Wiltshire Air Ambulance has announced George Lawrence as unit chief pilot of the new Bell 429 helicopter which starts operating on January 1.
George Lawrence, who has flown Wiltshire’s Air Ambulance for the past 13 years, will be one of four pilots to fly the new helicopter, the first of its kind to be used as an air ambulance in the UK.
The new helicopter, supplied and maintained by Heli Charter, will have the latest in-flight technology and trauma care equipment.
Mr Lawrence will start flying the Bell 429 in November for training and testing.
He said: “I’m proud to be part of Wiltshire Air Ambulance. I find it humbling to meet patients and members of the public who have raised money for it.”
The charity has also announced that Kevin Reed, a long-serving crew member on Wiltshire Air Ambulance, has joined as its new head of operations.
He will be responsible for managing the air ambulance’s temporary base at Wiltshire Police HQ in Devizes and the contract with Heli Charter, as well as searching for a new home for the charity.
The joint helicopter partnership ends in December when the police will become part of the National Police Air Service.
Mr Reed has been a police observer on the existing joint helicopter serving Wiltshire Police and Wiltshire Air Ambulance for the last 12 years.
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