Storm Franklin: Video shows inside Hawarden based police helicopter as it’s buffeted by high winds

The National Police Air Service (NPAS) has posted a video of their helicopter being battered by high winds as it approaches the Hawarden Airport base on Sunday night.

The video shows their Airbus helicopter which was returning from a task in Wirral, being buffeted from the strong wind gusts brought on by Storm Franklin.

At one point there is a sharp increase in helicopter rotor noise as the pilot guides the aircraft back to base, known as ‘blade slap’ it’s the chopper’s blades battling with the wind.

NPAS North West Region tweeted: “The Hawarden shift have just returned from a task on the Wirral.”

“This was the approach back to our base at Hawarden – StormFranklin …….roll on Spring!”

Responding to a tweet, NPAS North West said: “We clocked 178kts on the way back home – at least we got back for a cuppa.”

The Hawarden shift have just returned from a task on the Wirral. This was the approach back to our base at Hawarden 🚁💨 #StormFranklin …….roll on Spring! 🤩 ^CRS pic.twitter.com/22GqggWSzg

— NPAS North West Region (@NPASNorthWest) February 20, 2022

The National Police Air Service (NPAS) delivers a fully borderless air service to all police forces across Wales and England 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year, and a national response to major and critical incidents.

Flying at average speeds of 138mph, police air support saves officers on the ground valuable time when it matters.

Storm Franklin has been named as the low-pressure system is expected to bring high winds during Sunday night and into Monday morning for much of the UK.

So far the highest wind gust recorded in Flintshire was 57 mph at 6am on Monday, higher than wind speeds recorded locally on Friday during the amber alert when Strom Eunice made its presence felt.

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