Issue 167 | January/February 2026

AMR 167 Cover

A new year and a new edition, and with it comes articles relating to special missions from all across the globe. We have features that look into the special missions in the Middle East and Africa; the benefits and differences associated with leasing helicopters; and the way that aerial firefighting is conducted at night.

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In this issue

Helicopter dropping fire retardant at dusk

Fighting through the cloak of darkness

Barry D Smith speaks to aerial firefighters in California about their nighttime operations, the risks and challenges of fighting fire at night, and how they train to overcome these

Planes parked outside NAC headquarters

Special missions in the Middle East and Africa

Chris Croot asks operators working across the Middle East and Africa about the various mission types they undertake, their mixed fleets, what challenges are unique to the region, and whether...

White Helicopter

Elevated expectations

Leasing helicopters is a savvy financial move, lifting the burden and cost of building a fleet. Wet and dry leasing not only provide increased service options but also offer significant...

Jennifer Ferrero

Plane parked on runway next to van

Provider profile: Gama Aviation

Gama Aviation is accelerating its role as a major force in the UK’s air ambulance and special missions landscape, pairing fleet investment with an expanding clinical capability. Oliver Cuenca reports

Plane next to ambulance

Industry voice: How success in medical aviation carries beyond the mission

One child’s journey across the ocean reveals what truly defines private air medical transport. Adam Mikulski, Managing Director of Medical Air Service, describes the mission

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Interview: The spearhead of emergency medicine in Norway

Halvard Stave, Head of the Helicopter Section at Oslo University Hospital – the largest HEMS department in Norway – discusses with Mandy Langfield his route into air medicine, what makes...

Mandy Langfield

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Interview: Safety culture and operational excellence

Steve McLeod, Training and Check Pilot with the Royal Flying Doctor Service (Western Operations), tells Mandy Langfield how he keeps training standards current and robust through a continual improvement cycle...

Mandy Langfield

Helicopter mid-air

Gallery: 80th SAR Center: ready and speedy

Based on the island of Sardinia, the 80th SAR Center of the Italian Air Force’s 15th Wing is mainly focused on search and rescue, but has other tasks including aerial...

Dino Marcellino