, making it more comfortable for patients in transit to hospital than the previous model. This also reduces fuel consumption, meaning the new helicopter will be more economical to operate in the long term.

Advanced technology on board, including external cameras, will aid the pilot when landing in complicated surroundings near the scene of an incident. Plus, the increased internal capacity means additional lifesaving hospital-level equipment can be carried. This will enable the clinicians to provide additional treatments to help those in critical need, giving them the greatest chance of survival and a good recovery.

The new H145 has been funded through careful financial planning, support from the communities and local businesses within the region, and from two generous grant-giving organisations: Denise Coates Foundation and The Kildare Trust.

Initially built by Airbus in Donauwörth in Germany, the helicopter undertook test flights in July before being transported to Airbus’ new facility in Oxford where it received a medical fit out. The aircraft will be transferred to Midlands Air Ambulance Charity’s aviation partner, Babcock Mission Critical Services Onshore, in early December where the pilots will receive further flight training on the new airframe.

Earlier in 2024, the air ambulance charity renewed its flight operations contract with Babcock, extending it for a further 10 years.