Liskeard-based rotary operator Castle Air has been contracted to provide helicopter operations support to the Cornwall Air Ambulance Trust in the UK. The contract includes the maintenance and engineering of the aeromedical charity's AW169 helicopter and the provision of a back-up A109.

Castle Air has agreed a bespoke solution with the trust to maximise availability of its helicopter, with all maintenance undertaken locally. The company has obtained extensions to its existing CAA approvals to cover HEMS operations with the AW169 and AW109SP plus continued airworthiness management and maintenance of the AW169.

Managing director Ross Bunyard says: “We at Castle Air are very proud and excited to be supporting Cornwall Air Ambulance Trust through the maintenance and engineering of its helicopter. We have wanted to support our local air ambulance for a long time and we are very grateful to the charity for this opportunity, which is allowing us to expand our capability at Liskeard and employ additional maintenance staff. We are looking forward to supporting the trust in its provision of the air ambulance service for the people of Cornwall.”

The AW169 is now with Castle Air for routine annual maintenance. During this time, the crew of Cornwall Air Ambulance will be responding to incidents in a Castle Air operated back-up A109 helicopter to ensure they can continue to reach the most seriously sick and injured patients.

“Castle Air specialises in AgustaWestland aircraft engineering and as a Cornish business it provides Cornwall Air Ambulance with a local support base from which to carry out the regular and ongoing maintenance required to fly and saves lives 365 days a year,” adds Cornwall Air Ambulance Trust chief executive Tim Bunting.