By Joshua Solomon
The air ambulance service covering Leicestershire has added two new helicopters to help it cover its patch that includes Derbyshire, Rutland, Warwickshire and Northamptonshire.
The new AW109SP Air Ambulance is the fastest commercial helicopter in the world with a top speed of 185mph and will be used to support critical patients in need across the midlands.
The new state of the art aircraft have been operational since the 10th of March, and are the first sign of the £30m investment being made by the charity to modernise the Derbyshire, Leicestershire & Rutland Air Ambulance (DLRAA), and Warwickshire & Northamptonshire Air Ambulance (WNAA).
One of the new AW109SP AIR Ambulance at Sywell Aerodrome in Northamptonshire.
The CEO of The Air Ambulance Service (TAAS) Andy Williamson said: “These wonderful new aircraft are the culmination of a lot of hard work by our supporters, the charity and our stakeholders and I am very proud to see it come to fruition and of all those involved in making the dream a reality.”
The aircraft was built in Italy by manufacturing company Leonardo, whose Head of Region (UK & Ireland) Helicopter Global Sales, commented: “Leonardo is proud to be supporting the lifesaving missions of The Air Ambulance Service with the addition of two AW109 GrandNew helicopters to its fleet, delivered through Sloane Helicopters.”
For more information on the aircraft and its uses visit the website at: www.theairambulanceservice.org.uk/air-ambulance-launches-new-helicopter-fleet
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