Stay in Touch
Be the first to receive the latest news and updates from the charity by signing up to our email updates.
Our Helicopter:
Since our first life-saving flight in July 2007, we have used several helicopter models. But since October 2015, we have been flying an Airbus H135 helicopter, which is specially equipped for night flying.
The H135 is an upgraded version of our previous helicopter, the EC135. Like the EC135, the H135 can land in an area the size of a tennis court and can be anywhere in Hampshire within 15 minutes and the Isle of Wight in 20 minutes. It also has skids, which are ideal for the varied terrain we have in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. The H135 is known for its high endurance, compact build, low sound levels, reliability and versatility.
The H135 can carry three or four crew members which means that, not only are we able to carry a doctor and a paramedic on board most flights, but sometimes a family member can also travel with the patient.
Take the tour with Pilot Nigel
Explore our aircraft
Find out more about the spec of our aircraft. Click on the image to move around our airbase.
Our thanks go to the team at Viewit360 for creating our virtual airbase tour.
Read more:
Find out how to keep yourself and your pets safe if you see us trying to take off or land. And what it’s like to fly across Hampshire and Isle of Wight at night.
0
Missions flown this year
0
Total missions flown
0
Missions by road this year
0
We can fly to anywhere on the Isle of Wight within 20 minutes
0
We can fly to anywhere in Hampshire within 15 minutes
0
We're online 19 hours a day (7am - 2am)
Air Ambulance FAQ’s
-
Our aircraft is Helimed56.
-
The H135 can reach 157 mph – 252 km/h – 136 knots.
-
To allow for the carriage of a patient immediately, we do not fly with full tanks. We can fly for approximately 1 hour 40 minutes before having to refuel.
-
We have a fleet of vehicles that our teams can respond in. This means that, if the weather turns on us, we can still be there for you when you need us most.
-
The H135 is fitted with two Garmin 750 GPS systems; moving map displays and two iPad minis.
-
Helimed56 has a power line detection system and is fitted with a Trakka high intensity searchlight. Our pilots and paramedics wear Fenn Night Vision Goggles to help them see in the dark.
Our Pilots and Paramedics wear Fenn Night Vision Goggles for night missions. These cost £22,000 a pair and are vital for us to respond under the cover of darkness.
Helimed56 is fitted with a Trakka Search Light to help us fly at night.
Our pilots can land in the area the size of a tennis court. This area is doubled at night.
