Becoming a Police Pilot
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jwf,
When I was studying for my PPLH I had chance to pick the brain of one of the charter pilots who had done Police / HEMS flying.
Positions are sought after due to the nature of the work, especially with HEMS - rather than being a charter pilot flying from a to b, you're part of a team that at the end of the day can save lives. The HEMS flying is varied and involves some interesting landing spots (roads, school fields, etc).
I was told that Police work can also be exciting but can be repetitive at times, often circling a scene, or being stood down at the last minute.
You'll note from the adverts that appear now and then that these positions usually demand pilots with an ATPLH and several hundred or thousand hours, usually on type.
Everyone has to start somewhere and, as with the previous post, getting experience on a turbine machine is vital before the Police / HEMS recruiters will even consider you.
Unless you've got a stack of cash tucked away in the loft or take a military route, then offshore is a good plan - that's the route the pilot I mentioned above took.
Also, as with much in life, it's who you know that helps plus applying when jobs are available.
Hope this helps as it's what I've been advised. If you get an answer from 'the horses mouth' then all the better!
WB
When I was studying for my PPLH I had chance to pick the brain of one of the charter pilots who had done Police / HEMS flying.
Positions are sought after due to the nature of the work, especially with HEMS - rather than being a charter pilot flying from a to b, you're part of a team that at the end of the day can save lives. The HEMS flying is varied and involves some interesting landing spots (roads, school fields, etc).
I was told that Police work can also be exciting but can be repetitive at times, often circling a scene, or being stood down at the last minute.
You'll note from the adverts that appear now and then that these positions usually demand pilots with an ATPLH and several hundred or thousand hours, usually on type.
Everyone has to start somewhere and, as with the previous post, getting experience on a turbine machine is vital before the Police / HEMS recruiters will even consider you.
Unless you've got a stack of cash tucked away in the loft or take a military route, then offshore is a good plan - that's the route the pilot I mentioned above took.
Also, as with much in life, it's who you know that helps plus applying when jobs are available.
Hope this helps as it's what I've been advised. If you get an answer from 'the horses mouth' then all the better!
WB
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jwforeman
The only UK company currently offering "Cadetship" type schemes is Bristow Helicopters. However, they are normally looking for low-time or even no-time fixed wing chaps and chapesses who are subjected to an entry interview/test process similar to that used by the RAF. Training is nowadays conducted in the USA, but to CAA licence standards.
They will also expect you to return the favour of being trained by remaining with the company a number of years (used to be 4, but I think it may even be 6 now). If you leave early you have to pay back your training pro-rata to the number of years remaining on your initial contract.
The only thing I can't tell you is whether they are looking for any "cadets" right now.......
They will also expect you to return the favour of being trained by remaining with the company a number of years (used to be 4, but I think it may even be 6 now). If you leave early you have to pay back your training pro-rata to the number of years remaining on your initial contract.
The only thing I can't tell you is whether they are looking for any "cadets" right now.......
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Thanks for the replies everyone.
wokkaboy - it does indeed seem like a good flying carrer, and a one which I'd love to look further into.
At the moment, theres no way that I could self fund to commercial and ATPL level, at least at the moment. I'll take a look into the Bristow Helicopters scheme, which sounds a very good option.
The slighty stupid thing is, with the help of my parents, I'm about to (re)start my fixed wing PPL training - I can't afford to tie myself down to helicopters at the moment. I assume this wouldn't cause a problem with an interview at Bristow Helicopters, would it - there isn't some kind of prejudice againsts fix winger's is there?
Also, does anyone have any idea of the annual intake at Bristow Helicopters?
Luckily time is on my side - I'm 17 with a year left of full time school education. Then I'll probably be off to university.
Anyway, thanks very much everybody.
John.
wokkaboy - it does indeed seem like a good flying carrer, and a one which I'd love to look further into.
At the moment, theres no way that I could self fund to commercial and ATPL level, at least at the moment. I'll take a look into the Bristow Helicopters scheme, which sounds a very good option.
