Helicopter goes in for annual service

For many people across Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire, our red helicopter, G-TVLY, is a familiar sight overhead. But you might not see our aircraft for a little while, because G-TVLY is currently undergoing routine mandatory maintenance.

Our helicopter went in for its annual service on 12th January, and we expect this to take up to five weeks.

Since we brought our air operations in-house, we can make decisions about our aircraft based on our own data. January is a good time to schedule maintenance, as weather conditions can restrict flying at this time of year.

Routine services like this are part of our scheduled maintenance plan and we are still delivering the same level of critical care through our Critical Care Response Vehicles (CCRVs). This is exactly the same as when bad weather prevents our helicopter from flying and the CCRVs take the lead.

We are able to roster an additional CCRV when the aircraft is offline and, since our cars carry the same equipment and drugs as our helicopter, we are not calling on neighbouring air ambulance services to offer mutual aid any more than usual during this maintenance period.

Due to the largely urban area in which we operate, with a highly connected road network, our CCRVs are an extremely efficient way of bringing our critical care paramedics and doctors to the patient when they are needed most.

We are looking forward to having G-TVLY back, ready to take on the challenges of the year ahead. Until then, we will continue to keep our community safe by bringing hospital-level care by car to those who need it.

Did you know?

• G-TVLY has a top speed of 135mph
• Between our base at RAF Benson and and anywhere in the three counties we serve, our flight time is just 15 minutes
• Our helicopter requires a landing space at least the size of two tennis courts
• We brought our air operations in-house in 2022
• We have a team of four highly experienced pilots