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Peter Sunderland retired as Chairman on 30th June, after nearly 20 years with YAA. We were pleased to announce Mike Harrop as our new Chairman from 1st July.
In June 2023 we welcomed the second of our new Airbus H145 D3 helicopters, G-YORX.
Our crews are now quite familiar with the new H145 D3 model, following the arrival of G-YAAA in March 2023.
Our crews and patients are now experiencing a much smoother flight, thanks to the new five-bladed rotor system which significantly reduces vibrations. With many aviation and technological advances, YAA continues to offer a state-of-the-art service to the people of Yorkshire and the county’s visitors.
In March 2023 we welcomed the first of our new Airbus H145 D3 helicopters, G-YAAA, to our Nostell airbase.
Our crews get to know the aircraft and train on the new cutting-edge secure communication systems and medical equipment, including the new wheeled stretchers before G-YAAA enters service.
The second of our new fleet, G-YORX is set to arrive later in the year.
In May 2021 we confirmed that the Charity would be placing an order for two 5-bladed Airbus H145 D3 model aircraft, an upgrade to our fleet of H145 D2 helicopters which came into service in 2016.
The first of the two new, more advanced, and state-of-the-art version of the Airbus H145 would be due to arrive in Yorkshire in Spring 2023, with the second following shortly after in Summer 2023.
Read the announcement of the two new YAA aircraft HERE.
In 2020 we celebrated 20 years of saving lives across Yorkshire. The previous two decades have seen us grow year after year, becoming a service delivering the highest possible standard of pre-hospital care to the people of Yorkshire, flying over 8,000 patients to major trauma centres across the region.
An exciting year for the training and development of our medical teams as we were proud to launch our state-of-the-art simulation training suite at Nostell. The room, which benefits from 360° scene projection allows our crews to set up an endless number of incident situations, ranging from road traffic collisions, industrial accidents and inside homes. This, coupled with the life-like manikins, which were generously grant-funded, allow our Paramedics and Doctors to continually train on medical procedures and on-scene incident management.
2018 saw us progress even further operationally with the commencement of flight training on the Airbus H145 simulator in Bonn, Germany. Being able to train on a simulator rather than in our working helicopters allows our Pilots and crews to undergo manoeuvres they hopefully will never have to experience in real life, such as engine failures and crashes. The training is extremely valuable to our team and ensures they are all trained to the highest standards.
2017 was the first full year of operations with the two new Airbus H145 helicopters and the benefits they continue to bring to the people of Yorkshire and its visitors.
In 2017 there were also other key medical and operational advancements for the Charity. Firstly, the commencement of NVIS (Night Vision Imaging Systems) Operations, enabling the Charity to extend our operational hours and the addition of carrying Blood on Board, enabling critically injured patients to receive transfusions at the scene of an incident or in the air.
2016 will be remembered as a momentous year for Yorkshire Air Ambulance. Two brand new state-of-the-art Airbus H145 helicopters were delivered and came into operation during the year.
The majority of 2016 saw us make the necessary preparations at each airbase for the arrival of these new helicopters and a grand unveiling event was held at Nostell on the 7th of June in front of regional dignitaries, corporate supporters, and guests.
G-YAAC came into operation at Nostell on Saturday 3rd September and G-YOAA followed shortly after, becoming operational from her new home at Topcliffe on Wednesday 14th December.
November 2013 saw YAA move to a new Flagship Airbase on the Nostell Estate in Wakefield. Purpose developed especially for our operations. The Charity also saw our most successful year so far, with income totalling £ 5 million for the year.
In 2012 we moved to our new Northern Airbase at RAF Topcliffe near Thirsk. YAA also acquired our own Air Operating Certificate, becoming one of the first air ambulances to achieve this in the UK.
In 2010 YAA celebrated our 10th anniversary. From humble beginnings with one small aircraft, the Charity now owned two MD902 Explorer helicopters and had increased our crew of paramedics from 8 to 14.
At the end of 2010, G-CEMS moved from Sheffield to Bagby airfield in Thirsk, North Yorkshire to provide a faster response time for our patients in the north of the county.
The second series of Helicopter Heroes aired in August, this time with new presenter Rav Wilding.
We hosted our first-ever YAA Recognition Awards ceremony.
ThIncome this year hit the £3million mark.
The first episode of Helicopter Heroes aired on 3rd September on BBC1 and was presented by Richard Hammond. The series was comprised of 10 initial episodes but due to the success of the first series, it was re-commissioned.
In October we welcomed our second helicopter, G-CEMS, to our fleet, based at Sheffield Business Park
In 2006 YAA welcomed Peter Sunderland to the Charity as Chairman.
On the 20th of September, we were called to a crash at Elvington Airfield near York. The patient was Top Gear Presenter Richmond Hammond who had been involved in a serious car crash.
In 2005 we upgraded our Bolkow aircraft to a MD902 explorer with the registration G-SASH. The new more modern aircraft offered a smoother flight for patients and more space in the back for the paramedics to work.
G-SASH was based in a hanger at Leeds Bradford International Airport for quicker response times to other parts of the county.
The operation at Leeds Bradford Airport took a step forward when the crew finally moved from their Portakabin to new office space on the Multiflight site at the airport.
Income from the year stood at just over £1million.
Yorkshire Air Ambulance was founded on October 25th 2000 and consisted of a small crew operating a leased Bolkow helicopter, G-PAS-G, from a Portakabin at Leeds Bradford Airport.
Cayley House,
10 South Lane
Elland
HX5 0HQ
T: 01422 237900
E: info@yaa.org.uk
YAA Registered Charity No. 1084305.
