Tell me more about the brand new helicopter! Airbus Helicopters has shared the specification details with us about our new H145 model. Expand We're really looking forward to getting our new H145 helicopter. You can read the specifications of the H145 here or take a detailed look at the model and what it can offer here. Our aircraft will, of course, feature our own branding. With thanks to William Long of Airbase helicopters for sharing the specification details with us to use here.
Does Ambrose ever fly the helicopter? Ambrose answers this question. Expand Much as I'd love to be a pilot too, my work is on the ground meeting fantastic young supporters. It's so much fun for me to visit the schools and events and to hang out with young people who are so full of energy. Besides, my head won't fit into one of the special helmets that pilots need to wear. You can meet our pilots and air crew here. They work really hard to learn the skills and experience that means they can airlift our patients. It's a huge responsibility and we are really proud of them.
How can my school help? Our young supporters in schools play an important part in helping raise funds and sharing knowledge about the service with their family and friends. Expand There are all sorts of ways schools can help support us. one thing to do is get involved in one of our two events which happen during National Air Ambulance Week. Bake Off for Take Off is a great opportunity to get messy baking delicious cakes to sell on our behalf. During this week there is also Be Hero Day - an occasion to dress up as your hero (it doesn't have to be a superhero) and help raise funds. Kids are the most imaginative fundraisers, so we're always hearing from schools with creative ways to raise funds. Here are just a few of them. We want you to feel safe and comfortable when you are doing your fundraising, so ask your teacher or an grown up to look at this information with you. You can use this form to tell us about your idea and we will be happy to help you get it off the ground!
How do I become a pilot? Pilot Craig Bisset responds to this question Expand Pilot, Craig Bisset, joined Devon Air Ambulance in Feb 2019 having spent the previous 2 years flying from Exeter Airport for the National Police Air Service. He responds to this question by describing the possible routes you can take towards your goal of becoming a pilot! Read Craig's reply
How do I become a paramedic? Air Operations Officer & Specialist Paramedic in Critical Care, Darren Goodwin, answers this question. Expand Paramedic, Darren Goodwin, is getting back to us on this soon!
Who was the first person you airlifted? Patient Liaison Officer, Debbie Gregory, answers this question. Expand Doreen Baker was our very first airlifted patient. You can read all about her experience here. Luckily she went on to make a good recovery and felt well enough to share her story with us. Did you know we only hear from around 15% of the people we help? If you or anyone you know has a story to share, we'd love to hear from them.
Why is your bear called Ambrose Why indeed? Find out more about the origins of the charity's favourite bear. Expand A long time ago, when our lovable mascot first joined our team, we asked pupils form some of the schools we visited what they thought our bear should be called. One little girl suggested 'Ambrose', with the first part of the name 'Amb' hinting at the ambulances, and the 'rose' referencing the blood that our teams work hard to preserve in our trauma patients. The blending of the two made the perfect name for our favourite bear, who brings delight and reassurance wherever he goes, from our schools and our shops to our events and celebrations.
How many miles do you fly each day? Flight operations Director, Ian Payne, answers this question. Expand On average we cover 120 miles for every hour that we fly. For example, a day shift on the Exeter aircraft might fly 2 hours, 5 minutes on a particular day, so that’s about 240 miles, bearing in mind we slow down to take off and land! Of course it all varies quite a bit depending on the the time of year. In the summer we are a lot busier because of the influx of people visiting Devon. People are outdoors a lot more, there is more daylight for activities and people are out on the roads travelling.
What is the highest your helicopter ever flies Flight Operations Director, Ian Payne, answers this question Expand For normal operations the helicopter would fly at between 1000 feet - 1500 feet above ground level, but ideally we fly clear of cloud, so it could be lower. The aircraft type is cleared for flight much higher than that, although the highest we realistically fly is about 5000’, we would require oxygen to go above 10,000’ and we would need oxygen for the crew, which we don’t carry. The lowest height is 500 feet, unless we are taking off or landing in order to reduce noise or nuisance to people on the ground.
What happens if both your helicopters are busy and there's another accident? Flight operations Director, Ian Payne, answers this question Expand If both our helicopters are out on missions and another emergency comes in, we could call upon a helicopter from another charity, for example Cornwall, Dorset and Somerset, Wiltshire, potentially a Police helicopter from the National Police Air Service (NPAS) at Exeter, Bristol or St. Athan in South Wales, or a ‘Search and Rescue’ asset from Newquay or St. Athan. In a similar way our helicopters support other charities in neighbouring counties when we are closer to an incident for example, or their air ambulance is similarly busy on another mission. Also, we now have two Critical Care Cars that support our helicopter service. Read more about them.