Rescue Helicopters
The pilots of rescue helicopters have a responsibility for the safety of their machines, crews and passengers throughout each rescue missions. They have to be competent, courageous and able to make clear decisions.
Each pilot must have many thousands of hours of flying experience before taking up helicopter rescue work. This type of work has the potential to be extremely dangerous. Helicopters are often the only vehicles that can be used when a rescue is required in remote or difficult situations.
It is essential that the helicopter is ready to respond immediately when a call is received from police or ambulance headquarters. Therefore, the pilot makes sure that the engineers service the helicopter regularly and the paramedics have the medical equipments available at all times.
During rescue missions, the pilot constantly checks weather and flight conditions.
The pilot communicates with the crew, the ground control centre and where possible, the people at the accident site. THis enables the pilot to make the best decisions for a successful rescue.
Rescue helicopter pilots have an important role in every community. Sometimes they put their own lives at risk to save others.