The slighty stupid thing is, with the help of my parents, I'm about to (re)start my fixed wing PPL training - I can't afford to tie myself down to helicopters at the moment. I assume this wouldn't cause a problem with an interview at Bristow Helicopters, would it - there isn't some kind of prejudice againsts fix winger's is there?
Also, does anyone have any idea of the annual intake at Bristow Helicopters?
Luckily time is on my side - I'm 17 with a year left of full time school education. Then I'll probably be off to university.
Anyway, thanks very much everybody.
John.
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Generally the jobs are 'dead mans shoes' and they tend to go for ex-military. That said, there are plenty of 'civilian only' pilots out there doing an excellent job. I am off sick at the moment so I cant read the books, but I seem to remember 1500 hours being the minimum sort of experience asked. In this world of airlines starting to recruit again........ you never know.... less hours might be enough, if people are moving on in numbers....
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I think the Millitary / non-Millitary ratio of UK Police pilots is about 2/3rds 1/3rd in favour of Millitary, but there are plenty that have come in from civvy backgrounds.
I don't know of any Force that makes them Special Constables though - some Forces directly employ and some have pilotage contracts with Bond / PAS / Macs etc.
I don't know of any Force that makes them Special Constables though - some Forces directly employ and some have pilotage contracts with Bond / PAS / Macs etc.
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jwforeman
You might want to look at these two threads -
Becoming a Police pilot
How NOT to become a Police pilot!
You might want to look at these two threads -
Becoming a Police pilot
How NOT to become a Police pilot!
The typical police pilot is someone who has done the rounds a bit and is likely to be aged early thirties onwards; it's not that you need to be some sort of ace to do the job but you need to be aware of the practical requirements. Most police ASUs are staffed on a day to day basis by just the pilot and two cops so you're very much on your own as regards the aviation/engineering management.
The flying can be quite challenging, though as has been said the results aren't necessarily all that interesting - I've long since lost count of the number of empty school fields I've searched. Perhaps most importantly there is a great deal of standby time, sat in the office waiting for a halfway decent request; I work nearly 2000 duty hours a year and only just crack the 200 flying hours. What this means is that it tends to be a job for the individual who has already learned a bit and scared themselves a few times; if you're after lots of flying you need to go elsewhere first.
On the positive side it tends to be stable, gets you home every end of shift, you don't become personally acquainted with every wave on the North Sea and you avoid the frustrations of certain, err... lesser developed parts of the world. If these latter are more appealing then the best of luck, go for them.
The high ratio of mil to civvy in the emergency services is largely because the ex-mil people are pretty much ready "off the shelf" to do the work but it's as much about the individual attitude as the background.
The flying can be quite challenging, though as has been said the results aren't necessarily all that interesting - I've long since lost count of the number of empty school fields I've searched. Perhaps most importantly there is a great deal of standby time, sat in the office waiting for a halfway decent request; I work nearly 2000 duty hours a year and only just crack the 200 flying hours. What this means is that it tends to be a job for the individual who has already learned a bit and scared themselves a few times; if you're after lots of flying you need to go elsewhere first.
On the positive side it tends to be stable, gets you home every end of shift, you don't become personally acquainted with every wave on the North Sea and you avoid the frustrations of certain, err... lesser developed parts of the world. If these latter are more appealing then the best of luck, go for them.
The high ratio of mil to civvy in the emergency services is largely because the ex-mil people are pretty much ready "off the shelf" to do the work but it's as much about the individual attitude as the background.
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Hey,
Thanks for all the replies once again.
Firstly regarding the "how not to become a police pilot" - what possesed him to do that?!? Can't believe any pilot at any level would even try...
Now regarding my career it seems that if helicopters are to be my chosen path I'll be trying to get the sponserhip mentioned before. Other than the posibility of going modular and hoping for a job that seems the only realistic option. Of course, theres still fixed wing...
And finally, Droopy, you don't happen to be based at Newcastle, do you? I see its up North, but wondered if its over here. If so I may see you at the airport one day, I'll be there quite often soon.
Anyway, thanks very much everybody.
John
Thanks for all the replies once again.
Firstly regarding the "how not to become a police pilot" - what possesed him to do that?!? Can't believe any pilot at any level would even try...
