CUNNING RUNNING COLLABORATES WITH DEVON AIR AMBULANCE TO ENHANCE SAFE LANDING SITE PLANNING
HLS-PRAS delivers safer, faster, more confident operational decision-making.
Romsey, UK, 11 September 2025: Today, Cunning Running, a specialist in 2D/3D mapping, visualisation and planning, announced that it is working closely with Devon Air Ambulance (DAA) to refine and deploy its Helicopter Landing Site software (HLS-PRAS). The collaboration ensures the software delivers exactly what frontline operators need, fitting seamlessly into existing procedures and systems.
Emergency responders often need to land helicopters near a casualty or critical scene where pre-surveyed landing sites are unavailable or unsuitable. HLS-PRAS enables pilots and flight planners to rapidly identify safe alternatives in both day and night conditions. By applying aircraft-specific criteria such as D-value, gradient, surface type and overhead obstructions, the software filters out unsuitable areas and highlights viable landing sites within walking or driving distance of an incident.
Through ongoing trial use, DAA crews are providing valuable operational feedback, guiding subtle refinements that make a significant difference to usability and safety.
“This collaboration is a great example of how we work hand-in-hand with frontline users,” said Phil Cowell, Head of Operations at Cunning Running. “Devon Air Ambulance’s input is helping us fine-tune HLS-PRAS so that it becomes a tool pilots and planners can trust every day, especially during night-time flying.”
Graham Coates, Land Site Manager, commented, “HLS-PRAS is already proving its value by streamlining our planning and supporting safer decision-making. The ability to quickly identify potential landing sites, especially at night or in unfamiliar terrains, gives our crews greater confidence and helps us get to patients faster.”
HLS-PRAS integrates seamlessly with Airbox ACANS and other standard GIS formats, ensuring data flows easily across systems. It also supports future readiness, with the capability to assist in Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) drone operations for emergency equipment delivery.
By embedding user feedback at the heart of development, Cunning Running and Devon Air Ambulance are together shaping a system that improves operational safety, reduces risk and saves valuable time when it matters most.
About Cunning Running:
Cunning Running provides a specialist 2D and 3D mapping, visualisation and planning solution that accelerates decision-making in mission-critical operations. Our software enhances tactical decision-making to strengthen Force Protection (FP) strategies for the military, streamline Counter Terrorism (CT) tasks, expedite search operations for law enforcement and identify safe landing sites for air ambulances. Our users gain the ability to rapidly analyse, visualise and communicate vulnerabilities to attack, countermeasure options, search area priorities, and landing site options. Cunning Running software doesn’t just map and visualise – it gives you the tools to plan key elements of your response. Results are available faster, to a consistent high standard, and in a form that is familiar to users. For more information visit www.cunningrunning.co.uk
CONTACT INFORMATION
For enquiries about Cunning Running, please contact:
Phil Cowell
Cunning Running Ltd
Bell House
32, Bell Street
Romsey
Hampshire
SO51 8GW
United Kingdom
E: philc@cunningrunning.co.uk
T: +44 (0)1794 834 750
M:+44 (0) 7414 959036
For press and media enquiries, please contact:
Warren Ryland
MarFrame Ltd
Club Chambers
Museum Street
York
YO1 7DN
Tel: 01494 726 535
Email: warren.ryland@marframe.com
