Sunday 17 August marks World Helicopter Day, a global celebration of the vital role helicopters play in emergency response, transport, and public service. For us it’s a moment to celebrate our amazing aircraft, expertly flown by our incredible pilots and maintained by expert engineers and reflect on the extraordinary impact of our aircraft and crews in delivering critical care across Kent, Surrey and Sussex.
Our helicopters are flying emergency rooms equipped with state-of-the-art medical interiors co-designed by our team. When there’s a life-or-death call, we bring specialised doctors, paramedics and treatment to the scene, fast. And we don’t stop 24/7, 365 days a year
They are much more than impressive machines, they are lifelines which enable our crews to reach any part of Kent, Surrey and Sussex in under 30 minutes along with lifesaving equipment equivalent to that found in hospital emergency departments. This enables us to deliver critical care to patients when every second counts.
Our very first helicopter, back in 1989, was the AS355 Twin Squirrel. It had a top speed of 172mph and carried one pilot plus two crew members in addition to the patient.
Subsequently we have used both the MBB BO115 and the MD 902 helicopters.
Today we operate the Leonardo AW169. It has a top speed of 184mph, a range of 400 nautical miles (460 miles). It has two pilots, and sufficient space for 3 crew members, the patient and a relative.
Since becoming the first UK air ambulance to fly 24/7 all year in 2013, we’ve attended thousands of missions, thanks to our night-capable aircraft. The AW169’s enhanced speed, fuel endurance, and spacious cabin allow for 360-degree in-flight access to patients—making it possible to perform complex interventions in the air when every second counts.
Our helicopters are based at Redhill Aerodrome in Surrey but can fly from our charity headquarters at Rochester Airport. Each aircraft is crewed by a Captain and a First Officer, both qualified pilots, and undergoes rigorous daily and weekly mechanical checks to ensure safety and reliability.
World Helicopter Day celebrates the vital role helicopters play in modern society. Held annually on the third Sunday of August, the day aims to raise public awareness of range of work carried out using helicopters around the world, from air ambulance services like KSS to firefighting, agriculture, and infrastructure maintenance.
This World Helicopter Day, we celebrate not only the technology and innovation behind our aircraft but also the 35-year legacy of KSS and the unwavering support of our community. It’s thanks to our incredible supporters that we continue to our lifesaving service, 24/7.
