Becoming an Air Ambulance pilot - am I dreaming?
Purveyor of Egg Liqueur to Lucifer
I further hope that the pilot makes 100 grand a year, works from home, and drives a company car.
1. Working from home, would the pilot live at the airbase or would the airbase have to move to the residential area the pilot lives in, and which of the pilots home does it operate from, or would each pilot have his/her own airbase?
2. Why would you need a company car if you worked from home?
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Air Ambo Pilot?
Mate,
The question that you should be asking yourself, and be brutally honest, is, why do you want to become an Air Ambo Pilot?
In the UK you are never going to be able to compete with all of the guys leaving the AAC and RAF with the levels of experience that they possess and the established network that leans toward hiring ex mil guys in the UK. Have a look at the Gloucestershire Air Ambo web site for instance? '22 years AAC, instructor on Apaches' etc. See what I mean?
If you want to become a professional pilot then be aware it is a very hard and long road to get to a point where you will be hired for air ambo / police / offshore. We are talking ten plus years in the industry minimum.
If you REALLY just have to be a pilot then research it hard and then be prepared for the reality of a long hard slog and a high probability of failure.
Otherwise, if you have the cash then just do it for fun as I'm sure it can be just as rewarding being 'just' a pplh as well. Good luck
The question that you should be asking yourself, and be brutally honest, is, why do you want to become an Air Ambo Pilot?
In the UK you are never going to be able to compete with all of the guys leaving the AAC and RAF with the levels of experience that they possess and the established network that leans toward hiring ex mil guys in the UK. Have a look at the Gloucestershire Air Ambo web site for instance? '22 years AAC, instructor on Apaches' etc. See what I mean?
If you want to become a professional pilot then be aware it is a very hard and long road to get to a point where you will be hired for air ambo / police / offshore. We are talking ten plus years in the industry minimum.
If you REALLY just have to be a pilot then research it hard and then be prepared for the reality of a long hard slog and a high probability of failure.
Otherwise, if you have the cash then just do it for fun as I'm sure it can be just as rewarding being 'just' a pplh as well. Good luck
Last edited by floatsarmed; 10th Jan 2011 at 05:27. Reason: typo
Pittsblerke.
I have done 14 yrs as a police/hems pilot. I am also an ex mil pilot.
I have seen a paramedic on £22000 remortgage his house and obtain a CPL Ir for a total of £48000 all inclusive.
He was picked up by an oil rig company doing offshore with the bare minimum hours. He will slowly work his way up to captain over the next 3-5 yrs.
So it can be done.
That said - I have never met someone so committed...and so lucky. The economy currently though is not the same.
The acid test for me would be if my son asked me the same question that you posed.
My answer would be a categoric NO. The risks are too great and I would suggest the vast majority look back after going down that road and wish they'd never started.
Stick with your PPL, your comfortable lfe style and do something else that is as exciting.....
At best you'll wallow in a mickey mouse 'holding' job, on £20 - 30000 forever.
Your IR will probably never be used in anger. As for HEMS driver - you will have to join the dead mans shoes queue
Finally - a word of advice: please, for the sake of the industry, dont ever volunteer your services for free or less than market prices. You will drive everyone elses salaries down. It is frowned on.
Regards.
I have done 14 yrs as a police/hems pilot. I am also an ex mil pilot.
I have seen a paramedic on £22000 remortgage his house and obtain a CPL Ir for a total of £48000 all inclusive.
He was picked up by an oil rig company doing offshore with the bare minimum hours. He will slowly work his way up to captain over the next 3-5 yrs.
So it can be done.
That said - I have never met someone so committed...and so lucky. The economy currently though is not the same.
The acid test for me would be if my son asked me the same question that you posed.
My answer would be a categoric NO. The risks are too great and I would suggest the vast majority look back after going down that road and wish they'd never started.
Stick with your PPL, your comfortable lfe style and do something else that is as exciting.....
At best you'll wallow in a mickey mouse 'holding' job, on £20 - 30000 forever.
