Our Impact News Happy World Pilots' Day Happy World Pilots’ Day from everyone here at DSAA! World Pilots' Day is celebrated annually on April 26th and recognises the contributes and achievements of pilots across the world. Our pilots are an essential part of the service we provide, operating our helicopter, Peggy, 19 hours a day, 365 days of the year. Without our pilots we would not be able to fly, and we would not be able to save lives. About DSAA's Pilots Our pilots are provided by Gama Aviation, who operate our aircraft. They are carefully selected because air ambulance flights are more challenging than regular non-emergency flight services. They have a great deal of experience in low-level operations and instrument flying. Since 2021 DSAA has operated with both a pilot and a co-pilot. Catch up with Kev... We caught up with Captain Kevin Rutherford, to find out about how he became a pilot. How did you become a pilot? I joined the Royal Navy after University and have been flying helicopters in a variety of roles ever since. Can you tell us something we might not know about you? Before becoming a pilot, I wanted to be a doctor. I have a degree in immunology and worked in medical research for a while before I saw the light and joined the Navy as a pilot. Want to know more? Click the link below for our full interview with Kev! Spotlight on Kev Rutherford On World Pilots' Day we would like to thank all the pilots whose skills and dedication ensure the safety of patients and passengers worldwide. Manage Cookie Preferences