I joined the Devon Air Ambulance in June 2014 as a Licenced Aircraft Engineer having previously worked in Police Aviation with over 30 years’ experience in the helicopter maintenance world. I am responsible for overseeing the day to day maintenance and Continuing Airworthiness of our helicopters.

Luke joined Devon Air Ambulance in August 2024 from Babcock MCS Onshore. He learned to fly in the Fleet air Arm and was a Royal Navy Flight Instructor and Examiner. His civilian flying has covered Airlines as well onshore and offshore Helicopter operations. He has always specialised in training and examining and now brings that experience to Devon Air Ambulance.

The men at the ministry (CAA) deem Luke too old to operate on the front-line these days, which means he can dedicate his time to maintaining the high flying standards and practices at Devon Air Ambulance. He is an Instructor and Examiner on both the Helicopter Types operated by DAA. Pilots and Technical Crew (paramedics) require a vast array of training annually (Flight, Ground, First Aid, Dangerous Goods, Crew Resources Management, Emergency and Safety Equipment, Technical, Safeguarding and Compliance). Luke ensures all the regulatory training requirements are planned for and executed. He is ably assisted by the Training Planning and Rostering Officer, Julia Bradshaw.

Luke says: ‘It’s great to use the experience gained over the years and put it to such good use at DAA. I have a good balance of technical work mixed with aircraft and simulator flying and am enjoying my new life in Devon’.

He enjoys travel, sport and music – and is competing in the ‘World’s Toughest Row’ in the winter (24/25) as part of Team ‘Invictus Atlantic’.

I’m the Head of Flight Operations here at Devon Air Ambulance and as well as having the privilege of flying our aircraft for the people of Devon in their hour of need, I’m responsible for ensuring Devon Air Ambulance aircraft are safe, efficient and compliant with the UK CAA Regulations.

Having spent ten years of my army career based at the Royal Citadel in Plymouth, I took the opportunity offered by the army to fly helicopters. I applied and successfully completed my Army Pilots course in 1995. I spent 18 years flying for the army in a variety of helicopters and roles all around the world.

I left the British Army in 2012 and worked in Europe and Africa in support of the Offshore Oil and Gas Industry for 7 years, of which 4 were spent in Ivory Coast. I started working as a Touring HEMS pilot in 2019 for many different Air Ambulance Charities around the UK waiting for a chance to work in the county I grew up in here in Devon.
I joined Devon Air Ambulance in 2022 where I led a dedicated team of outstanding professionals to ensure our flight operations team are in perfect harmony with our clinical operations team to ensure the best possible service for the people of Devon.

I began my flight training at the age of 16, driven by a lifelong ambition to become a helicopter pilot. After a few years’ work I eventually qualified as a flight instructor, doing flight training in Yorkshire before moving to Mallorca where I spent two years flying before relocating to Inverness.

Over more than seven years in Inverness, I gained extensive experience across a wide range of operations, from VIP charter to underslung load lifting. I later moved to Penrith to fly with the Great North Air Ambulance, before moving to Midlands Air Ambulance and subsequently Wales Air Ambulance, where I served for a decade.

For the past two and a half years, I have been based with Devon Air Ambulance, where I currently operate as a line pilot and Type rating instructor on both EC135 & H145.

I moved to Devon from Hong Kong with my family at 7 years old and have considered it home ever since. Growing up with horses gave me plenty of opportunities to see Devon Air Ambulance at work when they would land at events to look after fallen riders.

After school I joined the Royal Navy and served as a Seaking helicopter pilot for 10 years. During this time I took part in training exercises in Norway and the USA followed by operational deployments in Afghanistan and the Persian Gulf. On leaving the Navy I flew helicopters for the police in London and then out of the Exeter base before joining DAA in 2022. Alongside my duties as a line pilot I also deliver some of the Crew Resource Management training to the operational crews and wider organisation.
I live in Exeter with my family and more animals than would be deemed sensible. In what limited spare time I have I enjoy mountain biking, skiing and loosing games of chess.

I joined Devon Air Ambulance in 2022 having lived in Devon with my family for the past nine years. Working for an Air Ambulance is something I’d always wanted to do, as it brings together a unique working environment with the chance to help people when they need it most.

That motivation became personal when my father-in-law was rescued following a serious farming accident. Seeing first-hand the speed, skill and care of the HEMS crew really brought home how important the service is, and confirmed my need to be part of it.
I’ve been flying for over 20 years, having started with gliding as a teenager. I was lucky enough to fly Helicopters in the Royal Navy before moving on to fly in a variety of demanding environments, including the North Sea and the National Police Air Service.

Outside work, I enjoy teaching people to fly gliders, as well as skiing, fishing and racquet sports.

Richard joined the British Army September 1988, serving in the Blues & Royals (Household Cavalry) until April 2000. During this time he served in Germany, Windsor, Knightsbridge and Bosnia, working up from mounted ceremonial duties, tank gunner, tank commander then finishing as a phase 2 instructor.
In April 2000 Richard began his flying career. After finishing the Army Pilots course he was posted to Wattisham (669 Sqn) flying Lynx Mk7/9, mostly in the anti tank roll.
From February 2006 he moved to Odiham (657 Sqn) flying Lynx Mk7. Most of this time was spent in Iraq or Afghanistan supporting UKSF in various rolls.
In October 2008 Richard moved to Hereford (8 Flt) flying the Dauphin N3 helicopter. This time was spent in UK supporting UKSF where he attained significant experience flying solo day/night, solo NVG and a lot of instrument flying.
On leaving the forces in late 2011 Richard joined Devon & Cornwall Police at Exeter. This was the best place to wait for a vacancy with Devon Air Ambulance, which occured in spring 2015.

I joined Devon Air Ambulance in 2016 after flying air ambulance missions in the North West with Bond Onshore. Before that, I spent 13 years in the Royal Navy as a Merlin pilot and instructor. I still love flying for the charity and working alongside our incredible clinicians and staff, all of us united in delivering the highest level of care to our patients.

In addition to my role as a Line Pilot, I train our operations teams in human factors to help maintain strong safety and efficiency standards. As a line training Captain I help to keep our pilots, paramedics and doctors current in aviation training. I’m also a bit of a tech geek, so I support the team by evaluating aviation software and keeping our various spreadsheets up to date.

When I’m not in a helicopter, you’ll usually find me wing foiling – a watersport where you fly above the water on a hydrofoil. Clearly, I’ll take any excuse to get airborne!

Graham started working for DAA in 2017 as one of our Retail Area Managers, responsible for supporting the teams working in the shops and helping to lead the development and day to day running of the Retail Department.

Since September 2022 Graham has been the Landing Site Manager and is responsible for the safe management and development of our Community Landing Sites and Hospital Landing Sites

Rob Johnstone joins Devon Air Ambulance as Air Safety Manager after a long career as aircrew in the Royal Air Force, the last 4 years of which were spent assuring the safety of all Defence Flying Training. Rob is married to Ellie and lives in Mid-Devon where he enjoys cooking, cycling and coaching rugby at Crediton RFC.