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Cockpit interior and aerial view

Helicopters & crew

The team that responds to patients in time-critical situations.

Discover more about the history of our service, meet our lifesaving team, and take a 360° tour of our H145 aircraft.

Our 360° tour

Our helicopters over the years

We take great pride in our heritage and the key milestones that have shaped our journey. None of this would be possible without the incredible support of our donors, fundraisers, and volunteers.

Be sure to check back regularly for updates to our fleet history.

Our first aircraft

The first aircraft our crew went out on was leased to us in 1992. Here pictured with our first crew and Devon Air Ambulance Founder, Ann Ralli

Bolkow 105 - our first branded aircraft

Our first branded aircraft

The Bolkow 105 was the first leased aircraft we could apply our branding to in 1993.

Stretched Bolkow

The arrival of the stretched Bolkow

In 1999, the stretched Bolkow gave clinicians greater room to care for a patient.

The GDAAT 135

The arrival of the GDAAT 135

The GDAAT 135 arrived with us in 2004 and served until October 2013.

GDVAA on Dartmoor

The G-DVAA, October 2008-April 2022

Replacing the older aircraft. We now had our first owned helicopter, which ultimately saved our supporters money. Our two aircraft served from our Eaglescott in North Devon and our Exeter airbases. We sold this aircraft to Thames Valley in 2020 and they are still operating it.

G-DAAN – August 2013 to present

The Devon public got behind a BBC Radio campaign to raise funds for the G-DAAN aircraft, which replaced the older model. This aircraft remains in flight today and serves our Eaglescott airbase in North Devon.

G-DAAN on beach
G-DAAS in a rural community

June 2020 to present

The G-DAAS H145 model aircraft featuring the G-DAAS call sign is also owned by the charity and replaced the GDVAA during Covid. It has been with us since, operating from the Exeter airbase. Read more about it!

Our crew

Our pilots and engineers, HEMS doctors and critical care paramedics, make up the team that responds to incidents every day of the year.

Meet the team to find out more:

The Kit our crew carries

Our aircraft and Critical Care Cars carry the same drugs, kit and equipment and are supported by the same clinical expertise. Read more about the kit our crew carries, what it is used for, and what it costs.