Second AW169 Helicopter Officially Handed Over to Cornwall Air Ambulance – What’s Next?

A Major Milestone for Cornwall’s Lifesaving Service

Cornwall Air Ambulance has officially taken delivery of its second AW169 helicopter, marking a significant step forward in the charity’s mission to enhance lifesaving services across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. The aircraft, built at Leonardo Helicopters’ facility in Milan, has now arrived in Gloucester for its medical fit-out.

The completion of this process will transform the helicopter into a fully operational critical care resource, a step expected to take several months.

£2 Million Raised – But One Last Push Needed

The arrival of the new aircraft coincides with the Heli2 Appeal surpassing the £2 million mark in its £2.85 million fundraising target. With just £197,000 left to raise, the charity is urging the public to help secure the final amount needed to bring the helicopter into full service.

Tim Bunting, Chief Executive of Cornwall Air Ambulance, described the moment as “a landmark” for the charity, stating:

“This will boost the resilience and capability of our service, enabling the crew to attend more missions by air each year. Ultimately this will mean we’ll be able to save even more lives for many years to come.”

What’s Next for the New Helicopter?

Before taking to the skies, teams of specialists will equip the AW169 with the necessary medical technology to ensure it is ready for emergency response missions. This intricate process follows months of work involving test flights, regulatory approvals, and the complex transfer of the aircraft to the UK.

Paul Westaway, Consultant in Operations Projects, highlighted the efforts behind the project, saying:

“This has been an incredibly complex process involving every element of the aircraft from the build, to configurations, test flights, and the transfer back to the UK whilst making sure all aviation authority rules and regulations are met.”

Help Get the New Helicopter in the Air

Cornwall Air Ambulance is encouraging the public to support the final stage of the Heli2 Appeal. Donations can be made via the charity’s website to help ensure the new helicopter is ready for action this summer.

Support the appeal here: Heli2 Appeal

📷AW169 69186 Cornwall air ambulance Ceremony

📷AW169 69186 Cornwall air ambulance

📷AW169 69186 Cornwall air ambulance

📷AW169 69186 Cornwall air ambulance