East Anglian Air Ambulance
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The East Anglian Air Ambulance is an air ambulance which covers Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire and Bedfordshire. The service was launched in the summer of 2000 by jockey Frankie Dettori. The service now operates 365 days a year utilising two helicopters, covering over 5,000 square miles and a population of approximately 2.5 million[1]. Although the service was launched in 2000, flying did not commence until January 2001.
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[edit] The Aircraft
The service operates two BK 117 helicopters. These helicopters operate with the code names Anglia One and Anglia Two. Anglia One covers Norfolk and Suffolk, while Anglia Two covers Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire. Both helicopters are equipped for night-time flying in cloudy conditions. The night service does not operate in the same manner as during the daytime, instead landing at known and approved sites. It is hence mainly used in the transportation of patients between hospitals.
[edit] Operations
The two helicopters operate from different bases. Anglia One begins and ends its day at Norwich Airport, where Sterling Helicopters (the operator) is based. During the day, it relocates to RAF Honington to cover Norfolk and Suffolk. Anglia Two operates from its base at RAF Wyton.
When the service was first launched, Anglia One operated for only one day a week; this was soon expanded to five days a week and later to the current service of seven days a week. Anglia Two currently operates five days a week (from Sunday to Thursday); however, it is hoped that it will be able to operate seven days a week by the end of 2008.
[edit] Finances
The East Anglian Air Ambulance is a charitable service and does not receive funding from the government. It is estimated that it costs £3m a year[2] to keep both helicopters and the service operational; this money comes entirely from public donations.
