Police / HEMS?
Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83
Likes: 0
From: off me 'ead
Police / HEMS?
I am a current RAF pilot who is thinking of leaving. I will have 2,000 hrs and an ATPL(H) in my back pocket and I am interested in finding out more about flying for the Police or Air Ambulance.
Any information on the following would be appreciated:
Shift patterns.
Recruitment procedure and length of contracts.
How long do you have to 'float' for before getting a permanent position.
Pay & allowences.
Thanks for your help,
SB
Any information on the following would be appreciated:
Shift patterns.
Recruitment procedure and length of contracts.
How long do you have to 'float' for before getting a permanent position.
Pay & allowences.
Thanks for your help,
SB
Joined: Nov 1998
Posts: 460
Likes: 0
From: UK
You won't have to float at the moment. Speak to the major providers directly and I'm sure they will tell you everything you need to know. There are plenty of opportunities and they will only be to pleased to speak.
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 377
Likes: 0
From: Jankara
Why Not Try Africa
SB,
It might seem like a silly suggestion, but why not try Africa? Bristow are desperate for people at present and pay amd allowances are good (as they need to be because of the risks involved - though, if you ever got to NI/Falklands/GW it would be as nothing!
). They're offering 6/6 or 8/4 touring rotations (good for avoiding UK tax liability 
) and you'd fly around 80 - 100 hours a month, so good for hours building. It's not too long away from your family if you have children and all the time off is completely free, which is great. With your hours, you probably wouldn't qualify for a command on most oil company contracts, but Bristow now employ some expat SFOs, you'd get valuable offshore and IFR time and soon have enough hours to meet the oil company requirements. You'd also get a Bell 412, EC155 or S76 conversion which may be useful down the road. Although Bristow is an American company nowadays, it still has an office in Redhill which does a lot of the administration for Nigeria and the 2 ops managers in Nigeria are both currently Brits. If you want to know more PM me
It might seem like a silly suggestion, but why not try Africa? Bristow are desperate for people at present and pay amd allowances are good (as they need to be because of the risks involved - though, if you ever got to NI/Falklands/GW it would be as nothing!
). They're offering 6/6 or 8/4 touring rotations (good for avoiding UK tax liability ) and you'd fly around 80 - 100 hours a month, so good for hours building. It's not too long away from your family if you have children and all the time off is completely free, which is great. With your hours, you probably wouldn't qualify for a command on most oil company contracts, but Bristow now employ some expat SFOs, you'd get valuable offshore and IFR time and soon have enough hours to meet the oil company requirements. You'd also get a Bell 412, EC155 or S76 conversion which may be useful down the road. Although Bristow is an American company nowadays, it still has an office in Redhill which does a lot of the administration for Nigeria and the 2 ops managers in Nigeria are both currently Brits. If you want to know more PM me
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 245
Likes: 0
From: Lagos
Seymour and PF,
MamaPut is right, the pay in Nigeria is good at the moment, but it's for a good reason - the place is dangerous
. The threat of hijacking and kidnapping is very real - 2 Bristow employees were kidnapped last year and 4 hostages have now been in captivity since before Christmas. The companies are belatedly working to improve personal security and offer extra pay for the danger. If you make some good money and get plenty of flying it's worth considering, but go in to it with yur eyes wide open.
MamaPut is right, the pay in Nigeria is good at the moment, but it's for a good reason - the place is dangerous
. The threat of hijacking and kidnapping is very real - 2 Bristow employees were kidnapped last year and 4 hostages have now been in captivity since before Christmas. The companies are belatedly working to improve personal security and offer extra pay for the danger. If you make some good money and get plenty of flying it's worth considering, but go in to it with yur eyes wide open.
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,957
Likes: 0
From: Australia
Mate, have I got the job for you, just check out the current thread on Interesting times in Aussie SAR/EMS.
All you’ll need is a winch ticket in the other back pocket a couple of Big Jim torches and you’ll be set.
Oh, and floating is a requirement, from front to back of an AW139, just plainy disregard any OZ CASA Regulations which might dribble on about being tethered in somewheres.
There was a court case in Cairns Queensland involving in part, that very same issue some (16?) years ago. In light of that these latest ‘floating’ antics are very surprising.
Sunny Queensalnd, down under, you’ll do well.
Cheers tet.
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 2,055
Likes: 31
From: Liverpool based Geordie, so calm down, calm down kidda!!
SB, I will give you a call next week. Not sure what MightyGem PM'ed to you, but we work at the same unit. Feel free to 'drop in' to Woodvale anytime and get the feel of what goes on. I am a changed man!! Hardly ever drink and behave proper in public don't you know. Something to do with the pressure being off; in the civvie world, a pilot is a pilot first and errrrr a pilot second. No niffnaff and trivia, but much lower pay!! It's worth it.......
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 2,055
Likes: 31
From: Liverpool based Geordie, so calm down, calm down kidda!!
How to get me into trouble. Woman times ONE. Plus the doctor telling me that my stomach was shot to bits. Better now but I quite like the semi sober life.
