Wiltshire Air Ambulance Charitable Trust (WAACT) is to commence operations on January 1, 2015 with its HEMS Bell 429, the first aircraft of its kind in the UK. The trust was established over 20 years ago and is a registered charity providing essential emergency medical services and transportation throughout Wiltshire and beyond. The organisation provides air ambulance services 19 hours a day, performing a variety of missions each month. G-WLTS will be operated by Heli Charter in Manston. “We are very excited to begin performing life-saving missions in our new Bell 429,” says David Philpott, WAACT ceo.

“We have invested in our future with an aircraft that provides a high standard of safety and performance, and we have peace of mind knowing our patients are supported by an industry leading aircraft.”

The 429 is valued for its two-litter capability, featuring enough cabin space for two medical attendants and two crew. It has a fully integrated glass cockpit, advanced drive system, and WAAS navigation and IFR capability. Additional safety features include a collective mounted throttle, damage tolerant hub and rotor system, and energy attenuating seats. It is the first helicopter certified through the MSG-3 process, resulting in reduced maintenance costs for operators.