Always interesting to see another persons take on an NPAS presentation.... a report in Aviation Today on the ADAC’s HEMS conference which took place last month ADAC HEMS Academy at Bonn airport in Germany.
Ollie Dismore, representing the UK’s National Police Air Service, gave a progress update saying that there were now 19 helicopter bases within England and Wales (Scotland is already separate) with 23 helicopters available (16 EC135s, one EC145, and one MD Explorer). The force flew 16,000 hours in 2014, but because of the organization’s expansion, it is expected to log approximately 26,000 hours next year. He also added that the Metropolitan Police, with their three EC135s, were due to join on Oct. 1, 2014.
The next stage in the force’s development was rationalization. “Bases need to be located to support the local requirement. We know where the true demands are now,” he said, adding that there was over capacity in some areas, especially where air support units from different constabularies had been geographically located in close proximity to each other. He said by inheriting all of the contracts within one agency, NPAS was currently saving around $3.2 million (£2 million) per year. However, such a national organization could now work with the benefits of fixed wing aircraft and were looking at buying six airplanes which did mark a change in strategy, although they would still work alongside rotorcraft.
OK a few [reporting?] errors in there but its another take on the same subject.