Trailblazing woman helicopter pilot joins Wiltshire Air Ambulance

Capt Smith is the UK’s first female Helicopter Emergency Medical Services (HEMS) pilot, joining WAA on November 1 after serving three and a half years with Essex and Herts Air Ambulance.

She made history as the UK’s first woman military helicopter pilot in 1992 and was also the first woman to command an operational flying squadron in a 17 year career with the Royal Air Force (RAF). She primarily flew search and rescue Sea King helicopters.

Wiltshire Air Ambulance is also making aviation history as its new helicopter is the first Bell 429 to operate as an air ambulance in the UK.

The charity starts operating the Bell 429 as a dedicated air ambulance in January 2015 as its 24 year partnership with Wiltshire Police for the joint helicopter comes to an end in December 2014, when the force joins the National Police Air Service.

Capt Smith, who lives near Devizes, was at the launch event of the Bell 429 at Trafalgar Park, near Salisbury, on October 24 and met supporters of WAA.

She said: “It was fantastic to see the Bell 429, looking super smart in the new Wiltshire Air Ambulance livery.

"This modern, fast helicopter represents a real step forward in safety and space available, leading to a high level of care for patients in Wiltshire.

“I was bowled over by the huge level of support for the new air ambulance service by the people of Wiltshire and I was particularly struck by the amazing reception given to the crew and patients.

"I know that I will be working for a class outfit and am very excited about coming on board and flying Helimed 22 (the new helicopter’s call sign). The opportunity to be part of a team introducing a new aircraft into service is an exciting proposition.”

Capt Smith's childhood dream was to become a helicopter pilot. Her father served in the Army and the family lived at an Army Air Corps base in Germany and she loved to watch helicopters taking off and landing.