Your IR will probably never be used in anger. As for HEMS driver - you will have to join the dead mans shoes queue
Finally - a word of advice: please, for the sake of the industry, dont ever volunteer your services for free or less than market prices. You will drive everyone elses salaries down. It is frowned on.
Regards.
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Specifically as an Air ambo pilot....... If it was my son asked this question, I would also say don't do it. That said, you MIGHT get lucky, but probably won't. The job market is not great and there are ex-mil pilots who are struggling to get jobs with a lot more experience.
As a helicopter pilot?????? If you can afford to fail, why not?
As a helicopter pilot?????? If you can afford to fail, why not?
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Never a truer word said..... When anyone finds out my job, they tend to say "That must be exciting!!". NO IT ISN'T!! It has its moments and they are MOMENTS, but generally it is boring.
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Thank you everyone.
Thanks to everyone for posting replies, I appreciate your time and I'm pragmatic enough to understand that this would not be an easy endeavour.
My reasons for wanting to undertake this challenge are numerous. What I didn't mention is that I passed OASC at Biggin Hill about 20 years years ago and was sponsored through university as an APO on a RAF cadetship, however, it all came to a premature end because of an eyesight problem that wasn't detected during the selection medicals. It only came to light two years after I joined when I became a little short sighted and was packed off to Halton for further tests and given the bad news. I had surgery to correct the problem after I left the RAF but it wasn't a viable option at the time so I was medically discharged. At the time I was absolutely gutted so you could say there is a big itch I need to scratch. Having built up my business and achieved a degree of financial security (which I have worked bloody hard to do), I potentially have a second chance to follow my childhood dream. Obviously the military is out of the question, airlines don't appeal in the slightest so I was thinking about about a challenging and worthwhile flying job.
I note the many comments about offering to work for free. All fair points and apart from the unnecessarily obtuse and unhelpful post by FH1100, well made.
The truth is I wasn't contemplating working for free as a career pilot for the rest of my life, rather, from my limited fixed wing experience I know of plenty of people that have flown glider tugs, parachute ships, positioning fights etc etc for little or no money to help build up their experience. I was wondering if there were similar opportunities in the helicopter world.
Thank you again to everyone for your advice, I'll take it all on board and to those of you that have achieved what I dream of doing, my utmost respect.
My reasons for wanting to undertake this challenge are numerous. What I didn't mention is that I passed OASC at Biggin Hill about 20 years years ago and was sponsored through university as an APO on a RAF cadetship, however, it all came to a premature end because of an eyesight problem that wasn't detected during the selection medicals. It only came to light two years after I joined when I became a little short sighted and was packed off to Halton for further tests and given the bad news. I had surgery to correct the problem after I left the RAF but it wasn't a viable option at the time so I was medically discharged. At the time I was absolutely gutted so you could say there is a big itch I need to scratch. Having built up my business and achieved a degree of financial security (which I have worked bloody hard to do), I potentially have a second chance to follow my childhood dream. Obviously the military is out of the question, airlines don't appeal in the slightest so I was thinking about about a challenging and worthwhile flying job.
I note the many comments about offering to work for free. All fair points and apart from the unnecessarily obtuse and unhelpful post by FH1100, well made.
The truth is I wasn't contemplating working for free as a career pilot for the rest of my life, rather, from my limited fixed wing experience I know of plenty of people that have flown glider tugs, parachute ships, positioning fights etc etc for little or no money to help build up their experience. I was wondering if there were similar opportunities in the helicopter world.
Thank you again to everyone for your advice, I'll take it all on board and to those of you that have achieved what I dream of doing, my utmost respect.
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The truth is I wasn't contemplating working for free as a career pilot for the rest of my life, rather, from my limited fixed wing experience I know of plenty of people that have flown glider tugs, parachute ships, positioning fights etc etc for little or no money to help build up their experience. I was wondering if there were similar opportunities in the helicopter world.
In reality, those sorts of roles are rare in the helicopter world in the UK. There may be the odd repositioning job for maintenance but again, competition is high and most operators would prefer to trust their aircraft to a more experienced pilot.
