TCAA celebrates a decade of operation
The service now operates services nationwide from two bases in Oxfordshire and Nottinghamshire
The Children’s Air Ambulance (TCAA) is celebrating the 10th anniversary of its first mission.
The pediatric and neonatal air ambulance service took to the skies for the first time on 10 May 2013, when it transferred a newborn baby, Theo, from Scarborough Hospital to Hull Royal Infirmary to receive lifesaving treatment.
Initially operating using an AW109 helicopter, TCAA has since upgraded to operate two new AW169 helicopters in dedicated helicopter emergency medical service (HEMS) configuration, leased from Sloane Helicopters. The aircraft fly from two bases, at London Oxford Airport and Retford Gamston Airport – the latter of which opened in April.
This 10th anniversary of the lifesaving service wouldn’t be here without public support. Every donation it receives goes a long way towards the £3,500 per mission needed to keep the green helicopters flying.
TCAA also launched the first incubator on a rotary-wing aircraft in England earlier this year.
Oliver Cuenca
Oliver Cuenca is a Junior Editor at AirMed&Rescue. He was previously a News and Features Journalist for the rail magazine IRJ until 2021, and studied MA Magazine Journalism at Cardiff University. His favourite helicopter is the AW169 – the workhorse of the UK air ambulance sector! He also led the creation of Waypoint: The AirMed&Rescue podcast, serving as its Production Editor and co-host.