About Us
Introduction
Air Rescue UK has a wealth of experience in Military & Commercial All-Weather SAR, many of our Instructors and Staff have been responsible for such projects as Oil and Gas SAR in East Africa, Kazakhstan, Romania and also played a significant part in the set up of Shell Brunei SAR as well as being instrumental in the successful stand-up and continued operation of the UK MoD Falkland Islands SAR contract providing 24/7 SAR in some of the most inhospitable maritime environments world wide.
Building on that experience in professional SAR we have grown in the support of SAR operations in Oil & Gas, assisting 2 SAR operators without previous SAR experience to successfully deliver SAR for their customer. We are supporting operations on 3 continents; and in the delivery of tailored training solutions.
Air Rescue UK has become a leading authority on Rear-crew / Technical Crew Hoist Simulation Training through our very strong link with Bluedrop Training & Simulation
Our Services
Operational Support
Our breadth of experience allows us to fully support operations from inception with assurance. Additionally that breadth in our experience allows us to break the narrow focus of some and create cross boundary solutions.
Full Contract Provision
- Transition Support
- Stand Up Support
- Exploration Support
- Training
- Consulting
- OEM Liaison
- Helicopter Acceptance
- SOP Development
- Clinical Direction
- Quality Assurance
Training Services
Our training services span Rear Crew Training from initial psychometric testing & initial Aviation Knowledge ground school, through to advanced Technical Crew Member Training for all aspects of reactive helicopter operations and Hoisting
Within the group of companies we are fortunate to have a large cohort of CRM Trainers enabling us to offer initial and continuation CRM & HF across the aviation spectrum. Additionally we have the experience of our MD and our Consultant Advisor in Human Factors to be able to deliver HF & Non Technical Skills Training to all Safety Critical Industries. Allied to HF Training is our Critical Decision Making course that uses Non-Technical Skills to develop Command & Control decision making at tactical Bronze level through to Silver strategic level.
Safe synthetic pool training is part of our proven training course for winchmen while the use of static synthetic towers allows the training of Cabin Entry for Winch man and HHO and also the training of Medical Passengers as well as Wind Farm Technicians (HHOP)
Medical Training is also available from Emergency First Aid at Work and Defibrillation through to First Response Emergency & Urgent Care Level 5 alongside a suite of Health & Safety at work courses.
Rear Crew Simulation Training
Air Rescue Training & Simulation is closely allied with Bluedrop Training & Simulation to deliver best quality VR Hoist Operator Training based on the most advanced simulator available and the experience and knowledge of ARTS.
To find out more please visit Air Rescue Training & Simulation
We have been providing on-wing training since 2017 to various operators from Wind Farms to HEMS Rescue and SAR. In 2025 we will commence our first contract to provide Quality Assurance of Crew Training.
Additionally through Air Rescue Training & Simulation we are a Qualsafe Approved centre for the delivery of First Aid, FREC 3 and FREC 4
Our Team
Ian Bonthrone MSc
Managing Director,
Ian has an MSc in Human Factors in Aviation and has been involved in Learning & Development in the Aviation and Medical spheres for the past 30+ years.
During 22 years in the RAF, flying & instructing on SAR, and in management roles, he moved into industry focusing on new product and market development prior to assuming General Manager roles in the European Public Safety market. In 2014 he led the bid to provide SAR for the MoD in the Falkland Islands which, having won, resulted in establishing Air Rescue UK Ltd
His experience alongside his business acumen lends strength to Air Rescue UK Ltd’s future growth.
ian@airrescueuk.com
Trevor Abraham
Operations Director
With over 20 years of experience in global search and rescue (SAR), including 10 years in leadership roles. He has touched points across the entire business, spanning operations, training, commercial growth, and team well-being.
Trevor strives for the highest levels of performance, safety, and continuous improvement, fostering a culture of resilience and excellence. His leadership style prioritises strategic goals whilst supporting professional development and innovation. Working closely with all departments, Trevor aligns the company’s mission and values with its long-term vision, delivering high-quality service and sustainable growth.
trevor@airrescueuk.com
Richard Goodwill
Operations Manager
A former Royal Marine with over two decades in aviation, Richard brings a wealth of experience to Air Rescue UK and its training division. His operational knowledge encompasses rotary-wing rescue operations, flight safety, and personnel management across diverse environments.
Overseeing the operational delivery of frontline services and specialist training programs, Richard combines real-world expertise with a deep commitment to safety, excellence, and developing the next generation of aircrew. His leadership ensures that Air Rescue UK teams remain mission-ready, professional, and prepared to perform in the most challenging conditions.
richardg@airrescueuk.com
David Bazlinton
Head of Training
David spent over 22 years of his career as a police officer working for the UK National Police Air Service (NPAS). He also served in the UK Armed Forces as a Reservist in the Royal Artillery.
Before leaving NPAS, David was a senior training instructor responsible for assessment and IQA activity across this fast-paced national Law Enforcement Agency.
David joined Air Rescue UK Ltd to spearhead leadership and Training Quality Management at ARUK and our daughter company, Air Rescue Training & Simulation.
david@airrescue-ts.com
Roy Pickerill OBE MA BSc CEng
Business Development Manager
Roy’s highly successful RAF career has been the springboard for a multi-faceted 20 years in the Aerospace industry. He is a proven solution architect and program manager, underpinned by formulating winning ideas and motivating colleagues to deliver.
Consistent and logical, Roy offers speed of thought to generate pace, clarity of analysis and an innate sense of what works.
A Chartered Engineer, and an APM Fellow his portfolio contribution has been recognised by the award of the OBE.
roy@airrescueuk.com
Professor David Lockey
Clinical Director
Professor David Lockey MB BS MD(Res) FFICM FRCA FIMC RCS(Ed) FFSEM FFRRHH ACIArb is our Clinical Director. Pre-eminent in Pre-Hospital Care, Emergency Medicine & Anaesthesia, Prof Lockey has served with the Royal Army Medical Corps (RAMC) in many conflict areas, additionally he was of the founding team for the Consultant led London Air Ambulance.
He is now the National Director for the Welsh Emergency Retrieval and Transfer Service (HEMS) and is still a practicing intensivist within the UK National Health Service. David holds a Gibson teaching chair and is the Immediate Past Chairman, Faculty of Pre-hospital Care, Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh.
Our Locations
United Kingdom
Falkland Islands
Romania
Italy
Namibia
Senegal
Nova Scotia
Cyprus
Thinking about joining our team?
We are always interested to view CV’s from genuinely qualified SAR Technical Crew, experienced Helicopter Hoist Operators and also from experienced Military Helicopter Crewmen looking for an aviation career post Military Service. Any CV’s submitted should be accompanied by a cover letter explaining what future roles in aviation interest you. Please ensure your name is included in the file title of both.
Specific Open opportunities will be listed here, on our socials and our Blog
View Job Openings