15 Aug 2025
World Helicopter Day aims to raise awareness of the contributions that helicopters make to our society and celebrate the diverse range of people that design, fly and support them. To mark it here at London’s Air Ambulance Charity, we spoke to our brand-new pilot, Adele Dobler, who talks about how our aircraft becomes a mobile emergency room.
Tell us about your journey to becoming a pilot
I never imagined myself becoming a pilot because, frankly, I’d never seen anyone like me in the role. That changed in my early 20s, when I was working a summer job selling fruit and a woman casually told me she flew helicopters. Something in me clicked. From that moment, I couldn’t stop thinking about flying.
I scraped together the money for my first medical and worked three jobs to pay for as much of the training as I could.
Now, 16 years later, after training, working hard and pushing through every moment I doubted myself, I’ve flown HEMS in Canada, provided medical cover for the British Army in Kenya and today I fly for London’s Air Ambulance Charity. It hasn’t been easy, but it’s been unforgettable and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
What’s your favourite feature of the H135 model that we use here?
Besides the obvious performance and manoeuvrability, what I love most is how comfortable it feels for tight urban spaces. It’s nimble, reliable and somehow always makes you feel like you're one step ahead of the situation. Whether you’re landing in parks, industrial sites or rooftop helipads on a critical mission, that kind of confidence in your machine is everything.
What are some of the challenges you face flying in London’s complex airspace?
London’s airspace is a chessboard in motion. It’s full of commercial traffic, General Aviation, military zones and now even drones. Add to that the constant need to avoid noise-sensitive areas and find safe landing spots in highly populated communities, you end up with a high-stakes environment. But the biggest challenge? Making complex decisions fast, often under pressure, while managing a team and prioritising patient care.
How does flying in London compare to flying in other regions/countries?
It’s a completely different kind of intensity. In Kenya, I was landing in remote airstrips with herds of zebras wandering past the helicopter and navigating busy Nairobi International Airspace. In Canada, it was blizzards, mountain flying and night vision goggle operations through the Rockies. London demands precision and coordination, it’s technical, more urban and a lot more collaborative with air traffic control. But at the end of the day, the mission is the same... get to the patient efficiently.
What do you wish more people knew about the role of helicopters in emergency medicine?
We’re not just flying people around for fun, we’re delivering critical care that can’t wait. The aircraft becomes a mobile emergency room that we deliver to the street and the time saved isn’t just about speed. It’s about giving the patient a fighting chance.
I wish more people understood that behind every landing in a park or football field is a coordinated effort to save a life.
It's a team sport and the helicopter is just one essential part of it.
What advice would you give to someone dreaming of becoming an air ambulance pilot one day?
If it’s something you’re thinking about but are scared to take that first step, do it scared. Don’t wait for the day you have the confidence. You must build the necessary confidence by doing hard things. I had insecurities at every career milestone, from my first solo to my first day as a commander. But each time I pushed through the fear, I became braver and had a chance to show up for myself. Don’t worry if you don’t fit the mould, don’t wait until you feel “ready.” Start where you are. Mop hangar floors, fuel aircraft, do the necessary groundwork. Every step along the way counts toward your next goal. Most importantly, don’t let someone else’s fear become your own limit.
Is there anything else you’d like to add about World Helicopter Day?
World Helicopter Day is a fantastic reminder of just how diverse, daring and dynamic this industry is. It celebrates not just pilots, but the engineers, medics, dispatchers, air traffic control and everyone who keeps these operations running. For me, it’s also about visibility. I didn’t think I could be a pilot because I’d never seen someone that looked like me doing it. So, if there is someone out there thinking about a career in aviation, don’t be afraid to get out there and take that first step.