HEMS Commander (Air Ambulance Charity Kent Surrey Sussex)

Job Description

About the Company Gama Aviation is a highly diverse business that offers much more than its name might suggest. As well as flying, the company saves lives, provides mission-critical intelligence and builds systems that deliver decisive advantage. With operations in the UK, Jersey, Europe and the Middle East, a career with Gama can offer travel, personal growth and long-term progression in a fast-paced, dynamic service industry. About the Charity Air Ambulance Charity Kent Surrey Sussex (KSS) is a world leader in Helicopter Emergency Medical Services (HEMS), delivering critical care with innovation and expertise. Operating 24/7, 365 days a year, it costs £15.2M annually to keep the service running, with 86% of the funding raised through the generosity of KSS supporters. KSS serves a population of 4.8M people plus a transient population of 90M people, and has been tasked with over 38,000 incidents over the last 30 years. Its fleet of helicopters and rapid response vehicles ensures that specialist doctors and paramedics can reach patients quickly, providing life-saving care in crucial moments before they reach hospital. By joining Gama Aviation in support of KSS you become part of a dedicated, passionate team working to save lives across Kent, Surrey and Sussex. Role Overview Gama Aviation is seeking skilled and quick-thinking HEMS Commanders to join its Special Mission Flight Crew for charity partner Air Ambulance Charity Kent Surrey Sussex (KSS). As HEMS Commander you will contribute directly to life-saving missions as part of a multi-pilot operation flying AW169 helicopters across Kent, Surrey and Sussex, day and night. This is far more than a flying role — it is a chance to make a real difference at the heart of life-saving missions for a charity known for its cutting-edge approach to HEMS. Flying in this fast-paced and challenging environment offers professional development as well as unmatched job satisfaction. The company is looking for flexible and committed individuals who are enthusiastic about delivering world-class emergency services. Gama Aviation supports the Armed Forces Community. The company is a signatory of the Armed Forces Covenant and holds a Silver Award under the Ministry of Defence Employer Recognition Scheme. It actively supports military personnel transitioning into civilian careers and will fully fund and coordinate the conversion of military licences to their civilian equivalent for successful candidates. Working hours: rostered basis. Employment type: full-time (Air division). Key Responsibilities Provide safe, compliant and efficient flight operations in support of HEMS missions Carry out company duties with diligence and professionalism, operating in accordance with company operations manuals and other regulatory requirements Engage actively with the company safety reporting scheme, take a proactive stance on risk management and report any events that may contribute to continual safety improvement Display kindness and professionalism as a representative of the company, engaging actively with charity partners and other industry stakeholders Licences & Qualifications Civilian candidates: current UK CAA Part-FCL ATPL(H), or CPL(H) with ATPL(H) theoretical exams, plus current UK CAA IR(H) and current UK CAA Class 1 Medical Military candidates: current Qualified Military Pilot (Helicopters) with unrestricted Green Instrument Rating (Helicopters), plus in-validity ATPL(H) theoretical exams and current UK CAA Class 1 Medical For the right candidate who does not hold ATPL(H) theoretical exams and/or a current UK CAA Class 1 Medical, Gama will fully fund and coordinate the pathway to achieve these Minimum Level 4 English language proficiency EU / UK driving licence Right to live and work in the UK Willingness to work on a rostered basis, including night shifts Advantageous: MCC qualification or equivalent military credit — highly desirable, but can be provided for the successful candidate Advantageous: relevant type rating Experience Minimum 1,000 hours as PIC of aircraft, of which 500 hours as PIC on helicopters; or Minimum 1,000 hours as co-pilot in HEMS operations, of which 500 hours as PICUS and 100 hours as PIC of helicopters Minimum 500 hours operating experience on helicopters, gained in an operational environment similar to the intended operation Minimum 20 hours VMC at night as PIC Additional Requirements Advantageous: 2,000 hours total flight time Advantageous: NVG experience What We Offer Competitive salary and excellent benefits Unique and fulfilling flying experience within a forward-thinking aviation business Opportunities for personal and professional development in a challenging yet supportive environment Type rating and HEMS/NVIS training included Full support for military transition, including funded licence conversion to a civilian licence Competitive salary Competitive group pension scheme Comprehensive life assurance (subject to insurance underwriting) Comprehensive income protection (subject to insurance underwriting) Comprehensive travel insurance (subject to insurance underwriting) Comprehensive private healthcare after successfully passing probation (subject to insurance underwriting) Two paid volunteering days each calendar year, subject to line manager approval Investment in training, qualifications and professional development Additional Information Employment type: full-time. Due to the volume of applications received, only candidates selected for interview will be contacted; if you do not hear back within 20 working days your application has been unsuccessful on this occasion.

Requirements

• Provide safe, compliant and efficient flight operations in support of HEMS missions
• Carry out company duties with diligence and professionalism, operating in accordance with company operations manuals and other regulatory requirements
• Engage actively with the company safety reporting scheme, take a proactive stance on risk management and report any events that may contribute to continual safety improvement
• Display kindness and professionalism as a representative of the company, engaging actively with charity partners and other industry stakeholders
• Civilian candidates: current UK CAA Part-FCL ATPL(H), or CPL(H) with ATPL(H) theoretical exams, plus current UK CAA IR(H) and current UK CAA Class 1 Medical
• Military candidates: current Qualified Military Pilot (Helicopters) with unrestricted Green Instrument Rating (Helicopters), plus in-validity ATPL(H) theoretical exams and current UK CAA Class 1 Medical
• For the right candidate who does not hold ATPL(H) theoretical exams and/or a current UK CAA Class 1 Medical, Gama will fully fund and coordinate the pathway to achieve these
• Minimum Level 4 English language proficiency
• EU / UK driving licence
• Right to live and work in the UK
• Willingness to work on a rostered basis, including night shifts
• Advantageous: MCC qualification or equivalent military credit — highly desirable, but can be provided for the successful candidate
• Advantageous: relevant type rating
• Minimum 1,000 hours as PIC of aircraft, of which 500 hours as PIC on helicopters; or
• Minimum 1,000 hours as co-pilot in HEMS operations, of which 500 hours as PICUS and 100 hours as PIC of helicopters
• Minimum 500 hours operating experience on helicopters, gained in an operational environment similar to the intended operation
• Minimum 20 hours VMC at night as PIC
• Advantageous: 2,000 hours total flight time
• Advantageous: NVG experience
• Unique and fulfilling flying experience within a forward-thinking aviation business
• Opportunities for personal and professional development in a challenging yet supportive environment
• Type rating and HEMS/NVIS training included
• Full support for military transition, including funded licence conversion to a civilian licence
• Two paid volunteering days each calendar year, subject to line manager approval
• Investment in training, qualifications and professional development

Benefits

• Competitive salary and excellent benefits
• Competitive salary
• Competitive group pension scheme
• Comprehensive life assurance (subject to insurance underwriting)
• Comprehensive income protection (subject to insurance underwriting)
• Comprehensive travel insurance (subject to insurance underwriting)
• Comprehensive private healthcare after successfully passing probation (subject to insurance underwriting)