New Air Support Unit at the Nostell Priory Estate

We relocated from our previous home at Leeds Bradford International Airport in November 2013.

For a number of years, the Trustee Board had been looking to identify a new location for our West/South airbase. They were looking for something that would complement our Northern airbase at Topcliffe, not only location wise, but also duplicate the excellent facilities that are established there. Our previous base at Leeds Bradford International Airport had served us well over the 13 years we were residents, however it had its limitations and we were aware that if we were to continue to advance the operational and medical service that the YAA provides, then a new airbase was going to be our best option.

The Site

A few sites in the area were looked at and dismissed for various reasons. Then came forward Lord St Oswald of the Nostell Priory Estate near Wakefield. Lord St Oswald has been a long time friend of the YAA and had heard that we were looking for a location for a new airbase. He had vacant a sizable warehouse and office space which had plenty of grounds to the rear of the property on the edge of his estate. It quickly became obvious that this would be the ideal location for our new airbase.

Transformation

The build programme was tight, but in just 13 weeks, the empty warehouse space was turned into a state-of-the-art airbase. Facilites at Nostell include offices & training rooms, a large hangar, storage space, dedicated fuel bowser, accommodation and our own helipad.

The New Base

Our first flight took place on 28th November 2013 from Nostell and we have enjoyed many extremely busy months since then, responding to emergencies across the region.

A recent visit from the CAA intimated that we have one of the best Air Ambulance facilities in the UK now – something we are extremely proud of.