Your second helicopter: Features and fit-out

Thanks to your incredible support, our mission to bring a second helicopter home is well on the way. We have now reached the next phase — the medical fit-out. Join us as we take a closer look at the new AW169 helicopter and how it will be transformed into a mobile intensive care unit.

Following successful test flights, the new AW169 helicopter has now arrived at Gloucestershire Airport, where the specialist medical fit-out will begin. Earlier this year, our CEO, Charles Hackett, visited the manufacturing site to see the aircraft first‑hand as it reached this important milestone.

Watch the helicopter’s journey so far:

The new helicopter will carry the registration G-DSCC, reflecting its role as a critical care aircraft. Our existing helicopter, Peggy, is registered as G-DSAA. The work is expected to take several months and, if all goes to plan, the helicopter will be operational in Summer 2026.

The medical fit-out

inside second helicopter AW169

From helicopter to flying intensive care unit

When responding to life-threatening emergencies, our crew must be ready for anything.

Over the coming months, our new helicopter will be transformed into a fully operational flying intensive care unit, fitted with a medical interior and portable equipment to match Peggy, our current AW169 helicopter.

Learn why we need a second helicopter

What's onboard

The AW169 helicopter contains vital equipment such as our red and blue kit bags, blood products, a Zoll X-series Advanced Patient monitor, a LUCAS chest compression machine, ultrasound and thermal management devices and specialist equipment for babies and children, to name a few.

Read more about the kit we carry

Technical and operational enhancements

The new helicopter has additional performance to Peggy. This enhanced performance package includes features that allows the helicopter to maintain its lifting capability in hot summer conditions when high temperatures and/or low air pressure would normally reduce performance.

DSAAs second helicopter test flight

Key enhancements:

  • Uses the same engines and gearbox as Peggy, but increased engine power has been obtained through changes to the engine control software.

  • The tail configuration has also been changed to ensure helicopter control is maintained when the extra power is being used.

  • Can safely operate at maximum all up mass into the low 30°C range, allowing additional fuel, crew, equipment, or patients to be carried, improving range, reliability, and operational resilience in the summer months.

Your £1 Million Mission

The 2ndHeli Appeal is about more than just a helicopter. It’s about reaching more patients, saving more lives, and being available for our community.

Every donation brings us closer to making G-DSCC, our second life-saving helicopter, fully operational. 

Thank you for being part of this journey.

 Donate

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