East Anglian Air Ambulance temporarily grounded/Longmint status
 

From this morning's EDP

East Anglian Air Ambulance temporarily grounded - News - Eastern Daily Press

What is happening at Sterling, seems to have gone downhill in recent years.:(

static

Longmint??

Latest news is that [as pre-planned] Bond have supplied two early model BO105s so they are up and running again.

EAAA are sending out a 'proper' press release tomorrow.

Everyone that knew GH, said it was a sad day when he left, I can only say how right they were.

I also hear the Police contract is on its way elsewhere, can't have much left on the books now.

One version
 

19/2/11 Statement: EAAA's aircraft supplier

Clare Philips, 19 February 2011

The East Anglian Air Ambulance has activated a contingency plan due to operational issues with the current supplier of its aircraft, Sterling Aviation. Sterling is temporarily unable to provide the EAAA with an air ambulance service, so, as an interim measure the charity will continue to operate using alternative aircraft from a different supplier, Bond Air Services.

The charity has taken this step to ensure the continuation of the service provided by both Anglia One and Anglia Two (based in Norwich and Cambridge Airport respectively) but will involve the EAAA using different aircraft. This is because of a procedural issue and, in the short term, the helicopters will not be EAAA branded.

The alternative aircraft are expected to be fully operational from Sunday 20th February and will continue to transport the same highly trained doctors and paramedics across the four counties in the same way as Anglia One and Anglia Two.

The EAAA’s partners at Essex and Hertfordshire Air Ambulance Trust (EHAAT) and the East of England NHS Ambulance Trust are fully aware and supportive of move it’s made to ensure the continuity of its service.

Deputy Chief Executive of the EAAA Steve Whitby said: “Although the current situation with Sterling Aviation is extremely regrettable we have quickly activated our contingency plan to ensure a smooth handover to a new contractor as an interim measure. Of course, our main concern is that the charity continues to provide a first class air ambulance service to the people of Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire and Bedfordshire. Thanks to a strong contingency plan and excellent team work within EAAA and our partners we will achieve this. The only change the people of East Anglia will notice is the colour of our helicopters – which will be red and not EAAA branded. We will be fully operational from both EAAA bases from Sunday 20th February. This would have been achieved sooner but for adverse weather conditions which stopped all air ambulance activity in East Anglia today.”

Anyone know why the pulled the AOC?

People have left so approved post are not filled nothing dubious....

i actually think that is pretty dubious!

A replacement aircraft arrived at Norwich about an hour ago.
B105 / G-BUXS.

If approved post-holders are leaving, with no-one to replace them, this smacks of pppp (P... Poor Planning+Proceedures)...... or are they leaving the sinking ship?

Or were they pushed?

This is not the first instance of unrest in this group.:sad:

Not according to the CAA, they haven't....

From the NHS Ambulance Trust web-site
 

The NHS Ambulance Trust has praised the ‘remarkable speed’ in which the East Anglian Air Ambulance (EAAA) solved a potentially difficult air operations issue this weekend.
Late on Friday afternoon the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) temporarily suspended the Air Operators Certificate (AOC) of Norwich-based firm Sterling Aviation due to procedural issues. This meant the two yellow helicopters Anglia One (based at Norwich Airport) and Anglia Two (based at Cambridge Airport) were grounded. However, the charity quickly activated their contingency plan and brought in aircraft supplied by an alternative operator, Bond Air Services

CAA
 

So does anyone actually know what happended? Is seems pretty serious to me that the regulator can pull the plug on an air amb op with zero notice and not a word? :confused:

Procedure?
 

Who's the Form 4 QM for the Operation (and for its engineering support)? - VFR

Please note my last post. The CAA have _not_ pulled the AOC as of lunchtime today, Monday.

I would provide you a link, but the moderator would remove it.

can't sterling voluntarily 'give up' their AOC?

Yes, just like AgustaWestland handed back the Westland 30 type certificate so they did not need to support the fleet. But handing back an approval certificate is like saying they don't need it any more.. so voluntarily giving it up may mean there's a risk that any attempt to reinstate would be considered a new application.

But then I suppose Longmint group has other AOCs....

Yes, that makes sense. Not sure how this relates to the air ambulance though. I'm guessing they'll be some kind of tender process.