EMS Helicopter Pilot
Speech
22 September 2013
Emergency Response Pilot
When there is a car crash on the highway, everyone slows down to gape at the wreckage. However, few have ever seen a truly horrific, heavily gory accident in which a Medivac helicopter has come to rush victims off to safety. Air-medical transport saves lives every day in a plethora of situations. Being a part of the Hawaii Air Ambulance team allows one to be the best pilot they could be in a field whose purpose is saving lives. To be an Emergency Response helicopter pilot requires an extensive amount of skills, certifications and experience. One must have good concentration skills, be calm, collected and focused. One must be analytical and have a high level of mechanical aptitude. A high school diploma is mandatory, classes should include algebra, geometry and physics, a current FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) Commercial Rotorcraft Certificate, also known as a flight school diploma, is also mandatory. One also needs a current FAA Class II Medical Certificate, along with 3,000 total helicopter flight hours which needs to include 1,000 PIC (pilot in command) in helicopters, 1,000 turbine flight hours, 200 IFR (instrument flight rules) flight hours and 100 SPIFR (single pilot instrument flight rules). To receive a FAA Commercial Rotorcraft Certificate one would undergo flight and ground training, a flight physical, written tests, and practical tests. It takes about 14-24 months to fully complete the training. One must be able to help with physical tasks, such as carrying, lifting and pushing weights up to 80 pounds. One must also be able to maintain a weight of no more than 225lbs, fully suited. The salary is approximately $85,000-115,000 depending on experience and number of shifts worked. Shifts are usually one week on, one week off rotations, with shifts being up to 12 hours. Hawaii Air Ambulance’s parent company, Air Medical Resource Group, offers company sponsored health and dental plan for the
22 September 2013
Emergency Response Pilot
When there is a car crash on the highway, everyone slows down to gape at the wreckage. However, few have ever seen a truly horrific, heavily gory accident in which a Medivac helicopter has come to rush victims off to safety. Air-medical transport saves lives every day in a plethora of situations. Being a part of the Hawaii Air Ambulance team allows one to be the best pilot they could be in a field whose purpose is saving lives. To be an Emergency Response helicopter pilot requires an extensive amount of skills, certifications and experience. One must have good concentration skills, be calm, collected and focused. One must be analytical and have a high level of mechanical aptitude. A high school diploma is mandatory, classes should include algebra, geometry and physics, a current FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) Commercial Rotorcraft Certificate, also known as a flight school diploma, is also mandatory. One also needs a current FAA Class II Medical Certificate, along with 3,000 total helicopter flight hours which needs to include 1,000 PIC (pilot in command) in helicopters, 1,000 turbine flight hours, 200 IFR (instrument flight rules) flight hours and 100 SPIFR (single pilot instrument flight rules). To receive a FAA Commercial Rotorcraft Certificate one would undergo flight and ground training, a flight physical, written tests, and practical tests. It takes about 14-24 months to fully complete the training. One must be able to help with physical tasks, such as carrying, lifting and pushing weights up to 80 pounds. One must also be able to maintain a weight of no more than 225lbs, fully suited. The salary is approximately $85,000-115,000 depending on experience and number of shifts worked. Shifts are usually one week on, one week off rotations, with shifts being up to 12 hours. Hawaii Air Ambulance’s parent company, Air Medical Resource Group, offers company sponsored health and dental plan for the
Bibliography: Keefer, Amber. “What Degree Do You Need to Be a Hospital Helicopter Pilot?” Chron. Web. 22 September 2013. http://work.chron.com/degree-need-hospital-helicopter-pilot-7237.html Lassner, Dan. “The Life of an EMS Pilot (emergency medical services)” Rotorcraft Pro. 28 December 2009. Web. 22 September 2013. http://www.justhelicopters.com/HELIARTICLES/tabid/433/ID/476/The-Life-of-an-EMS-Pilot-emergency-medical-services.aspx “FAQ’s: Frequently asked questions about being a helicopter pilot” Higher Ground Helicopters Flight Academy. ©2008. Web. 22 September 2013. http://www.hghelicopters.com/faqs.html#3 “About Hawaii Life Flight” Hawaii Life Flight. ©2013. Web. 22 September 2013.http://www.hawaiilifeflight.com/aboutus.htm Duchek, Charlie. “Becoming a Professional Helicopter Pilot” Midwest Helicopter. ©2009. Web. 22 September 2013. http://www.flymidwest.com/details.aspx?NavID=116