On the 9th June, R W Bro Robin Wilson accompanied by R W Bro Gordon Smith, who retired as PGM of Lincolnshire on 1 June, visited RAF Waddington, the home base of the Air Ambulance, to present cheques for £8,000 donated by the Grand Charity, which are part of this year's donations to every Air Ambulance in the country, totalling £180,000.

The cheques are distributed to the PGMs of each Province in the country for presentation at the home bases of the Air Ambulances, and follow similar grants paid in 2007.

The photo shows the chief pilot and one of the paramedics receiving the cheques, after which they gave the visiting party a full demonstration of the equipment they carry, both technical and medical. They asked that we pass on to the Grand Charity and to all our members their grateful thanks for the continued financial support the Provinces and Masonry generally give to them, and which prove so essential in their efforts to save lives throughout our counties.

Luckily, although they had already been out on a "shout" before we arrived, they were back in time to receive us and show us around their control room and the helicopter, before being called out again!

Footnote from Peter Olko.

As a user of this facility on July 4th 2004 I append more about the service and its response to approximately 1200 shouts a year.

The helicopter.

Late November 2000, Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire and bordering areas saw the introduction of a MD 902 Explorer to replace the older Bolkow, which had been in operation since 1994.

The MD 902 Explorer is a “ new generation” twin engined helicopter ideally suited to the Air Ambulance role and being unaffected by road congestion, country roads, heavy vehicles or road works the Helicopter can reach any destination in Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire in 19 minutes.

Whilst the powerful twin engines make for better performance, noise levels are lower than the Bolkow and the MD Explorer is regarded as the quietest twin-engined helicopter currently operating. (Well – I certainly didn’t hear its engines !!). Of special note is the unique NOTAR Anti-Torque system. There is no conventional tail rotor but air is blown through a long slot along the tail boom to stabilise the aircraft. With the NOTAR system a sliding circular cover near the end of the tail boom is opened and closed to adjust thrust.

The MD Explorer has many advantages over other helicopters in terms of patient care. With a maximum speed of 154 mph, a maximum range of 296 miles and endurance of nearly three hours, the aircraft is able to operate much more effectively across the two counties.

The cabin space in the aircraft is completely separate from the cockpit and is the largest in its class, providing better access to the patient in flight and more space for essential medical equipment. The large cabin area allows extra aircrew to be carried when required and two extra seats are available for medical staff or relatives.

The Explorer has many important safety features including enhanced visibility, high set engines which greatly reduce any danger from exhaust and a main rotor that is set 9ft above the ground, well above head height.

Typical working day and response.

The normal working day starts with the morning aircraft and equipment check. The aircraft is equipped to the same high standard as other Road Ambulances and all gasses and electrical equipment must be checked for serviceability.

The helicopter is tasked through the Operations Room at Lincolnshire or East Midlands Ambulance Service Headquarters who decide whether the helicopter is needed. When the alert call comes through the pilot goes directly to the aircraft to start the engines, while the details of the call are being taken by the aircrew. By the time the medics reach the aircraft and strap themselves in, the aircraft is ready for take off. The response time from call to aircraft being airborne is just over two minutes.

When airborne the air crew assist the pilot with navigation and look out for any hazards. The pilot selects the best landing point at an incident.

While the medics are dealing with the incident the pilot will bring any other equipment they may require and also prepare the aircraft for accepting a patient if the casualty is to be airlifted. Ambulance Control are informed in advance of the patient's condition and the destination hospital so that they may warn the receiving hospital to prepare their helicopter landing site.

Usually, the patient has been stabilised before being placed on the aircraft but when on board Medic 1 has the patient's head at his knees which allows him to keep a careful watch on the patients airway. They also have all the monitoring equipment (cardiac monitor and pulse oximeter) directly in front of them. Medic 2, who is by the patient's side, has full access to the patient. Both medics are able to communicate via the aircraft intercom system. Patient in flight emergencies are rare due to the short flight times, but if necessary, a full resuscitation may and has been carried out.

The flight time of a patient from an incident to the nearest hospital with suitable facilities takes, on average, six minutes.

So next time you see it, wonder at this marvel of engineering, the skill of the aircrew and medics and the backroom staff which make this all possible via public donations.