The Helicopter

The helicopter we use today in Cornwall is a Eurocopter EC135.

It's has a normal cruise speed of 135kt, and a fast cruise speed of up to 150kt.

The flying range is in the region of 350nm, or up to 2 1/2 hours in normal conditions.

Your air ambulance in Cornwall has a very distinctive sound, and is easily distinguished from the sound of a search and resuce SeaKing helicopter.

There are 2 Turbomecca engines, which are usually switched off after landing at the scene of an emergency, in order to save fuel costs, wear and tear, reduce emissions and provide a safer quieter working environment for emergency professionals and others.

The maximum take off weight of our air ambulance is just under 3000kg, with the majority of this being the helicopter itself, together with equiipment and fuel load.

This means the space inside for personnel is very limited, and is normally confined to the pilot, and 2 paramedics attending 1 patient.

On occasions, a spare seat may be occupied by an accompanying parent or grandparent, when a child is airlifted to hospital.

The Cornwall Air Ambulance helicopter carries a life raft when it flies out to the Isles of Scilly, and is fitted with specially extended skids, which allow it to land on a wide variety of surfaces, including beaches, the moors, fields, and on tarmac.

The Helicopter is based at Newquay Cornwall Airport, and is operated by Bond Air Services, who provide the aircraft itself, together with the specialist HEMS trained pilots, and all the associated engineering and avionics support.

The current livery of red and yellow was introduced in 2007, and includes the St Piran Cornish Flag on the tail, and the words "Funded by the People of Cornwall" along the fuselage. It also proudly bears the logo "1st in the UK", celebrating the introduction of the first dedicated air ambulance in 1987, and the emblem for the South West Ambulance Service, which recognises the NHS paramedics, many of whom aspire to join the air crew of just 6.

You can now make donations online

There are plenty of other ways to help.
Read here about other ways to help your Cornwall
Air Ambulance, help them today, you may need them tomorrow.