New helicopter pushes WAA closer to 24-hour operation
Wales Air Ambulance has announced the launch of its new Airbus H145.
Wales Air Ambulance (WAA) has announced the launch of its new Airbus H145, custom built rescue helicopter. According to the UK-based service, the helicopter is the one of three upgrades being introduced this year in order to significantly enhance its operations. The helicopter was launched from Caernarfon Airport.
The new helicopter will replace the service’s EC135 model that it acquired in 2009. The helicopters are leased to WAA by Babcock Critical Mission Services Onshore. The new helicopter’s night flying capabilities will also move the service closer to being able to operate 24 hours a day, say WAA.
“When we introduced the EC135 to Caernarfon eight years ago we were excited it had a fourth seat for an additional medic or the parent of an injured child,” operations manager Mark Winter said about the upgrade. “Now we have five seats, which gives us even more scope for specialist medical passengers.”
He continued: “One of the biggest differences is the H145’s night flying capability. The cockpit is set up for night vision technology. We have a weather radar, additional lights underneath and a ‘tracker light’ on the front, which is like a giant torch and incredibly powerful. These new features will make a difference to the work we can do after dark.”
WAA said that the helicopter will be put into service following crew training.