Saving Time, Saving Lives

Our helicopters

Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance (SCAA) operates two helicopters, which both have an operational area of around 30,000 square miles, serving a population of over 5 million.

SCAA’s uses twin-engine Eurocopter EC135s based at Perth Airport and Aberdeen Airport. From these bases, our crew can reach patients across the country before rapidly transporting them to the most appropriate hospital, even if it isn't the closest option. 

Our experienced pilots are granted the right, by the Civil Aviation Authority, to land anywhere they deem safe whilst on a HEMS call. A safe landing requires a clear space of around 25m in daylight, which is roughly equivalent to a tennis court. 

Our helicopters carry all the equipment you would find in a land ambulance plus some of the more advanced equipment you’d expect to find in a hospital.

Our helicopters carry all the equipment you would find in a land ambulance plus some of the more advanced equipment you’d expect to find in a hospital. 

On board, you’ll find:
  • Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Bag for emergencies in dangerous or remote areas, including hard hat, high visibility clothing, over trousers and midge nets
  • Teddy bear deployed to our younger patients
  • Two oxygen cylinders
  • Thrombolysis Pack to help reduce blood clots
  • Bothy Bag, which contains a tent for emergencies in exposed areas/weather conditions or to offer privacy for during invasive procedures
  • Blood sugar monitor
  • Suction Unit to clear a patients’ airways
  • Corpuls 3 Defibrillator / Patient Monitor to enable intensive monitoring of arterial pressure, core temperature and blood pressure
  • Aerosled stretcher
  • Medical Response Bag
  • Trauma Bag
  • Maternity Pack for the safe delivery of babies at scene
  • Nitrous oxide cylinder, often referred to as gas and air
  • Core equipment including fluids, airway management tools, chest decompressions  tools, IV access, gloves and blankets
  • Navigation iPads
  • Survival Kit including food rations and winter clothing

Here are a few technical details about our distinctive EC135-T2i helicopters.

  • Height – 3.51m
  • Rotor Diameter – 10.2m
  • Weight – 2153kg
  • Top Speed – 145 knots / 166 mph
  • Cruise Speed – 120 knots / 138 mph
  • Max Take-Off Weight – 2910kg
  • Length – 12.16m
  • Range – 396 miles
We need to raise £5.2m each year to keep our life-saving service operating. Please support us if you can.

Read more about some of our life-saving helicopter missions.

Our helicopter Image
Our helicopter Image
Our helicopter Image