This website uses cookies
More information
The monthly news publication for aviation professionals.

Why visit ACE ’25?

Related background information from the Handbook...

Airbus Helicopters
Aircraft

BAN's World Gazetteer

France
The monthly news publication for aviation professionals.

Request your printed copy

U.K. air ambulance trust is buying bespoke to save on leasing costs
The U.K.'s Devon Air Ambulance Trust (DAAT) expects to make substantial savings on helicopter operations and increase operational efficiency by buying a bespoke EC135 instead of leasing.

The U.K.'s Devon Air Ambulance Trust (DAAT) expects to make substantial savings on helicopter operations and increase operational efficiency by buying a bespoke EC135 instead of leasing.

Lyn Paver, DAAT ceo, says: "We've decided to buy our next aircraft outright and outsource the provision of all support services in a move which should save substantially in future operating costs. It is a major departure from the traditional means of funding emergency helicopters in the U.K.

"There are very compelling financial and operational reasons for owning and operating our own helicopter but it simply hasn't been possible until now."

But: "Our circumstances have now changed. Firstly, we operate two aircraft and this reduces the risk of down time because of maintenance issues or breakdown to an absolute minimum. Secondly, we have already invested in a jointly operated airbase at Middlemoor where the Devon and Cornwall Constabulary has a full engineering support and maintenance facility. We will be outsourcing this side of the operation to them and the contracts have been agreed in principle. Thirdly, fundraising has been buoyant, particularly in legacies to DAAT which provides us with long term stability and provides the financial muscle to make this bold step."

DAAT must acquire a new helicopter because under tighter civil aviation rules, the Bolkow 105 which is currently operating in North Devon will have to be withdrawn from its emergency medical role after 2009.

Capt. Ian Payne of Devon and Cornwall Constabulary says: "The force has a small team of aviation specialists who have considerable experience of managing multiple helicopter operations. The full integration of the DAAT machine with the force helicopter will facilitate more efficient use of existing force servicing facilities and ground equipment and offer increased flexibility in terms of pilot and engineering personnel."

DAAT is customising its EC135 specifications. Its paramedics have been in discussions with the aircraft designers and manufacturers to maximise functionality.

Paver says: "Leasing is like buying off the shelf - inevitably you have to accept standard specifications which will not always be suitable to specific operations. Purchasing is like going to a bespoke tailor. It allows us to customise specifications to suit out own operation and to the minutest detail. For instance, our new helicopter will have the ability to maintain communication when the aircraft is shut down, a facility not currently available to us."

DAAT will continue to operate a two helicopter service with the arrival of the new EC135 expected in October 2008.

Other News
 
Airbus and partners demonstrate helicopters and UAS collaboration
October 15, 2024
Manned helicopters and UAS from different companies and different countries, operating in distant areas, are being tested to see if they can be integrated within a single MUM-T system.
H175 pair set to soar in Australia with PHI
October 12, 2024
The two H175s will be based out of Broome, with additional H175s expected to join the fleet in coming months. Their focus will be on search and rescue operations and marine transfers.
Air Center uses H225s for Haiti evacuations
August 5, 2024
The Super Pumas were configured either with 18 passenger seats or empty to carry up to 4,000lbs of cargo. They carried out more than 100 flights over more than 300 flight hours; 39,299nm flown.