In 1966, with loads of enthusiasm and a Cessna 205 single engine "six seater" aircraft, the first and only voluntarily manned air service - the SA Red Cross Air Ambulance Service - was introduced to the country.

Its primary focus was to provide transportation of critically ill and injured persons from remote areas where no adequate medical facilities existed.

It soon became apparent that a two engine aircraft would be required to cover the long distances to provide a more comprehensive service.

In 1971, with the assistance of Rotary District 935, which covered roughly the same area as the Cape Region of the SA Red Cross Society, funds were raised for a faster Piper Aztec "Spirit of Rotary I".

Able to accommodate four stretcher patients and medical attendants, the Piper Chieftain "Spirit of Rotary II" officially took off from DF Malan Airport on Saturday, November 27, 1982.

The demand at the time increased threefold with the Service being called upon to transport a larger percentage of "high risk" patients requiring sophisticated life support and monitoring equipment. To cater for this need, the Service was once again updated in 1988 with a pressurised Cessna Citation II Jet aircraft which was converted into an Air Ambulance with the latest medical technology.

In 1994, a trust was formed and the organisation adopted its present, all encompassing name - the SA Red Cross Air Mercy Service Trust.

The SA Red Cross Air Mercy Service has evolved over the past few years into a multi-purpose organisation with high tech capabilities to serve rural and metropolitan areas. Through the realisation of a national air ambulance network, safe and rapid aero-medical transport can be provided on a 24 hour basis throughout the country, whilst our partnerships with the provincial health authorities via the Flying Doctor and Health Outreach Service brings healthcare to people in the Northern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal.

Flying High for More than Four Decades
Since 1966, the SA Red Cross Air Mercy Service has grown into a remarkable and unique aero-medical service.

Working closely with the provincial departments of health to assist with delivery of healthcare services, the AMS has flown 6,521,334 kilometres and transferred 12,849 patients via its fixed and rotor wing air ambulance service.

Its flying doctor and rural health outreach services has made healthcare available on a regular basis to 212,877 patients living in rural areas, since 1996 and 1998 respectively.

1966

• The Air Ambulance Service of the Cape Region of the South African Red Cross Society was established.

1967

• Cessna 205 aircraft replaced with a single engine Cessna 206 Super Skywagon.

1971

• Piper Aztec ‘Spirit of Rotary I' introduced.

1981

• World First for South Africa - a flying heart is transferred from PE to Cape Town for transplant.

1982

• A turbo-prop twin-engine ten seater Piper Chieftain, the ‘Spirit of Rotary II' takes to the sky.

1988

• Maiden flight of Cessna Citation II Jet Aircraft, 'Spirit of the Cape '.

1995

• A second Citation Jet Air Ambulance service is based in Johannesburg .

1996

• The Flying Doctor and Health Outreach Service was launched in the Northern Cape .

1996

• Maiden flight of the first Pilatus PC-12 aircraft.

1998

• The Flying Doctor and Health Outreach Service was launched in KwaZulu-Natal.
• Nelspruit & Johannesburg FW AAS are withdrawn, due to increase of private sector services.

2000

• A Helicopter Air Ambulance Service was launched in the Western Cape at Cape Town International.

2002

• A Helicopter Rescue Service was started in the Western Cape at Cape Town International.

2004

• Mpumalanga Helicopter Service started in Nelspruit.

2005

• Emergency Helicopter Service established in Southern Cape .
• Dedicated Emergency Medical Service established at Durban International (fixed and rotor wing).
• Dedicated Emergency Medical Service launched at Kimberley Airport
• Emergency Helicopter Service established at Richards Bay Airport
• The AMS received the Cape Town Volunteer Centre/Mayoral team Award.
• The AMS was a finalist in the 2005 Sowetan/Old Mutual/SABC Community Builder of the Year Awards in the acknowledgement of the AMS' role in community development.

2006

• The AMS partnered with the South African Airways Cadet Pilot Programme to develop previously disadvantaged pilots, programme called the Pilot Development Programme (PDP).
• Establishment of the AMS in-house maintenance department.
• The Flying Doctor Service has expanded to include a ground support unit, based at Pietermaritzburg.
• An independent Health Economic study was done to investigate the cost of air ambulance in relation to road ambulance.

2007

• The AMS in partnership with the Mpumalanga Provincial Department of Health established an aero-medical service, operating from the Old Nelspruit Airport, in August 2007.
• AMS took delivery of the Eurocopter EC 130 B4.

2008

• The Eurocopter EC 130 B4 single engine helicopter became operational.
• AMS developed and manufactured its own MedKit for the Eurocopter EC 130 B4 helicopter in conjunction with a local supplier.
• The AMS in partnership with the Free State Provincial Department of Health established an emergency aero-medical service in the Free State.
• Establishment of the AMS National Operations Centre (NOC).
• Celebration of 10 years of service to the community of KZN.

2009

• The AMS in partnership with the Limpopo Department of Health and Social Development established an emergency aero-medical service in Limpopo.
• Launch of rescue service in the Eden District Central Karoo in partnership with the Western Cape Department of Health Metro Emergency Medical Service.
• AMS awarded the National EMS contract by National Treasury for eight participating provinces.
• The establishment of the AMS Training Department.
• The introduction of the AgustaWestland 119Ke single engine rotor wing.
• AMS developed and manufactured its own MedKit for the AgustaWestland 119Ke helicopter in conjunction with a local supplier.
• The introduction of the AgustaWestland 109 Grand twin engine rotor wing.