In this episode of Summat in t’Air, we step behind the camera to meet the people who bring the incredible work of Yorkshire Air Ambulance (YAA) to television screens across the country.
Viewers have watched the crew soar over Yorkshire’s hills, cities, and moors on Yorkshire Air 999, but few realise the scale, care and sensitivity involved in making each episode.
Listen to the podcast below, and find the readable version just underneath.
We’re chatting with Matt Richards, Managing Director of Air TV, and George Kidrowski, one of the producers who regularly flies with the YAA team – often with a camera in hand and adrenaline in the air.
Two Decades of Flying and Filming
The partnership between Yorkshire Air Ambulance and Air TV began nearly 20 years ago, when a small BBC Yorkshire feature about the charity’s new helicopter first hit local screens.
From those humble beginnings has grown one of the UK’s most loved documentary series – a show that captures real-life rescues, remarkable teamwork, and Yorkshire spirit in all its grit and warmth.
“It’s been a long relationship built on trust,” Matt explains. “We’ve been filming with the air ambulance for almost two decades now, and we still treat every mission, every patient, and every crew member with the same respect as day one.”
Filming Real Life, with Real Sensitivity
Every episode of Yorkshire Air 999 starts long before the cameras roll.
“You never know what the next call will be,” George says. “It could be three or four major incidents in one day – or days of fog where the helicopter can’t fly at all.”
That unpredictability makes for challenging but rewarding work. Once the crew are called to a job, Air TV’s cameras – from body cams and GoPros in the aircraft, to the main cameras on scene – start rolling. But the story only makes it to television with the full consent of the patients involved.
“We’re always amazed and grateful,” Matt says. “The majority of people do give permission for their story to be shared. Often they say, ‘If it helps the Air Ambulance and shows what you do, then yes, of course.’ It’s really humbling.”
Building a Story from the Skies
After filming, the long process of editing begins – combining footage from multiple cameras and perspectives into a single 45-minute episode.
“We’ll structure each show carefully,” George explains. “You might start with a serious incident, then move through different types of jobs – a road crash, a cardiac arrest, maybe a climbing rescue. You want a balance of emotion, tension and heart.”
“Each episode goes through extensive checks – not just for storytelling, but for privacy, accuracy, and sensitivity. Our legal and editorial teams review everything. We blur bystanders, double-check facts, and make sure every patient is happy with what’s included. Transparency is key – that’s what has made this partnership last so long.”
One Team in the Sky
For the Air TV crew, spending so much time with the pilots, paramedics and doctors has built real bonds.
“Over the years, we’ve become part of the gang, really,” George says. “I remember one particularly difficult job that was never filmed. Matt wasn’t even on camera that day, but he waited outside the scene just to make sure everyone was okay. That says everything about the relationship between us and the crew.”
It’s a connection that runs deep – built on shared respect, empathy, and the understanding that every mission is more than a story: it’s someone’s life.
Yorkshire: The Perfect Backdrop
It’s hard to imagine a better place to make a show like Yorkshire Air 999.
“The variety of Yorkshire is amazing,” Matt says. “You’ve got the moors, the coast, the cities, the national parks, the farms. There’s nowhere else that gives that mix of beauty, danger, and character.”
And, of course, Yorkshire people themselves bring something special. “They’re naturally funny, resilient, and down to earth,” George adds. “Farmers, walkers, climbers – they all have great stories and brilliant humour, even in tough situations. It makes for really honest television.”
A Partnership That Saves Lives
The success of Yorkshire Air 999 isn’t just about viewing figures. It’s about awareness, education, and fundraising for Yorkshire Air Ambulance – a service that relies entirely on donations.
“It’s a symbiotic relationship,” Matt reflects.
“Without YAA, we wouldn’t have a show. But by showing what they do – the speed, the skill, the compassion – we help people understand why the charity matters so much.”
And that, ultimately, is what keeps both teams – on the ground, in the sky, and behind the lens – working side by side.
Keeping Yorkshire Flying
From foggy days at Topcliffe to bright rescues over the Dales, the partnership between Yorkshire Air Ambulance and Air TV continues to shine a light on the region’s lifesaving heroes.
It’s a story built on trust, teamwork, and a shared mission: to keep Yorkshire Air Ambulance flying.
