Equipped with weather radar and night vision, the H145 will ensure that we can navigate harsh weather more efficiently and operate more safely in darkness.

The larger helicopter will enable us to carry an extra clinician and specialist equipment, which is important for major incidents.

Improved Patient Care

With five blades as opposed to four and more space, the new aircraft will offer smoother, quieter flights with less vibrations which will help to keep patients more comfortable on their way to hospital.

An additional 60 minutes of flight time with the H145 will allow us to reach more remote areas and fly more missions without refuelling, meaning we can travel further and reach patients in time.

SCAA has designed a medical fit out specific to our operating model. This will bring significant clinical improvements whilst offering flexibility to respond to all patients and scenarios.

Night vision equipment

Operating state-of-the-art night vision equipment (NVIS) at both of our bases enables our crew to respond to emergencies and reach more patients throughout Scotland during hours of darkness.

Operation Skyward

Will you help to fly SCAA into the future?

Donate today

'Operation Skyward' is the most significant investment into SCAA's operations in its 12-year history. We need to raise an additional £2 million in 2025 to get our new H145 D3 helicopter in the air and ready to respond to those in need throughout Scotland.

This state-of-the art helicopter will replace the EC135 at our Aberdeen base, offering enhanced range, endurance, and capacity to serve Scotland's most remote and challenging locations. With cutting-edge features like weather radar, Night Vision Imaging System (NVIS), and the ability to carry additional crew members and equipment, SCAA's H145 D3 will be the most capable helicopter air ambulance of its type, operating in the most challenging environment when it flies its first mission later this year.

In addition to the new air ambulance and as part of Operation Skyward, we also upgraded our EC135 air ambulance at our Perth base with NVIS in December 2024 to enable SCAA to respond to more patients during hours of darkness.

But this leap forward in life-saving capability comes at a cost. SCAA must raise an additional £2 million in 2025 to fund these operational enhancements. As a 100% publicly funded charity, we rely on your support to ensure that no one in Scotland dies because help cannot get there in time.

Join us in this vital mission. Donate today to Operation Skyward and help fly SCAA into the future.

To learn more about our exciting operational upgrades, watch this short video:

SCAA unveil major service upgrades

Operation Skyward benefits

Equipped with weather radar and night vision, the H145 will ensure that we can navigate harsh weather more efficiently and operate more safely in darkness.
The larger helicopter will enable us to carry an extra clinician and specialist equipment, which is important for major incidents.
With five blades as opposed to four and more space, the new aircraft will offer smoother, quieter flights with less vibrations which will help to keep patients more comfortable on their way to hospital.
An additional 60 minutes of flight time with the H145 will allow us to reach more remote areas and fly more missions without refuelling, meaning we can travel further and reach patients in time.
SCAA has designed a medical fit out specific to our operating model. This will bring significant clinical improvements whilst offering flexibility to respond to all patients and scenarios.
Operating state-of-the-art night vision equipment (NVIS) at both of our bases enables our crew to respond to emergencies and reach more patients throughout Scotland during hours of darkness.

Please support Operation Skyward today

Monthly

One-off

£5
£10
£20
£

£5 Will you give £5 a month to support our life-saving service?

£10 By becoming a regular giver, you will help our crews get there in time to save and improve lives in Scotland.

£20 A monthly donation of £20 will have a dramatic effect on improving and preserving our air ambulance service.

£30
£50
£100
£

£30 Can you help fuel more life-saving missions this year?

£50 As Scotland's only charity air ambulance, we rely on public donations to run our life-saving service.

£100 Will you donate today and join us on our most ambitious mission yet?

By helping our new aircraft take flight, we will be able to reach more people like those below

Iain's Story

RAF Officer Iain Bright had just five seconds to react when his aircraft engine failed shortly after takeoff and he began plummeting toward the ground.

Harris's Story

Teen suffered a high-speed motocross fall from height which resulted in a snapped thigh bone.

Mark's Story

Mark was enjoying a motorcycle ride through Scotland when things took a drastic turn leaving him with multiple injuries.

Steve's Story

What Steve thought was a simple ear infection turned out to be Bacterial Meningitis, causing him to deteriorate rapidly.

Baby James's Story

Dog attack on a four-month-old baby leads to extensive injuries to head and neck, punctured windpipe and damage to artery.