Time is of the essence in medical emergencies. Though they are not the ones providing direct patient care, air ambulance pilots can heavily impact the outcomes. It is a job that combines aviation skills with lifesaving missions. The job commands that the pilot stays calm and composed, ensuring a stable, safe environment during transit. It can be one of the most satisfying jobs out there. And if this interests you, you probably have wondered how to become an air ambulance pilot.
What is an Air Ambulance Pilot?
Before we jump into how to become a medevac pilot, let’s look at what the job is all about. An EMS helicopter pilot, sometimes called an air ambulance pilot or medevac pilot, is a skilled professional who flies patients to the healthcare facility as quickly as possible. They often operate in remote areas where transporting a patient by road might take several hours. Air travel can make a huge difference in such areas.
Air ambulance pilots also assist in heavily populated areas to reduce the transportation time, which traffic would add. Typically, such pilots work for a helicopter vendor company that has partnered with hospitals to provide air ambulance services.
How to Become an Air Ambulance Pilot
1. Consider a Degree
Irrespective of which country you are looking at, the steps of how to become an EMS helicopter pilot first require some degree of college education. Of course, a high school diploma is mandatory, but you can also enter the field after completing a bachelor's degree, specifically a bachelor's in science in aviation technology. A college education can pre-qualify you for licenses, even scholarships, which can be a good way to fund your flight training.
2. Pass the Medical Examination
When considering how to become air ambulance pilot, passing the medical examination is an essential step since the authority in question needs to evaluate whether you are fit to control the plane. This step is necessary to ensure that the professional has no medical condition that may impair his/her flying capabilities.
It is essential to check the official source to learn the details of what each country demands in such an examination. For instance, in the United States, you must obtain and maintain a current FAA medical certificate, which may be second-class or first-class. Similarly, in the United Kingdom, air ambulance pilots require a Class 1 medical certificate to operate.
3. Military Training
Although military training is not a necessary step when wondering about how to become an air ambulance pilot, this option can be a viable option to complete your flight hours. However, note that while government authorities consider flight hours in the military, you might still have to pass separate pilot certifications. But you can earn your commercial pilot certificate without additional training.
4. Earn a Private Helicopter Pilot License
If you have the qualifications but are still wondering about how to become a medevac pilot, you can think of getting a Private Pilot Helicopter Certificate. In general, the steps to getting this license remain the same in most countries.
You need to complete ground training that covers proper procedures for before and after flights and information about the helicopter. You must also complete flight hours, which can vary from country to country. For instance, the minimum flight hours required in the US is 40 hours. The same is true for India. In the UK, that figure increases to 45 hours of flight training (including 20 hours of dual flight instruction and 15 hours solo). Once you have completed the required training and logged the necessary flight hours, you must pass a practical flight test to obtain your license.
5. Instrument Certification
If you are thinking of how to become a medevac pilot, getting your instrument certification is vital. This certification shows that you have the skills to fly under Instrument Flight Rules (IFR). With this certification, you can navigate through harsh weather conditions and at times when visibility is low.
You will require a private pilot license to apply for this certification. The particular prerequisites for obtaining it vary between countries. For instance, in the USA, you must pass a written exam and a practical test to get this certification from the FAA. In the UK, you will need 50 hours of pilot-in-command cross-country time (10 in helicopters), complete IR(H) ground exams, and a type rating on an approved helicopter. Similarly, in Australia, you will pass a theoretical examination (IREX) and complete at least 150 hours of flight time as a pilot (including 100 hours in powered aircraft with 50 in helicopters). It is essential to take a deeper look at the prerequisites in your specific country.
6. Earn a Commercial Helicopter Pilot License
You are eligible for a commercial helicopter pilot license if you already have a private pilot license. Of course, the specific rules for obtaining the license are different in different countries, but the basics can be similar. Candidates must pass written and practical exams assessing their knowledge and skills in operating helicopters under various conditions. Some flight hours are also required. Aspiring pilots in the US must log at least 115 flight hours for a Part 141 Commercial Pilot Certificate. These hours include solo, cross-country, and night flying, among other specifics. This is another step that you can take if you are wondering how to become air ambulance pilot.
7. Log More Flight Hours
If you have a private or commercial helicopter pilot license and are still wondering how to become an air ambulance pilot, you must rack up your flight hours. Companies that supply air ambulance pilots to hospitals require 1,000 to 2,000 hours of flight time, far more air time than initial licensing requirements. They also might require specific hours of experience flying helicopters with turbine engines, multi-engine craft, flying at night, or flying with instrument flight rules.
You can accumulate these hours by working different helicopter flying jobs. Consider applying as a helicopter pilot for law enforcement agencies, which requires low hours to get in. You can also consider becoming a flight instructor to fulfil this requirement.
Air Ambulance Pilot: Job Responsibilities
Now that we have familiarized ourselves with how to become an EMS helicopter pilot, it is time to deep dive into what an air ambulance pilot does. If you are unsure whether this job is for you, let's go through the day-to-day job requirements of an air ambulance pilot.
The first matter of business for any air ambulance pilot is to conduct pre-flight inspections. This ensures that the aircraft is ready for air transport and for getting the patient to the medical facility. A prime role in this duty is to also analyze weather reports. Unfavourable weather conditions make it harder to take off. Air ambulance pilots also might need to make real-time decisions about whether they should carry on if the weather suddenly becomes bad.
Another job responsibility when you are thinking of how to become a medevac pilot is the familiarity with the medical equipment that is stored inside the helicopter. While air ambulance pilots don't need to provide patient care, it helps with better communication with the medical professional. Air ambulance pilots also need to prioritize effective communication with the ground staff, air traffic control, and medical team. Effective communication can make or break patient transport. Emergency response in another area where air ambulance pilots need to shine. One never knows when the weather goes bad or if the aircraft runs into any malfunctions. Pilots need to quickly assess the situation and figure out a solution. Documentation is another duty air ambulance pilots must do. Pilots need to maintain detailed records of each flight, including any medical interventions, deviations from the flight plan, or unforeseen challenges.
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A good way to know the challenges, the benefits, and the impact the career of an air ambulance pilot has on an individual is to seek the guidance of someone who can tell you how they became an air ambulance pilot. That can give you a much deeper insight into the life of an EMS helicopter pilot.
Air Ambulance Pilot: Key Skills
Air ambulance pilot requirements are many. If you are still wondering how to become an air ambulance pilot, consider also looking at the soft skills that can help you fast-track your career.
- Physical fitness: Air ambulance pilots need to lift, load, and push fairly heavy weights to load and operate the helicopter.
- Coordination and speed: This ability can help such pilots react quickly to unexpected events and adjust course quickly if needed.
- Knowledge of aviation regulations: Like all pilots, an EMS helicopter pilot must operate their helicopter within regulations, including aircraft maintenance standards, protocols, and routes.
- Math and science skills: Understanding how instruments operate and how weather affects the craft's operation is crucial for understanding instruments and plotting the best course.
Conclusion
In medical emergencies where every second counts, air ambulance pilots emerge as the unsung heroes, navigating through the myriad of challenges to safely transport patients in critical need of medical intervention. More and more hospitals are opening up to the potential of air ambulance, further increasing the demand for pilots. If you are now clear on how to become an air ambulance pilot, you can start applying to air ambulance pilot jobs and make a career that is both exciting and immensely rewarding.
