Cardiff’s University Hospital of Wales is concerned that bigger Wales Air Ambulance helicopters might require modification of the hospital’s helipad, according to local news reports.
Earlier this year, Wales Air Ambulance added an Airbus Helicopters EC135 T2e to its Cardiff location, making it the fourth helicopter at that location. Come next spring, the operator will reportedly be replacing its older aircraft with new Airbus H145s. The first of four was delivered last month. This year, thanks to a 2015 EASA certification, the H145’s maximum takeoff weight was raised to a total of 3.7 metric tons. Wales Air Ambulance reportedly does not think any helipad modifications will be necessary, but it is set to conduct checks for precaution.
The H145 features wide sliding doors on the sides and large rear clamshell doors. The cabin can accommodate up to two wheeled stretchers and up to three medical personnel with partial or full suites of medical equipment.