As expected, no two days are the same for our air ambulance crew. In order to operate safely and effectively there are rigorous checks and procedures that are carried out during every shift, with every crew member performing a vital role.
The first shift of the day starts at 7.00am. The pilot’s first task will be to go to the office to check the handover book, pilot log and notices to airmen (NOTAMS)... Read more
The team then come together for a briefing. This covers both the medical and aviation side of operations... Read more
Assuming the team have not been tasked to an incident, simulated exercises take place throughout the day... Read more
When our team receive a call from the Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) desk, the dispatcher will explain the nature of the incident (as it has been reported) and provides a grid reference to follow... Read more
We operate as a single pilot operation, which means that our clinical team are trained as technical crew members... Read more
The pilot’s aim is to find the closest and safest landing site to where the incident is... Read more
When the crew arrive back to our Henstridge airbase, their first priority is to ensure they are ready for the next mission... Read more
During the shift changeover period, the day crew and the late crew meet in the briefing room to complete a structured aviation and clinical handover... Read more
At night we operate with an extra practitioner whose main role is to act as a technical crew member, supporting the pilot with navigation, reading out heights, speeds and rates of descent, as well as assisting with general awareness... Read more
At the end of the late shift, the crew will bring Pegasus back into the hangar... Read more