Western Daily Press (Saturday)
Paramedic completes world-first jet-suit trial
ABRITISH paramedic has completed the world’s first trial mission in a rocket propelled jet suit – flying a distance of more than a mile.
Jamie Walsh had only six days of training before he strapped himself into the 3D-printed device and soared above the Helvellyn mountain range in the Lake District.
The trial took place in weather where helicopters would have been grounded, with the suit’s manufacturers, Wiltshire-based Gravity Industries, believing it can cut response times.
The company, based near Salisbury, first tested its technology with paramedics in mind in September 2020, in partnership with medics from charity Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS).
On that occasion Richard Browning, the founder and chief test pilot at Gravity, flew.
Now for the first time a fully qualified paramedic has shown the possibilities of the technology for people who aren’t experienced pilots.
But the new suit, which underwent trials on Thursday, features more powerful turbine engines and also has increased manoeuvrability.
This allowed Jamie to cover a distance of 1.8km.
Mr Browning said: “This is an exciting milestone in the rapid progression of applying this unique flight technology in the arena of paramedic response.
“We are delighted that today’s trial has demonstrated not only the speed with which we can train capable candidates but also the groundbreaking
speed of the response in a first mission in Helvellyn.”
Andy Mawson, director of operations at GNAAS, said: “Patient care is at the forefront of everything we do at GNAAS and the success of this next stage of the jet suit trial is a great step towards helping us reach more patients.
“Jamie’s flight is a crucial milestone on this journey.
“However, there is still lots to be done.
“We will now be looking at completing the training, as well as development of the medical equipment and ongoing development of communications and navigations.”