Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance Second Helicoper

Helis, March 01, 2026 - Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance has reached a significant milestone in its 2nd Heli Appeal, as its second Leonardo AW169 helicopter has arrived in the United Kingdom and entered the next phase of preparation for operational service.

Launched in September, the appeal aimed to raise £1 million toward the purchase and equipping of a second aircraft. Supported by careful long-term financial stewardship, the charity committed £9.5 million to acquire the helicopter, which is now progressing through its final stages before entering service.

Following completion of manufacturing and successful test flights, the aircraft was ferried to the UK on February 20 by Captain Paul Nolan and Senior First Officer Mark Howard-Smith. It is now based at Gloucestershire Airport, where Gama Aviation will carry out a specialist Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) fit-out.

Earlier in the year, CEO Charles Hackett visited the Leonardo production facility to inspect the aircraft during its final stages of assembly and testing.

The most significant aspect of the upcoming work will involve installing a fully equipped medical interior in the rear cabin. This configuration will mirror that of the charity’s existing AW169 helicopter, G-DSAA—known as “Peggy”—allowing seamless operational interchange between the two aircraft.

The new helicopter will carry the registration G-DSCC, reflecting its dedicated role as a critical care platform. Over the coming months, it will be transformed from a modern airframe into a fully equipped flying intensive care unit, capable of delivering advanced pre-hospital care across Dorset and Somerset.

The medical fit-out is expected to take several months, with entry into service anticipated in Summer 2026. Once operational, the second helicopter will enhance the charity’s ability to respond to life-threatening emergencies, improving resilience and coverage for the region.

The organisation noted that continued public support has been instrumental in reaching this stage and will remain essential as the project moves toward completion.

AW169 standard cabin

Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance are accepting donations to support the design and manufacture of an enhanced medical interior that will be installed across both of their helicopters.

Leonardo AW169 – Development and EMS Role

The Leonardo AW169 is a twin-engine light-intermediate helicopter developed to address a strategic gap in the 4.5-ton class between smaller single-engine platforms and larger medium twins. The aircraft performed its maiden flight in 2012 and was conceived as a next-generation replacement for aging utility helicopters, integrating modern avionics, improved performance, and enhanced operational flexibility. It received certification from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) in 2015, marking its entry into service across multiple civil and governmental roles.

A key feature of the AW169 is its advanced avionics suite, including a fully digital glass cockpit with touchscreen interfaces, designed to reduce pilot workload and improve situational awareness. The helicopter is also equipped with an Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) mode, allowing onboard systems—including cabin equipment—to operate independently of the main rotors. This capability is particularly valuable during ground operations, reducing fuel consumption and noise while maintaining full system functionality.

Since its introduction, the AW169 has been widely adopted for executive transport, offshore support, law enforcement, and utility missions. Its combination of performance, cabin space, and comparatively lower operating costs relative to larger helicopters has contributed to its popularity among operators seeking a versatile multi-role platform.

AW169 HEMS cabin

In the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) sector, the AW169 has become a prominent platform due to its spacious and configurable cabin. Its design supports a longitudinal stretcher arrangement, enabling medical personnel to access the patient from all sides—an important improvement over more constrained layouts in smaller helicopters. This configuration enhances in-flight treatment capabilities and aligns more closely with intensive care standards.

Additionally, the AW169’s high power-to-weight ratio, twin-engine safety, and advanced flight systems make it well suited for Helicopter Emergency Medical Services (HEMS) operations in demanding environments, including mountainous regions and densely populated urban areas. These characteristics allow for rapid deployment, stable flight performance, and safe patient transport, reinforcing the aircraft’s role as a modern benchmark in air ambulance aviation.