Whilst FH1100's reply lacks something of a bedside manner, you'd still do well to take on board what he (or she) says. It may not have been what you wanted to hear but was a valid reply nevertheless.
If you haven't already, get a Class 1 medical and have a helicopter trial lesson.
Cheers
Whirls
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reply to silsoesid
Thats what I have been telling the crybabies I have worked with over the years.
"you wouldn't be happy if they paid you a hundred grand a year to work at home AND they give you a company car!"
Or to some of my army buddies who complained about the pay:
"you mean if they paid you a million a year you could actually find the LZ?"
And ohhhh, when we had to go to the field:
"maybe the commanding general can arrange for an enemy attack at the division housing area, that way you wouldn't have to go to the field. Just shoot them from your lawn chair."
cheers
"you wouldn't be happy if they paid you a hundred grand a year to work at home AND they give you a company car!"
Or to some of my army buddies who complained about the pay:
"you mean if they paid you a million a year you could actually find the LZ?"
And ohhhh, when we had to go to the field:
"maybe the commanding general can arrange for an enemy attack at the division housing area, that way you wouldn't have to go to the field. Just shoot them from your lawn chair."
cheers
Last edited by grumpytroll; 6th Jan 2011 at 19:40. Reason: title
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If you want to do something worthwhile and enjoyable, and you have a decent income already, have you considered training to be a paramedic and work towards getting yourself a job as an air ambulance paramedic, and at the same time go get your PPL(H) and fly in your time off for fun? I'm sure the position of being an airborne paramedic is highly sought after, but I bet you would stand a much better chance of succeeding in that aim than you would at flying the things yourself. That way, you will get the best of both worlds?
"Just a pilot"
1. At 37, am I too old to carve out a career as a commercial helicopter pilot?
No
2. Are there reasonable prospects for employment (either part or full time) if I was to commence and complete a course within the next 18 months?
This is a tougher one, but "reasonable prospects"? Probably not, more later.
3. The ultimate objective is to become an air ambulance pilot. Would I have cat in hell's chance of achieving this and what would I need to do?
Yes. No. And- maybe. It's possible you'll get where you want to be. It's very unlikely, but it could happen. If you're industrious and the stars align, you could work in this field. Having a measure of financial security helps, as does being mature (there are positive aspects to being 37) and experienced. You could do it.
Reasonable prospects?
There's a lot of experience available and looking in the market, right now. Lots of capable pilots will be entering the market before you are competitive. Bad for you, nugget
Acquiring the required experience is a considerable challenge, many (the majority?) never get it. Commonly, one 'travels' extensively and 'lives rough' while actively beating the bushes for the next flight hour. It is tough, even with the ready necessary in the bank.
The majority of EMS pilots are ex-military aviators, and some operators seem to 'prefer' a military background- you won't fit that.
EMS seats aren't predictably available at a preferred location, and that's a major draw for me and many of my peers. I could fly more and/or be better paid in other phases of the industry.
The 'good seats' are very, very stable. Hint- many of the industry's open seats are open with good cause...
You could do this thing. But, it's not a 'reasonable prospect', more the 'cat in hell's chance' kind of thing. If failure's better than not trying- well, somebody's going to be filling a seat at my base in the next few years.
P.S. Don't 'work for free'. Do favors, as required, but don't ever give it away. It cheapens what you'll be trying to accomplish, don't minimize that factor. Prostitution (conventional definition) is the only field where 'free' services might be preferred to paid. I'd like to think my profession is better than that.
No
2. Are there reasonable prospects for employment (either part or full time) if I was to commence and complete a course within the next 18 months?
This is a tougher one, but "reasonable prospects"? Probably not, more later.
3. The ultimate objective is to become an air ambulance pilot. Would I have cat in hell's chance of achieving this and what would I need to do?
Yes. No. And- maybe. It's possible you'll get where you want to be. It's very unlikely, but it could happen. If you're industrious and the stars align, you could work in this field. Having a measure of financial security helps, as does being mature (there are positive aspects to being 37) and experienced. You could do it.
