In this episode of Summit in the Air, we step inside one of the most dynamic and versatile roles at Yorkshire Air Ambulance – the Technical Crew Member (TCM). It’s a position that sits at the very heart of every mission, balancing aviation precision with emergency care.
Listen to the podcast below, and find the readable version just underneath.
Will Newton, one of YAA’s experienced TCMs, reveals what it’s really like to juggle radios, navigation, patient care and teamwork – all while flying low over Yorkshire’s hills, dales and cities.
“Each Flight Means Something to Someone”
“I’m a massive fan of aviation,” Will says, a grin in his voice. “I was always after a job where there’d be interesting flying – and this is really interesting flying.”
Unlike commercial pilots cruising safely at high altitude, YAA’s crews fly low and fast – weaving through valleys, over rooftops, and landing in fields, car parks and playgrounds.
“You’re flying low-level, over all kinds of terrain – built-up areas, remote moors – and landing where you’d never imagine a helicopter could get into. Seeing that up close… it’s just a really cool job.”
But for Will, the flying is only half the story.
“On a deeper level, it’s a super cool job – but each flight means something to someone. We’re helping people who are in distress, often on the worst days of their lives. Every single flight matters.”
A Job of Two Halves
The TCM’s job is a constant dance between cockpit and casualty.
“My primary job is to assist the pilot with radios, navigation and picking landing sites,” Will explains. “But I’m also trained to the level of an Emergency Care Assistant, so I can help the clinicians on scene – setting up equipment, handing over what they need. It’s a dual role where you’re part of both worlds.”
“It’s not flying from A to B – it’s flying from A to anywhere.”
Each shift begins with detailed checks – ensuring the aircraft is airworthy, ready, and spotless. “When we’re not flying, we’re running the air base – doing admin, supporting the charity, or welcoming former patients for visits,” Will adds.
Day and Night: Two Very Different Worlds
At the Nostell airbase, crews work early and late shifts. Daytime brings rapid-response flying, while nights add a new dimension: night-vision operations.
“For nights, we fit our helmets with night-vision goggles,” Will explains. “We calibrate them to our eyes because everyone’s vision is different. Once they’re on, everything appears in black and green – it’s incredible. You can see all the stars, the shapes of the hills, even the eyes of sheep glowing in the fields.”
“When you’re descending into the dark abyss with night vision on, and you can see every star – it’s an experience not many people ever get.” – Will Newton Flying at night is quieter and calmer – but also a real test of skill. “Only HEMS units and the military fly at night with NVGs. It’s a rare skill, and it relies completely on teamwork between me and the pilot.”
Pride in the Yellow Helicopter
Will’s pride extends beyond the missions – to the aircraft itself.
“I get a lot of satisfaction out of cleaning the aircraft,” he says. “It’s paid for by the people of Yorkshire, so we look after it. When we land, people often comment, ‘It’s pretty clean, isn’t it?’ and that means a lot.”
“The helicopter’s bright yellow – perfect for visibility, terrible for hiding exhaust soot! But we keep on top of it, because it’s Yorkshire’s helicopter.” – Will Newton
Busy weekends mean even busier Mondays. “You can come in after two days of flying and the tail’s black from exhaust fumes. We scrub it down so it stays bright yellow – that’s part of the pride we all share.”
The Names That Fly With Them
As part of the 25th anniversary celebrations, YAA launched A Year of Yorkshire – a campaign allowing supporters to add their names to the helicopter tail. For Will, one name stands out.
“My grandad’s name, Keith Mountain, is on the back of G-YAAR,” he says proudly. “He used to track the aircraft on flight radar and tell me where we’d been. So we added his name as a birthday present. Now, when he sees the helicopter fly over, he can say, ‘That’s the one with my name on it.’”
“Now we can say, ‘that’s the aircraft with your name on it’ – and he can see it flying overhead” – Will Newton
A Mission That Comes Full Circle
Will’s aviation story started young. “I joined the Air Cadets when I was 13,” he recalls. “That’s where I first learned to fly, navigate and lead.”
Years later, that early experience came full circle in one unforgettable rescue. “We got a call from mountain rescue – a walker was injured on top of Pen-y-Ghent. It was minus eleven, pitch black, and we were flying with night-vision goggles. Out of eight million people in Yorkshire, the casualty turned out to be my old Air Cadets instructor – the one who taught me how to cross the mountains.”
Her face, he says, was priceless. “You should have seen her when she realised it was me! We flew her to Leeds General Infirmary and laughed about it the next day. Life has a funny way of going full circle.”
Teamwork, Trust and the Unexpected
On any given day, YAA crews can respond to one mission – or six. “We see a lot of trauma and medical emergencies,” Will explains. “But we look after each other too. When we come back from a job, we debrief, talk, and make sure everyone’s okay. We’re one team.”
“It’s all about teamwork – in the air, on the ground, and back at base. We’re one crew, looking after each other.”
Asked what he’d do if he wasn’t a TCM, Will laughs. “It’d have to be the pilot. I write each mission and see what they do – it’s amazing. Some of the flying they do is really complex, but they make it look easy.”
A Job That Never Stops Meaning Something
From dawn checks to midnight descents over the Dales, Will’s pride in his work never fades.
“Every flight is different,” he says. “You never know where you’ll end up – but you know you’ll be helping someone.”
And that’s what makes Yorkshire Air Ambulance so special. It’s not just about helicopters or heroics – it’s about teamwork, community, and the people of Yorkshire, whose generosity keeps those bright yellow helicopters flying.
