On 24th May 2024, a small select group visited the Herts and Essex Air Ambulance Base at North Weald Aerodrome, to view and learn more about this operational service. We were treated to a very warm welcome by two volunteer members of staff, and given a very interesting (and enthusiastic) talk by one of the pilots who is based there. He had flown with Prince William, and he was both entertaining and enthusiastic. We also met one of the doctors who are part of every mission flown by the air-ambulance.

The crew consist of two pilots, a pre-hospital care Doctor and a critical care Paramedic. The average cost per mission flown is £2,200. They fly 365/366 days a year and on average are despatched 6 times a day. Funding is purely, like the RNLI, by charity, not by the government and about 1,000 patients are treated per year. The Herts and Essex Air Ambulance have two helicopters and are based at Earls Colne and North Weald. It costs in excess of £750,000 per month to keep both flying, with the average cost of fuel per flying hour running at £145, and with a maximum speed of 170mph it can be very thirsty. NB: The motability scooter is not used on any of the "missions".