Meet the helicopter pilots who have spent thousands of hours flying for Yorkshire Air Ambulance
Few people take to the skies with the same mission in mind as these two - saving lives across Yorkshire's towns, cities and rural communities.
Now the pair, both ranked among Yorkshire Air Ambulance’s (YAA) most experienced pilots, have this year passed a major milestone in topping 6,000 flying miles each.
This is a huge achievement, said YAS, and a landmark which is rarely reached within Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) operations.
Between them, chief pilot Owen McTeggart and pilot training captain Garry Brasher have dedicated decades of service - potentially helping to save a huge number of lives.
Reaching a milestone such as this, said the charity's director of aviation Steve Wardby, is an "outstanding" achievement.
It reflects the professionalism, judgement and commitment the pair bring to their roles each day, he added.
"Their experience strengthens our entire aviation operation and directly contributes to the safe, reliable service our patients rely on.”
Reaching 6,000 flying hours is an incredible milestone in any flying role, but particularly so in emergency missions.
In commercial flying, each flight can last many hours, while here the mission must be quick and sharp - often in high intensity bursts with several tricky landings a day.
Unpredictable weather and tricky conditions make it even harder, while each hour sees them in sustained concentration and having to think quick on their feet.
Neither would change it for the world, they said. Their next milestone might be 8,760 hours, the equivalent of one full year spent airborne, but their focus is on the next generation.
Mr Brasher said: “I genuinely love flying for Yorkshire Air Ambulance, so reaching this point in my career feels incredibly special."
There is nothing like flying for the emergency services, he added.
"HEMS flying gives you opportunities you simply wouldn’t experience elsewhere, from landing in places you’d never reach in any other type of flying to operating a fantastic aircraft, all while knowing that every flight has a clear purpose and a real impact for patients across Yorkshire.
"Just as important to me is working with other pilots, helping to build confidence and share experience so we continue to grow as a strong, capable team.”
Between them, the pair have accumulated 58 years of operational flying experience across the military, police and air ambulance
They trained together, as military helicopter pilots back in 1997 at the Army School of Aviation, before going into service.
Leaving the forces, Mr Brasher went on to fly with PremiAir Aviation, supporting the police, and within the UK air ambulance sector before joining YAA 13 years ago.
Mr McTeggart, meanwhile, flew with YAA back in 2012 before broadening his wings, returning to the charity seven years ago and reuniting the pair once more.
Now they are responsible for mentoring and training pilot and technical teams, embedding best practice, and ensuring the highest levels of safety in the service.