Jordi (34) has the dream job of every young pilot. But how did he get there, and what advice does he have for aspiring pilots? W hen we ask our pilot students, “What is your dream job?” an overwhelming majority answer HEMS (Helicopter Emergency Medical Service), SAR (Search and Rescue), or air ambulance. It’s perhaps not so surprising. For many, the idea of combining their dream job in the cockpit with meaningful, life-saving work is incredibly appealing. One person who has achieved his dream job is 34-year-old Jordi Kuipers from the Netherlands. Here, he shares his story and offers valuable tips to future students who dream of following in his footsteps. What first inspired you to become a pilot? Like most of us it started as a kid. I remember being around 8 years young when my parents took the family on a holiday trip to the Canary islands. It was the first time I ever came in contact with aviation. My memories don’t particular- ly know how but somehow I ended up being invited in the cockpit during flight (yes it was in a time this was still normal and accepted). First thing that came up to my mind; ‘’I want to be in that seat Advice from the HEMS Pilot: Choose your flight school wisely
grow slowly but steady, expanding train- ing courses, fleets, facility and people. EHC has always been the fundament of my career, investing in me as a pilot so I could go further and the company could continue to grow. They believed in their people and they still do to date! Even though EHC has become way bigger since I started, it still feels like a small group of likeminded and passionate people who want to perform art their best with a friend/family atmosphere. What was the path that led you to where you are today? The market is always adapting based on economy and needs. I think advise from my experience does not comply to the market we know today. However If you consider becoming a professional pilot yourself, choose the right flying school is something you need to investigate very well, don’t take it to light. It will be the start of your network and the fundament of your career, choose it wisely!
when I grow up’’. Once the interest for aviation grew, I got hooked on an old German series called ‘’117’’. It was about a medical helicopter crew doing all kinds of rescue missions. That is basically what got me into helicopters with that particularly goal as well. When did you decide to go for it and which steps did you take? During school I was always figuring out ways to actual see where I needed to go. Eventually my internship guided me towards a small helicopter company in Sweden. I was beyond excited being in the environment of an operational hel- icopter operator doing especially train- ing. I combined the studies by getting into class and following an integrated course which I finished in 2013. Times were kind off bad, end of reces- sion, to many qualified pilots jet here I was with my 140 hours ready to get after it. I felt like I applied to every company which I could find on the internet and of course the ones I could find in The Netherlands. I got invited by on of the owners of EHC to grab a coffee, did that again every time I was back home. Even though they operated not much more than one or two Robinson helicopters for a scenic flight here and there I actually felt welcome in the first time. I started doing a kind of stuff, renovating the coffee corner, painted walls, helped as ground crew etc. Things moves fast forward since the company started to
Jordi Kuipers (34) • M arried, father of two (3 and 1 years old) • H obbies: Sports tFlying HEMS in Netherlands
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