Yorkshire Air Ambulance - trouble at 't mill?
 

Rumour alert. Now I'm not one to gossip but...I heard that MAS have been given their marching orders by the Trust for being "too expensive". Even worse I heard that...somebody in "the flying business" who may or may not be a friend of one of the Trustees (but who has no AOC or any relevant experience) has been given the nod to take over.. .. .If this is true - if you are going to have an accident in Yorkshire, have it soon.. .. .Anybody know any more?

Any idea which operator 'friend of the trust' is?

<a href="http://tap.ccta.gov.uk/doh/intpress.nsf/page/2002-0165?OpenDocument" target="_blank">http://tap.ccta.gov.uk/doh/intpress.nsf/page/2002-0165?OpenDocument</a>. .. .Funny when they are now beeing given additional funds.

MAS are on termination of contract because a friend of the chairman of the trust has said that he can operate the air ambulance for a paltry sum each month. The fact that he won't get an AOC or be allowed the exemptions from the ANO has unfortunately passed them by. They are only now realising that the CAA dictate who is allowed to fly these machines and it will have to be one of the main operators (MAS, Bond, Sloane etc...), not some third-rate amateur. Watch out for a MAS extension of contract.. .. .Surely the trust chairman should just be raising money, not trying to get his pals to fly the thing as well?

PUSH TO SHOCK - start your search at Sherburn in Elmet.. .. .IIDS ME - Perhaps they are going to save money by letting PPLs build time flying the heli, "P1/S" just like Captain Chuck does with the traffic watch 206 in the States.. .. .Alternatively, strap a camera on the front and sell the footage of all the carnage to Yorkshire Television.

Not sure why it should have to be MAS, BOND or Sloane.
What about Hems, Devon and Cornwall police and the MET?
They all appear to operate successfully as stand alone operations.
You save on operating costs but you lose out on having to contract in pilots and aircraft if required to cover sickness (on both counts!!!!). However I bet that doesn't come free anyway.
I believe that dedicated crews and engineers brings benefits of their own which are not always obvious to those holding the purse strings.

Rob you are right, it doesn't have to be the main operators, just anyone who can satisfy the CAA and gain an AOC, Which Virgin HEMS have. The Police units need only gain a PAOC and then employ their pilots/engineers.
Yorkshire Air Ambulance should ask themselves why the established units such as County air ambulance/Devon/Cornwall/Kent/Lincs etc use the AOC of the major companies and don't go to the hassle of trying to gain an AOC of their own?

Air Ambulance suppliers
 

HMMM.... What about Welsh Air Amb and East Anglia.
Big companies are good if you Break one or two!! who has the biggest repair bills?
Not all Police units hold PAOC's and the operator holds it.

Welsh Air Ambulance=Bond. East Anglia=Sterling (I think). Both AOC holders, both major operators approved by the CAA. You're right, some police units use the helicopter company's PAOC and you are right again, big company = spare aircraft and pilots when either goes bust (if you have the right sort of lease).
Northumberland Air Ambulance is off-line just now due to the aircraft being away for service and no agreement in place for a spare.
I hear that the Sherburn bloke and his mate from Walton Wood have been desperately searching the country for a reputable AOC holder to jump into bed with them and try to convince the CAA that they can cobble together an Air Ambulance operation.

Not all Police units hold PAOC's and the operator holds it.

A little update on Stevie Terrier's post ...

A recent report by an inspector of constabulary has suggested that police forces [or consortiums] should have their own PAOCs and not rely on contractor ones.

Best guess that the only 'loser' on this may be PAS/MAS as they hold the greatest number of contractor held PAOCs. Mind you how long this would take to filter through is another matter.