Wiltshire's new air ambulance - a £5m Bell 429 - took to the skies today.

Officially unveiled on Friday, today was a chance for a view inside the cockpit and to see the helicopter, which goes into service on January 1, put through its paces.

Matt Baskerville, who has been a critical care paramedic with WAA for three years, said: “It’s faster and has a bigger cabin for patients inside, with air conditioning so you can keep the patients cool.

“It’s got better night-flying capabilities. We won’t have to use the thermal imaging camera anymore, as we’ve got the night sun on the back so we can use that to illuminate the ground with a white light or the infra red light.

“Quite simply it is modern, whereas the other aircraft is 15 years old.” 

Fact file:

Top speed is 180mph, compared with current helicopter’s 161mph.

Can scramble in two minutes and reach anywhere in the county within nine minutes.

Maximum cruise speed is 173mph, compared with 154mph for the present helicopter.

Cost to remain operational is £6,850 a day.

Can carry two clinical staff, compared with one paramedic and a police observer currently.

Twin engine with combined deliverable power of 1,100hp.

Fuel capacity of 821 litres.  

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