Now regarding my career it seems that if helicopters are to be my chosen path I'll be trying to get the sponserhip mentioned before. Other than the posibility of going modular and hoping for a job that seems the only realistic option. Of course, theres still fixed wing...
And finally, Droopy, you don't happen to be based at Newcastle, do you? I see its up North, but wondered if its over here. If so I may see you at the airport one day, I'll be there quite often soon.
Anyway, thanks very much everybody.
John
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jw,
You will find that the majority of police/HEMS pilots are ex-mil because, typically, operators will stipulate a min of 2000 hours (1500 PIC), 200 hrs twin, 200 hrs night. They will probably want evidence of experience in the low-level environment too, as that is where we workl most of the time. Not many self-funded pilots can get that kind of experience. That said, there are full-on civvies out there - (obviously v. determined chaps).
You will find that the majority of police/HEMS pilots are ex-mil because, typically, operators will stipulate a min of 2000 hours (1500 PIC), 200 hrs twin, 200 hrs night. They will probably want evidence of experience in the low-level environment too, as that is where we workl most of the time. Not many self-funded pilots can get that kind of experience. That said, there are full-on civvies out there - (obviously v. determined chaps).
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I was told that they require a minimum of 500 hrs low level experience which you will only obtain though flying in the military.
is this true or is my resource full of it.
is this true or is my resource full of it.
I was told that they require a minimum of 500 hrs low level experience
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I am a London HEMS pilot - civilian trained ( 3 civvies out of 5 total). Low level experience was gained from pipeline/powerline ops (often below 50' agl). Inspection flying gives a lot of hours/experience in a relatively short space of time - often 800 - 900 hours/year. Most companies however will require 1000 hrs flight time before allowing you off on single pilot low level ops. This also varies with contract requirements. Some companies require ATPL(H) if you are flying their observers as opposed to contactors.
The Guidelines are just that - guides.
Individual Units top these guidelines up to safeguard their operations.
For instance flying the London HEMS, I would suggest, does not require the same "low flying" skills as flying in the Dyfed Powys / Strathclyde / N Wales force areas. We would therefore 'ramp' up the experience req'd to join our Units.
Common sense - really.
It'll always be a closed shop though - 'cos it's little boys playing with big toys...and we don't want anyone else to play
(joke, joke - calm down).
Individual Units top these guidelines up to safeguard their operations.
For instance flying the London HEMS, I would suggest, does not require the same "low flying" skills as flying in the Dyfed Powys / Strathclyde / N Wales force areas. We would therefore 'ramp' up the experience req'd to join our Units.
Common sense - really.
It'll always be a closed shop though - 'cos it's little boys playing with big toys...and we don't want anyone else to play
(joke, joke - calm down).
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The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) have just purchased a Eurocopter EC135 and I believe they are looking for four pilots.
The helicopter is based at RAF Aldergrove.
The helicopter is based at RAF Aldergrove.
Tightgit
So, what you are implying is that the only consideration most people should have when they choose a career is maximum remuneration.....
In which case why do any of us become helicopter pilots when we could chance our arm to be international rock stars, Footballers, Consultant Surgeons, Barristers (alright, I appreciate FL is!), ad nauseum. All of whom would have an earning potential of far more than your average joe helicopter pilot.
However I digress. Maybe PAS won't be able to find 2000 hr pilots on that salary. If they do, it will be because they are offering a job somebody wants in a place they want to work and at a salary they are willing to work for.
In which case why do any of us become helicopter pilots when we could chance our arm to be international rock stars, Footballers, Consultant Surgeons, Barristers (alright, I appreciate FL is!), ad nauseum. All of whom would have an earning potential of far more than your average joe helicopter pilot.
However I digress. Maybe PAS won't be able to find 2000 hr pilots on that salary. If they do, it will be because they are offering a job somebody wants in a place they want to work and at a salary they are willing to work for.
Originally Posted by flungdung
500 hour co-pilots are paid 50K on the North Sea.
Edited for clarity
Last edited by Bravo73; 1st Feb 2006 at 13:51.