Discover a day in the life of Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance pilots. Unit Chief Pilot, Mario, shares how our aviation team stays mission-ready with meticulous pre-flight checks, weight and balance planning, and seamless shift handovers.

Inside the DSAA Aviation Team: A Day in the Life

The Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance (DSAA) aviation team currently work a two-shift pattern: the day shift runs from 0700 - 1600 and the late shift from 1600 - 0200. The pilots join their clinical colleagues at 0700 for the start of the day and initially we go our separate ways to complete the clinical and aviation preparations. This ensures that all operational requirements are met, allow us to declare online readiness by 0730.

Each crew consists of two pilots, so we divide up our tasks. The co-pilot initially applies external power to the aircraft to allow them to check vital systems, including external lighting and takes a fuel sample to check for any contamination. Their next job is to check that our fuel bowser is serviceable and that its contents are good to use.

Meanwhile, the aircraft captain reviews any handover notes from the previous crew and examines the aircraft’s technical log, which includes details such as the current amount of fuel being carried and the time remaining until the next scheduled maintenance.

The Importance of Weight and Balance in Helicopter Operations

An electronic weight and balance sheet is then prepared. This uses the highest forecast outside air temperature and lowest atmospheric pressure to calculate the maximum take-off weight of the helicopter for different scenarios. This is mandatory and a key enabler for flight planning in terms of the balance between the fuel we can carry, and the number of people we can take on board.

Pre-Flight Checks: Ensuring Safety Before Every Mission

Next comes a full pre-flight inspection of the aircraft, during which we check for anything unusual, such as fuel or oil leaks, damaged or loose panels and other visible defects. The crew from the previous shift will have prepared the helicopter for the inspection before going off shift by opening panels and placing work platforms in place, so making it a lot easier. Once we have loaded our flight equipment onto the helicopter, it’s time for the most difficult part of the shift, pushing the helicopter out of the hangar onto the helipad. The manoeuvre is similar in concept to reversing a trailer down a narrow country lane, a skill that should come with practice, but one that seems to elude me after eight years of trying!

At around 0730, we regroup with the clinicians in the Operations Room for the shift brief. This begins with key aviation updates, including weather conditions, local hazards and the serviceability status of the aircraft. It then moves on to cover the relevant clinical aspects and confirmation that all the necessary checks have been completed. Importantly, we also try to make time for a quick cup of tea, since there’s no telling when the next opportunity might arise once the shift gets underway.

We are still able to be tasked between 0700 - 0730. If a call comes in during this window, a decision must be made on whether the clinicians deploy by car, or they wait until the aircraft is ready and the crew briefing completed.

Daily Duties Beyond Flying: Training and Maintenance at Base

Immediately after the briefing, the pilots return to the aircraft to perform a fresh water rinse of the compressor at the front of each engine. This is necessary because the compressor blades can become contaminated with salt and dirt, which can degrade engine performance if not regularly cleaned. The rinse involves spraying water into each engine intake while the engine is motored. Once the rinse is complete, both engines are started to dry them out, and a power assurance check is carried out to confirm that each engine is performing as expected. At this stage, the full start checklist is completed, enabling us to carry out a quick start later, saving valuable seconds when responding to a call.

Then there is hopefully some time for breakfast…

While waiting for a call, there is always plenty to do around the base. We have a schedule of daily, weekly, monthly tasks, that are assigned to the duty crew. For example, Thursday is wash day for ‘Peggy’, where we clean off accumulated insects, plus the tail section always needs a good clean due to sooty deposits from the engine exhausts. When those jobs are done, there is usually some aviation-related training that is required to keep the pilots current. Although we are not clinically trained, we can help set up some of the equipment at scene such as the warmer for blood products, so we regularly practise doing this.

Seamless Shift Handover: How We Stay Mission-Ready

Before we know it, it’s 1530 and time to prepare for the 1600 shift handover. We brief the oncoming pilots, while the clinicians conduct their own handover. The new crew then come together for their own shift briefing, ensuring minimal delay in the event of a call during the handover period.