Congratulations, Captain Lee and Captain Joe!

What does becoming Captain mean to you?

Captain Lee: Good things come to those who wait! Having spent all of my flying career in HEMS, a world where it is more about the quality of hours rather than the quantity, it has meant that I have had to persevere and be patient to get to this position.

Captain Joe: Becoming captain is a real milestone for me. Not just professionally, but personally too. It represents years of training, experience and teamwork coming together. For me, it’s also about the trust of my colleagues, my organisation, and the patients we’re here to help. It’s a huge privilege to lead a crew whose focus is saving lives.

How long have you been a pilot?

Captain Lee: I started to train for my private pilot’s licence in an R22 back in 2012 whilst still working in finance in the city.

Captain Joe: I’ve been flying for around a decade now, and it still excites me every time I take off. I’ve been lucky enough to fly in different roles over my career, but nothing quite compares to the purpose and intricacy you feel in HEMS.

How long have you been a HEMS pilot with EAAA?

Captain Lee: My first aviation job was as a Technical Crew Member with another air ambulance where I gained three years of vital experience in the world of HEMS. I then moved to Babcock seven years ago with EAAA where I cut my teeth as a co-pilot.

Captain Joe: I joined East Anglian Air Ambulance two years ago as a co-pilot, and from day one it’s felt like being part of a family. The pace, teamwork, and impact we have in the community makes it a unique place to work.

What’s involved in becoming a Captain?

Captain Lee: There are two routes to meeting the experience required to fly HEMS. As a minimum you either need over 1,000 hours as a captain of an aircraft of which 500 must be of a helicopter, or the route I took which was 1,000 hours as a co-pilot in HEMS of which 500 must be pilot in command under supervision. Typically, an EAAA pilot averages around 200 hours a year. Once you meet the criteria, there is a command board which consists of the companies training captains to discuss future captains. After selection you proceed to the command line training course which covers you both day, night and Night Vision Imaging Systems (NVIS). At the end of the course there is a final check ride.

Captain Joe: It’s a blend of experience, skill, and leadership. To qualify, you need a certain number of flying hours, particularly in multi-crew and HEMS operations by day and night as well as a strong track record in decision-making and handling mission complexities. There’s also rigorous training, line checks, and assessments to make sure you can lead safely in all conditions.

How has your role/responsibilities changed since becoming Captain?

Captain Lee: As the commander I now have overall responsibility for the aircraft and its occupants ensuring safe operation but also maximising efficiencies of the asset as well as hopefully passing on my experience to the new co-pilots who will be the future captains.

Captain Joe: As a Captain for EAAA, the ultimate responsibility for the safety of the aircraft, the crew and passengers rests with me. I still fly the same missions, but now I’m the one making the final operational decisions, coordinating the team, and ensuring we operate to the highest standards every single time. This also includes helping to developing new pilots that join the operation which is a great privilege.

What’s the most rewarding part about flying HEMS missions?

Captain Lee: Using the helicopter for exactly what it was designed to do – delivering people to areas where a plane simply cannot operate.  This combined with making a real difference to the outcomes of patients attended by EAAA makes me proud to be part of the team.

Captain Joe: Knowing that the work we do can change or even save a life in a matter of minutes. You see the direct impact of what you do, from getting someone to hospital faster to giving them the best possible care before they arrive. That’s an incredible position to be in, and it’s what keeps all of us coming back day after day.