Line Hems Pilot

Job title: Line HEMS Pilot - First Officer (Based at North Weald)

Location: North Weald

Reporting to: Chief Pilot

**Salary**: Circa £60,000 per annum based on qualifications & relevant experience

Working pattern
- As required by Chief Pilot and the EHAAT roster, this will be based upon EHAAT’s use of the HEMS FTL variation of 12-hour shifts (0830-2030 at North Weald and 0700-1900 at Earls Colne) to achieve 365 days a year operational coverage. All pilots will be required to conform to the relevant Flight Time Limitations regulations and will have several duty days each year for training and checking activities.
- Touring pilots will be rostered with a minimum of 28 days' notice and will work 182 days per year (less leave taken), consisting of up to 6 duty days including up to 4 12-hour shifts and positioning days as appropriate. This pattern will result in average working hours equivalent to approx. 40 hours per week.

About us:
Essex & Herts Air Ambulance, unlike NHS emergency services, is a charity. The free life-saving service is provided 24/7 by helicopters and by rapid response vehicles.

Each critical care team consists of a pilot and co-pilot, a pre-hospital care doctor and a critical care paramedic.

They can be rushed to the scene with life-saving support equipment to deliver advanced clinical care, usually only available in the hospital emergency department.

Once stabilised, the patient will be conveyed to the most appropriate hospital by air or land.

Without access to National Lottery funding and with only limited support from Government, we rely upon the generosity and goodwill of the people and businesses of Essex and Hertfordshire to remain operational and keep saving lives we can’t fly without you

About the Aviation Team:
As part of our programme to become an independent operator with its own Air Operator Certificate, from mid-November 2025, EHAAT will directly employ pilots flying our two AW169 helicopters from our North Weald and Earls Colne airbases. In addition to our management pilots, we’re excited to be recruiting more pilots to build a resilient and supportive team - one that will enable us to maintain four pilots working 12-hour shifts, 365 days a year.

To make this happen, we’ll continue to rely on a combination of locally based pilots—who live within 45 minutes of one or both bases—and touring pilots. Our touring pilots will play a vital role in covering for leave, sickness, and other absences, and when they’re not local to our bases, EHAAT will cover the cost of accommodating them near their place of duty in line with FTL regulations. We’ll also ensure that touring pilots have the time and support they need to position themselves before their duties begin.

At EHAAT, we’re deeply committed to recruiting, developing, and keeping a strong, close-knit group of pilots who are essential to our mission: providing first-class pre-hospital emergency medical care to the people of Essex, Hertfordshire, and beyond.

Job purpose:
This role requires an experienced AW169 co-pilot to be part of the North Weald HEMS team.

Summary of duties and responsibilities:

- As a pilot, to ensure all flying-related tasks are carried out in a safe and efficient manner in accordance with the EHAAT Air Operations Manual in conjunction with all relevant and applicable regulations as laid down by law and as amended.
- As a pilot, be meticulous in ensuring high standards of personal currency and proficiency regarding professional performance and to licensing, medical certification, proficiency checks, line checks and other training requirements and the associated documentation of such.
- As a HEMS crew member. demonstrate confidentiality, discretion and sensitivity in all aspects of the role, allied to a strong focus on safety and appropriate actions to participate, develop and promote appropriate safety attitudes and a true Just Culture.
- As an EHAAT employee, to conduct all duties with diligence and professionalism, always acting in accordance with EHAAT values and seeking out opportunities for continuous professional development for yourself and your colleagues.
- As an EHAAT team member, being proactive with colleagues, partner organisations, suppliers and the public to communicate the mission of EHAAT and its operations.
- Fully comply with the numerous and extensive specific responsibilities of the role as detailed in regulation, working closely with flight crew and HEMS crew members to achieve the mission within the strict bounds of safety, compliance and efficiency.
- Demonstrate exemplary performance and standards in the air and on the ground, professionally and personally, setting a fine example to less experienced operators and assisting in the development of less senior pilot and crew colleagues as appropriate.
- As one of the pilot team and as directed by the Chief Pilot, perform specific additional duties to support the smooth running of the EHAAT HEMS air operations.
- From time to time,