Reasonable prospects?
There's a lot of experience available and looking in the market, right now. Lots of capable pilots will be entering the market before you are competitive. Bad for you, nugget
Acquiring the required experience is a considerable challenge, many (the majority?) never get it. Commonly, one 'travels' extensively and 'lives rough' while actively beating the bushes for the next flight hour. It is tough, even with the ready necessary in the bank.
The majority of EMS pilots are ex-military aviators, and some operators seem to 'prefer' a military background- you won't fit that.
EMS seats aren't predictably available at a preferred location, and that's a major draw for me and many of my peers. I could fly more and/or be better paid in other phases of the industry.
The 'good seats' are very, very stable. Hint- many of the industry's open seats are open with good cause...
You could do this thing. But, it's not a 'reasonable prospect', more the 'cat in hell's chance' kind of thing. If failure's better than not trying- well, somebody's going to be filling a seat at my base in the next few years.
P.S. Don't 'work for free'. Do favors, as required, but don't ever give it away. It cheapens what you'll be trying to accomplish, don't minimize that factor. Prostitution (conventional definition) is the only field where 'free' services might be preferred to paid. I'd like to think my profession is better than that.
Last edited by Devil 49; 8th Jan 2011 at 11:23. Reason: clarity
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In order to 'end up' flying an Air Ambulance you will HAVE to do other flying jobs first.In the civillian world ,to get the minimum requirements you just have to it's the way of the world. That said you would still be flying for a living, and isn't that what you want? If you can't face the idea, then I would suggest the whole flying thing isn't for you. You never know you may find a flying job you don't want to move on from ,or that takes you in another direction.Remember at the moment you want to be an AA pilot, but you don't really know what that entails it may not even be for you.
If you have the cash - and the 'need'- do the course. You never know where it will lead.
If you have the cash - and the 'need'- do the course. You never know where it will lead.
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Originally Posted by hands on123
I think being an instructor or a photo/survey pilot can be just as rewarding, but no-one ever seems to want to do that as their ambition.
OK, I've never been an AA pilot, but here are my reasons/perceptions for it not being top of my list of pilot careers. No doubt here some can put me straight.
Imagine a nasty RTA on a Dual Carriageway ... a family. Husband driving and fatally injured, wife critical, teenage children in the back relatively unscathed physically and distraught. Who is there to talk to them, comfort them? Who is there to decide whether to answer the ringing mobile phone? Who is there to pick up the personal belongings; the CDs, the shopping, the clothing .... ? And who cleans out the helicopter on return to base?
I can't begin to imagine some of the traumas that AA pilots must witness and deal with. Not sure I am made of such stern stuff to be able to switch off when I get home. Even Richard Hammond couldn't tempt me. And I do know of one AA pilot who had a nervous breakdown because of everything he'd seen and witnessed.
Nah .. give me a pipeline survery - 50/50 flying
or a student trying to kill me any day Cheers
Whirls
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50/50 flying
Sounds dodgy to me; I prefer far better odds of getting back down safely.
Do you mean sharing?
Hovering AND talking
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50 feet, 50 knots and if the engine goes, you've a 50/50 chance of surviving ...
Cheers
Whirls
Cheers
Whirls
Imagine a nasty RTA
I know its going to be a bad job when the paramedic who has taken the details on the 'phone, runs out to the helicopter excited and happy!
Given the limited time scale available and pittsblerkes financial security, I think that GS-Alpha has offered him a good suggestion.
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Just try saying, "ha ha very funny ..."
Cheers
Whirls
Cheers
Whirls
I think your humour rather overshot that particular Antipodean cephalic Whirls.
Of course, I've no idea about low flying.
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While you were sleeping ....
ShyT, ... stuff was posted and subequently deleted. 
... you don't have a great deal of choice in your neck of the woods. 
Cheers
Whirls
Originally Posted by Bertie Thruster
but my wife says I drive really slowly these days
Cheers
Whirls