johnee
21st Aug 2003, 21:03
Understand that Great North Air Ambulance intend to launch an appeal for a dedicated Air Ambulance in Cumbria. Any info?
Looking for crew?
PANews
22nd Aug 2003, 23:56
Great North unveiled the project to add a third aircraft to its fleet at the Appleby Show and the charity, which serves Cumbria as well as the Scottish borders and North Yorkshire with its two North East-based air ambulances, believes it is time Cumbria had its own helicopter.
Not having its own aircraft Cumbria is served by North West [Blackpool] and Great North [Blyth and Teesside].
Last year Great North flew there on 40 occasions.
If sufficient funds are forthcoming the air ambulance would probably be based in Penrith but North West are muttering about 'interlopers' apparently!
In a way GN are joining others in scrambling to get cheap airframes in place before JAR OPS 3 bites in a year or so - then invoke Grandfather Rights for a year or two.
Lots of suggestions that next year they will all be grounded by JAR OPS3 but most unlikely - the government wouldnt survive it!
Current industry best guess is that 2006-08 is a likely final cut-off.
Raise some money for them in Carlisle and you may be ensuring yourself of a job!