When the Duke of Cambridge takes to the skies with the East Anglian Air Ambulance (EAAA) service this summer, it will be at the controls of a new state-of-the-art helicopter.

Eastern Daily Press:

The “bigger and better” EC145 T2 helicopter, the first of its kind to go into service in England, can cover greater distances without refuelling, has more space for paramedics to work on patients and carries sophisticated medical equipment so treatment can be administered more quickly.

It can accommodate two pilots, three clinicians and a patient enabling the flight crew and medical teams to work independently on their lifesaving work. With two pilots, it will also be easier to navigate night flights and landings.

The EAAA, which is celebrating its 15th anniversary this year, unveiled the new helicopter at a launch event today. The Duke, the charity’s latest recruit, was unable to attend as he is now on paternity leave until June 1 awaiting the birth of his second child.

According to Alex Stobo of Bond Air Services, which employs and trains the charity’s pilots, Prince William finished his initial training ahead of schedule, and passed “with flying colours”.

He will start his final three-week block of training on the new EC145 –which he is yet to fly – as soon as he returns to work. And he is likely to face a busy schedule.

From 2013/14, the EAAA attended 1,730 missions – an average of 4.7 per day – and out of those, 244 were night missions. Since its inception in 2000, more than 16,000 missions have been undertaken.

During that time, the equipment including the helicopters has advanced significantly.

EAAA medical director, Alistair Wilson, said the set-up in the new helicopter – which includes an advanced stretcher system to make it easier to attach lifesaving medical equipment and load patients into the aircraft – could knock between five and 10 minutes off the time it takes to reach and treat a patient.

He added: “Air ambulances are no longer seen as an ambulance to convey patients to hospital for treatment – they are mobile medical centres. The stretcher is vital for making the speed of getting the patient into the ambulance quicker.

“Also, because non-specialist hospitals can often be challenged to get a full trauma team out, we can provide care in the ambulance, take teams in to assist with the resuscitation process and then transfer the patient to a major trauma centre.”

The charity’s existing EC135 helicopter, which is also capable of night flight, will be moved to Norwich. Then from February next year, a second EC145 T2 will be acquired and will replace the current EC135 helicopter. However, night flights are unlikely to operate from Norwich in the short term.

Patrick Peal, chief executive of the EAAA, said: “The 135 from Cambridge will be going to Norfolk next week because it has a better autopilot system and night flying capability.

“We are not planning to use it immediately for night flights because the pilot has to be supported in the cockpit by a paramedic with night goggles who acts as navigator.

“Due to the range and capability of the 145, we don’t feel there will be a need to operate night flights out of Norwich in the short term. We will review this situation from February next year, when we will have two 145s providing air ambulance cover across the East of England.”

Mr Peal said the 135 would operate a 12-hour shift so would inevitably carry out some of its missions after 4pm during the winter months.

The EAAA is funded entirely through donations and grants. Mr Peal added: “We are indebted to the people of East Anglia for their support and encouragement which has seen us grow from a one helicopter, one day a week operation in 2000 to two state-of-the-art helicopters with a doctor and critical care paramedic crew available every day of the year from 7am to 1.30am.”