The charity currently operates an Airbus EC 135 and an H145 helicopter; the former based at Eaglescott, the latter at Exeter Airport.

They are both crewed by one pilot and up to three clinical specialists and can accommodate one patient on a stretcher.

Both helicopters are equipped with specialist night-vision equipment allowing it to be operated during the hours of darkness with Night Vision Goggle (NVG) trained crews.

Both aircraft have a cruising speed of 140 mph for close to an hour when delivering specialist care directly to patients and then transporting them to the most appropriate hospital for continued care if required.

The charity replaced a second older EC 135 with a new Airbus H145 in 2020, going online in November that year.

The newer H145 helicopter provides an increase in space while the interior layout greatly improves access to patients and provides a better environment for the clinicians to deliver the excellent enhanced clinical care that DAA can now offer.

An increase in Maximum All Up Weight (MAUW) will allow additional fuel to be carried that will improve our operational capability as our current aircraft occasionally need refuelling at the extremes of our operating area before returning to base.