CI Air Search

Today is National Emergency Services Day. 🚨 At Channel Islands Air Search, we’re proud to stand alongside our fellow emergency services who work so hard to keep our islands safe 24/7, 365 days a year. If you can, please donate here: ci-airsearch.com

Run the Runway is back! Join us on the evening of Thursday 18 September for a rare chance to walk or run 3.4km along Jersey Airport’s operational runway in support of Jersey Friends of Channel Islands Air Search (CIAS). You can sign up or donate here: tinyurl.com/3reppu8w

Our Annual Quiz Night is back! Join us at the Guernsey Aero Club on Saturday 4th October for a fantastic evening of fun, food and fundraising at this year’s Channel Islands Air Search Quiz Night. For bookings please email: friends@airsearch1.com

Search and rescue missions around the Channel Islands are never a solo effort. We often work hand-in-hand with the RNLI to cover every angle of a rescue. From the air, we can locate vessels or individuals in trouble, guiding lifeboats to the scene and keeping watch from the sky.

Guernsey Friends of Channel Islands Air Search will be at the Guernsey West Show this week on Wednesday 13th and Thursday 14th. We’ll be selling a range of CIAS-branded merchandise, with all funds raised going towards keeping us in the skies, so make sure you come and say hello!

Meet Leo Seeker – the little Search & Rescue plane from Guernsey! The children’s books follow Leo and his friends from the Channel Islands on their rescue adventures. You can find the books online via Blue Ormer, local bookshops or directly from our CIAS stands at events.

Our crew wear specially designed safety suits that keep them protected and ready for all weather conditions, fitted with gloves and headwear to retain body heat. These suits aren’t just for warmth, but to ensure visibility, buoyancy, and survival, and cost around £1600 each.

Our new LinkedIn page is now live, enabling us to connect with businesses like yours. We’re eager to connect with businesses who care about the community, so if your organisation is looking for a local charity to support, we’d love to hear from you.

Our missions can stretch up to 3.5 hours of intense searching. But no matter how far we go, we must always land with at least 45 minutes of fuel left on board, where we will switch crews if we need to carry on searching.

In actual search operations, we are able to fly as low as 100 feet above the sea, enabling us to mark targets accurately with smoke floats. The standard rules of the air do not permit pilots to fly below 500 feet unless they are taking off or landing.

We have proudly served the community for over 40 years, providing a rapid-response airborne search and rescue service. Founded in 1980 as a voluntary service, we operate in all weathers, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. You can learn more and donate here: ci-airsearch.com

Looking for a unique and meaningful corporate experience? ✈️ We host hangar evenings for companies and groups to come and explore the aircraft, meet the crew and learn how we operate. To learn more, please email friends@airsearch1.com

Are you interested in supporting CIAS but unsure if you can commit to being a crew member? Become a Friend of CIAS to help with our fundraising, enabling us to assist those in distress across the Channel Islands and beyond. To learn more, contact: friends@airsearch1.com

We are delighted to be chosen as one of the beneficiaries of the @CI_Coop Society's collection box scheme during the second half of the year. Our collection boxes will be located at various Co-op stores across the Channel Islands and you can also use our share number, 83322.

The majority of our searches are classed as a 'stepladder search', which is an aerial search pattern used to systematically cover a large area. A person in the water needs a ¼ mile track spacing, whereas a boat can be 1 mile spacing. A missing diver will involve a sector search.

Ever wondered what happens when CIAS receives a call-out? When we receive the alert, the crew rush to the hangar where they prep the aircraft and suit up. The Coastguard will provide any additional information, and after final checks, ATC will give us priority to get airborne.

At CIAS, every mission is made possible by two things. The time given by our crew of volunteers and the generosity of the public. We’re not state-funded and rely solely on community support and your donations. Please donate to help keep us flying: ci-airsearch.com

Our training isn’t just routine, it’s essential. Our volunteer crew take part in monthly ground training sessions, refreshing key skills and knowledge. From navigation updates to emergency response drills, these sessions ensure our team is equipped and ready for any scenario.

Are you interested in making a real difference in our community? Whether you're helping in the hangar, supporting with admin, or part of the airborne crew, every role is vital and could help save lives. You can learn more and apply here: ci-airsearch.com/why-not-apply

Our life-saving work is only possible thanks to the generosity of the community. We welcome bequests and donations from organisations looking to make a lasting impact. If you're interested, we’d love to hear from you. For more information, please visit: ci-airsearch.com