CORNWALL COUNTY CAR CLUB VISIT TO THE SEARCH AND RESCUE HELICOPTER BASE ST MAWGAN WEDNESDAY 19TH November 2025.

Twenty members gathered at the Cookhouse Restaurant at Fraddon for lunch prior to a visit to the SAR helicopter base at St Mawgan. The visit last year was over subscribed and so this year the twenty members who were not fortunate to attend then were given the opportunity to tour the base and get up close to the Helicopter.

Following lunch we proceeded in convoy, led by Jerry, to the base. Once there we were greeted by the Stations chief pilot and Station Commander Mark Copland. Mark took members to the information room where he gave a thirty-minute presentation on the performance and capabilities of the Sikorsky S-92A rescue helicopter. He explained that the SAR service was operate by Bristow helicopters Ltd, who took over the service in Cornwall bringing Military involvement from RNAS Culdrose to an end on the first of January 2016

There are normally 2 Helicopters operating from St Mawgan, but one had been called away for operational duties elsewhere. Following an excellent and in-depth presentation, members then proceeded to the operation room where Mark explained how, following a distress call, the crew assembled to receive information of the task ahead.

The group was then split in two with Mark taking his group on a tour of the Station, whilst the second group were escorted to the aircraft by the on-duty Paramedic and winchman, Carlton Real.

He was assisted by one of the base’s pilots affectionately known as Yogi. Member were allowed to board the helicopter, inspect the equipment and technology present and some were allowed to sit in the pilot’s seats. The staff could not have been more friendly and helpful and nothing was too much trouble.

When operational there are four crew on board. If required the helicopter has a capacity of 21 persons with an operational endurance of 4 hours. The aircraft has full icing protection with heated screen and heated rotor blades. 

Within, what seemed like, a blink of the eye, two hours had passed. Members were totally mesmerised by what they had seen and heard during the visit, and on returning to the operations room, Jerry thanked Mark and his team for an amazing insight into the bravery and dedication of the SAR unit at St Mawgan in saving those in distress.

Report by Reg Bennett.