Melissa2832

Hi everyone!

I was just wondering if there were any medevac pilots on here that might be willing to answer some questions for me!

I've always loved aviation, and have wanted a pilot career. However, I was never excited about the airlines mostly because of their schedules. I've been considering the fixed-wing, medevac route because I truly want to help people, and their schedules appeal to me! So I was just wondering if anyone would mind answering a few questions!

1) Is it possible to make a 'life-long career' as a medevac pilot?

2) Are you home every night?

3) Is the pay decent?

4) Lastly, what happens if you are supposed to work a 7am-7pm shift and a call comes in at 6:30pm for a two hour flight, so you don't get back until almost 10pm; do you get paid overtime for those hours or how does that work?

Thank you very much for all of your help and advice!

PerfInit

Mel,

Good to hear from you again. I did fixed-wing air ambulance back in the mid-90's. Multi-Engine Recip, 135 on-demand. It pays a bit better than the regionals, but there is a reason for that. Air Ambulance is probably one of the most demanding types of flying one can do. It is typically single pilot IFR; frequently at night and in the weather. I pulled way more all-nighters with that gig than I ever did at the airlines.

Overtime? Doubt it, but depends on the company. Your scenario (flight within a few hours of being released) happened to me all the time. 12-hour shifts, extended to 14... I never got paid more than my straight salary.

It was rewarding and challenging work. It requires being a strong, fit person to help lift the patients in & out of the plane's litter. Not easy if one is petite or prone to back problems. Some of my patients were well over 300#!!

If you are not a "night owl" it may be a difficult job for you. Lots of "flip -flop" between day and nite schedules. Also lots of waiting around at home, airport or FBO. I had to leave a whole cart of groceries in the store one day. When the call comes, you go!

thefalken

I am currently a fixed-wing medevac pilot working as a first officer on a Lear 35. Your questions depend greatly on the company. Several air ambulance pilots are on here. So, hopefully you'll receive lots of responses with a taste of all types of flying.

I work 8 days on-call from home with 6 days off.

1) You most definitely could make a career of it. Though the schedule can make it hard if you have a spouse and children.

2) In the summer and fall (slow season), I find myself home at least 3 or 4 days of my 8 on. During late fall, winter, and early spring, I may be gone 8 days or get to come home 2 or 3 nights. This is usually getting home late in the evening and going back out early the next morning. For example I didn't fly the day before yesterday. Yesterday I flew to Baltimore, Tampa, Guatemala, back to Tampa and still made it home last night. So far it doesn't look like I'll fly today.

3) Pay is increasing rapidly in the industry. As an FO, I make well more than any airline FO makes.

4) I'm salary + per flight hour, so this doesn't really apply.

Like I said, this is strictly how it is where I am. There are other types of flying medevac flying that may be more of what you are looking for.


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biigD

Do you mean any regional airline FO?

thefalken

Exactly what I meant. Thanks for catching that.


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bacca9

I'm currently a 135 medevac pilot. One thing you may find disappointing is that this industry is not about helping people. It's about making money. That's the main reason I'm leaving.

JamesNoBrakes

Commercial health care is about making money.

USMCFLYR

Do you really that YOU aren't helping people?

bacca9

Sir,
PM Sent.

deadstick35

http://mobile.nytimes.com/2015/05/06...high-bill.html

http://www.jems.com/articles/2015/05...-the-rise.html