Who wants an EMS gig in the USA?

[FerrariFlyer]

It's started!

The US EMS industry has reached the point that they need foreign pilots to keep their industry flying. For Aussies, that means visas are on offer similar to what is offered to our fixed-wing brethren. Air Methods are the first organisation to introduce this scheme and they won't be the last.

https://careers-airmethods.icims.com/jo ... rogram/job

[Little Bird]

It’s about time. Gonna be tough to commute on a 7/7 though.
I’ve heard North Memorial in MN also might do something similar but it’s not advertised.

[skypig]

If they get too desperate, they may have to even improve pay and conditions!! Radical I know.

The link outlines their extensive requirements. But doesn’t mention remuneration.

[FerrariFlyer]

Pay and conditions have improved in recent years as the airlines absorbed a lot of guys from the rotary world with various programs to recognise experience and training and facilitate their transition to the fixed-wing world.

Nowadays, sign-on bonuses are offered from $15k - $70k USD, pay range of $90k - 140k USD, equal time and in some cases retention bonuses and geographic modifiers to boost pay. To convert to AUD, multiply by 1.53%.

For Aussies, EB2 and EB3 visas on offer. Degrees not required despite the advertising.

Overall, good packages. Be a great adventure if it suits your circumstances.

Take a look below.....some 520 plus gigs available for heli pilots in the USA:

https://www.jsfirm.com/helicopter+pilot+jobs

[pohm1]

Pay and conditions might have improved, but the safety record of US EMS hasn’t. It’s one of the most accident prone sectors of rotary.

[Ogaff47]

Pay and conditions might have improved, but the safety record of US EMS hasn’t. It’s one of the most accident prone sectors of rotary.

Do you have any empherical data to support this statement?

[pohm1]

https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news ... ident-rate

[Little Bird]

Here’s Air Methods’ current CBA found in this link
http://haapilots.com/viewtopic.php?t=733
Starting pay is US$82900-93251 with pool pilots receiving 110% ACCRA
Sign on bonus US$15000

[Ogaff47]

https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news ... ident-rate

There's a lot of hyperbole around this topic. The truth of the matter is that EMS Helicopters fly IMC, and at night, to unimproved locations. These are flight profiles that, should an accident happen, will likely be fatal. This doesn't mean that EMS Helicopters crash twice as much, or are twice as dangerous, as other sectors; that's just not true.

This tool will display all fatal 135 accidents (using the word string Air Medical) will give you the results, but they're strikingly low.
https://www.ntsb.gov/Pages/AviationQueryv2.aspx

I will note that this doesn't include dual purpose aircraft like local, state, and federal agencies tasked with search and rescues (Police, Military, etc.) but strictly EMS, which is the current topic.

[FerrariFlyer]

Here’s Air Methods’ current CBA found in this link
http://haapilots.com/viewtopic.php?t=733
Starting pay is US$82900-93251 with pool pilots receiving 110% ACCRA
Sign on bonus US$15000

What does the term ACCRA stand for or mean?

[Little Bird]

Here’s Air Methods’ current CBA found in this link
http://haapilots.com/viewtopic.php?t=733
Starting pay is US$82900-93251 with pool pilots receiving 110% ACCRA
Sign on bonus US$15000

What does the term ACCRA stand for or mean?

Cost of living adjustment
https://www.investopedia.com/terms/a/ac ... x-coli.asp

[Yankee]

The majority of these jobs are in places no one wants to live.
They also pay the least. Did 7 years EMS in the US, left the industry earlier this year and wishing I’d left long before.

It can be a toxic environment… you’ll have to be somewhat proficient on instruments (instrument endorsement required for all operators).

You will start out in the high 80’s base pay. Work over is 1.5 x base rate. 7 and 7 schedule rotating days and nights.

There are really only two main operators,
GMR with subsidiaries Med trans, eagle med, air Evac lifeteam and reach.

And Airmethods who has a couple tour operators as subsidiaries.

PHI and Metro are smaller operators.

[havick]

Yankee, just out of curiosity what industry did you end up making the change to?