HEMS crews.... What do you do when you're sitting waiting
 

I'm flying HEMS now and the days are getting longer and the calls fewer...
What do/can/have you done to pass the time - and possibly make a few extra $ or €...?

...................and please don't tell me to read a good book :}

Flying
 

As a survivor of a couple of HEMS operations (and the founding pilot of the UK's first) I know exactly where you are coming from - you don't just need a good book - you need THREE GOOD BOOKS as in the Jack Mawgan Trilogy - written by? well yours truly.

You can find out more (and download a booklet on how we set up the Cornwall HEMS in 1986 for free) at Geoff Newman.

G :)

EMS. Earn money sleeping.:zzz: I couldn't do it. Too boring for me.

Doodle jump or Angry Birds :E

Read.
 

Nap. Watch movies. Read. Update weather brief. Read. Work on side projects, right now I'm making the "perfect" Leatherman tool/flashlight ("torch") belt holster/clip. Read. Plan the next vacation. Read, looking for a good book on Second Sino-Japanese War...

Trading stock options.

Make sure everything is spot on with the machine and equipment first and then sit back wait for the phone or pager to go off.

Enjoy the slack days and catch up on some rest because busy days are just around the corner.

Learn to play Uckers.

Errr...sit and wait. :E

Welcome to the world of VHR/QRA/SAR. Crosswords/old films/COD/eBay. Never ending trail of admin. Surfing PPRuNe. If you have the entrepreneurial skill to make money from the Internet, you wouldn't be in HEMS in the first place.

Editing gopro footage from previous job?

Mickjoebill

Take tourists on scenic flights!

Cornwall--you aren't neighbors with Mr. LeCarre are you?

Mach 2
 

When I did a stint on the PZ-Scillies shuttle we would fly past his door every day, sometimes 6 times a day!!

Do you think Cornwall breeds good authors ? or just nurtures them in a kindly way?

G :}

Boys.... I know how to sit and wait - learnt that in Africa years ago. And have an external drive full of old movies and music that I have seen a few times. Now that I have the ability to do something in the time in between (which means I have a good internet connection) I'd like to use it constructively.

Machine can't get checked or cleaned more than it is...Paperwork is always up to date...exercise machines are well utilised...:eek:

If I'm in this for the long haul I don't want to sleep through it, especially because we rotate 7/7 :E

Free time.....
 

When the calls get few enough, the base may close, so it's extremely important to know when to accept a call and when to turn it down. Study the NTSB record of all HEMS accidents for clues on how to avoid being put on that list. Jot down interesting lessons learned and share them at safety meetings with the other pilots. Before long, you will be the base safety officer and will have lots less time on your hands. Then when a base manager slot opens up, you can move right in and make a better salary. (Unless you're working for Air Methods).

Chat to a future King and work on your Knighthood :E

Send lots of CV's to helicopter companies where You are sitting in helicopter ...(offshore:))))

Study human factors & CRM, and qualify as a CRM ground school instructor ( thats what I did whilst waiting for the phone to ring). It may help you stay safe, and it may earn you a few quid/euro/$

Wot he said