Helicopters Wales Air Ambulance largest H145 operator in the UK

With three Airbus H145s for helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS) Wales Ait Ambulance is the largest H145 operator in the UK. For Children’s Wales Air Ambulance, the Welsh charity operates an H135 as well. The HEMS operations start from bases in bases in Caernarfon, Llanelli, Welshpool and Cardiff and cover 20,700 km² (8,000 sq. miles) of remote countryside, mountain ranges, cities, and coastline each year flying approximately 2,500 missions annually.

Wales Air Ambulance is the third HEMS operator in the UK using the H145 with its twin engine. The “four dragons” are equipped with a medically configured interior, clamshell doors and open cabin.

Airbus’ H145 is compact in size with a small helicopter’s footprint and a large, flexible cabin. It is part of the 4-tonne-class twin-engine rotorcraft product range Airbus provides and was designed especially for high and hot operating conditions. With compact airframe and powerful engines, the H145 is suited for a variety of civil missions.

“I’m happy with the H145. It gives us what we need as a team. It gives us that assurance that we can undertake our roles effectively and safely”, says Jason Hughes, critical care practitioner and team leader for EMRTS WAA.

WAA’s specialist paediatric and neonatal division uses an H135 for their operations. The H135 is one of Airbus’ most successful aircraft and first went into service in 1996. It has the lowest operating and maintenance costs in its class, can land almost anywhere and is fitted for high and hot conditions.