Why visit ACE ’25?
Helicopter pilot Rob Backus has rejoined Wiltshire Air Ambulance (WAA). He flew the MD902 Explorer for three years when the UK charity was sharing the helicopter with Wiltshire Police, before joining Bristow Helicopters in 2014.
WAA is now a standalone air ambulance operation and will shortly be moving to a new airbase at Semington, near Melksham.
Backus says: "I leapt at the opportunity to rejoin WAA in our brand new purpose-built airbase, flying the latest generation helicopter and working alongside first class paramedics saving lives day and night."
He is impressed by what he has seen of the charity's recently delivered Bell 429: "It is more hi tech and modern, particularly due to the electronic screens. It's also a fast helicopter, is smooth and has sufficient space in the back for the patient and paramedics. The aircraft is very clearly laid out and I appreciate the cockpit display."