Sunday 16 August marks World Helicopter Day, an annual celebration of the vital role helicopters play in communities across the globe. From search and rescue operations and disaster relief to firefighting, offshore work and emergency medical care, helicopters help save lives every day. This year is the 12th annual World Helicopter Day, recognising the people who design, maintain, support and fly these remarkable aircraft.
At Air Ambulance Charity Kent Surrey Sussex (KSS), our helicopters are at the heart of delivering lifesaving pre-hospital emergency care to critically ill and injured patients across Kent, Surrey and Sussex. Our Leonardo AW169 helicopters, flown by our highly-skilled pilots, enable our specialist doctors and paramedics to reach patients quickly, bringing the emergency room directly to the scene, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Our aircraft
Since becoming one of the first UK air ambulance services to operate the AW169 in 2017, KSS has benefited from the aircraft’s speed, performance and larger cabin space. The helicopters help our crews reach any part of Kent, Surrey and Sussex in under 30 minutes and are equipped with state-of-the-art medical equipment. The spacious cabin allows clinicians greater access to their patients and enables more advanced life-saving interventions to be carried out both on the ground and in the air.
Every mission is a team effort, and our pilots play a crucial role in ensuring our doctors, paramedics and specialist equipment arrive safely and swiftly wherever they are needed.
We asked some of our pilots what it means to them to fly for KSS.
Pilot Ed Worsley
KSS pilot Ed Worsley joined KSS after an international aviation career that included offshore operations across Europe, carrying out complex hoist missions to wind turbines and ships in the North Sea.
Reflecting on what makes flying for KSS so rewarding, Ed said:
“What I love most about KSS is the teamwork. As pilots, we get the crew and equipment exactly where they need to be, often in challenging conditions, and it’s incredible to watch the doctors and paramedics perform procedures like thoracotomies and blood transfusions at the roadside. Every mission is meaningful, and it’s a privilege to play a part in it.”
Ed, who trained in New Zealand and Canada and holds UK, European and Canadian licences, added:
“Working here reminds me that everything we achieve is down to teamwork. One team, one dream, all part of Team KSS.”
Pilot Carla Feben
World Helicopter Day is also an opportunity to celebrate the diverse range of people working across aviation. Earlier this year, Carla Feben became our first female pilot.
Originally from Cornwall, Carla discovered her passion for flying while working on the Red Bull Air Race before training in Florida and building a varied aviation career supporting charter operations and offshore wind farms.
Speaking about her role, Carla said:
“Being a pilot at KSS is a privilege. Having known someone personally affected by HEMS, it means a lot to now be in a position where I can help others in their most critical moments, whilst doing a job I love.”
She also hopes her journey will inspire the next generation of pilots:
“It’s really encouraging to see young girls looking at the helicopter with excitement, and if that inspires even one of them to think, ‘I could do that’, then that’s something I’m really proud of.”
Carla added:
“For anyone thinking about becoming a pilot, I’d say do your research, stay determined and don’t be afraid to take that first step. Every stage of my career so far has brought memorable moments, but being here at KSS, working alongside such a skilled and dedicated team, and helping people when they need it most, is something truly special.”
Former Chief Pilot Blaine Ashurst, now Aviation Ground Support Officer
“I joined the charity in 1999, ten years after KSS was founded by the remarkable Kate Chivers and my aviation career now spans over 43 years. I’ve flown roughly 9,000 hours, which technically means I have spent just over a year of my life off the planet, airborne in a helicopter.
I’ve flown 10 different types of helicopter and led the introduction of the MD902 for KSS in early 2000. I always wanted to fly the 902, it was an ambition of mine since first seeing it at Heli Meet in Redhill in 1998. To have fulfilled that ambition for so long in the HEMS role and have supported the community at the same time was an absolute privilege.”
This World Helicopter Day, we are proud to celebrate not only our helicopters, but also the highly skilled pilots, engineers, dispatchers and support teams who help keep our service operational every day.
Whether responding to a major trauma on a roadside, reaching a patient in a remote location, or transferring specialist medical teams rapidly across the region, helicopters remain a crucial part of how KSS delivers expert critical care when every second counts.
To everyone who supports KSS and helps keep our helicopters flying, thank you. Together, we can continue saving lives across Kent, Surrey and Sussex.
