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3 July 2015
A brand new air ambulance helicopter broke down while during a whistle stop tour of the Highlands and Islands aimed at showing off its credentials.
Billed as the most advanced publicly funded air ambulance helicopter, the Airbus
H145 -
The tour to Barra, Stornoway and Skye was cancelled.
The chopper operated by Bond on behalf of the Scottish Air Ambulance service is one of two due to replace the current EC135 helicopters which have been in service since 2006.
The Scottish Government is paying an additional £1.9 million this year, on top of £200,000 for the next two years, to allow the Scottish Ambulance Service to charter the larger helicopters.
They are larger, and faster, with a greater range, which reduces the need to refuel on longer missions as well as being the first air ambulance in Scotland to operate with night vision equipment.
Bond flew engineers to Glenforsa air strip on Mull to repair the problem.
It is understood the helicopter is to be flown back to Glasgow where Bond will undertake further repairs.
A spokesman for the Scottish Ambulance Service, which contracts the aircraft, said: “The helicopter suffered technical difficulties. The visits will be rescheduled.”
Bond Air Services operate the helicopters on Gama Aviation behalf for the Scottish Air Ambulance.
The H145 helicopters will be based in Glasgow and Inverness
They have more room for medic teams to deliver complex treatment, as well as specifically designed medical fittings and equipment.
