New role for record-breaking air ambulance pilot
Devon Air Ambulance Trust (DAAT) reports that the helicopter pilot with the longest service record and the most mission flights with a single UK air ambulance helicopter charity is to use his knowledge and experience to become the Trust’s safety manager.
Image: DAAT flight operations director Ian Payne (left) makes a presentation to Rob Mackie (DAAT)
Devon Air Ambulance Trust (DAAT) reports that the helicopter pilot with the longest service record and the most mission flights with a single UK air ambulance helicopter charity is to use his knowledge and experience to become the Trust’s safety manager.
Captain Rob Mackie has flown with DAAT for 23 years, recording nearly 8,000 missions. As he approached his 60th birthday, however, regulations demanded he gave up single pilot flying. Heléna Holt, CEO of DAAT, commented: “Thankfully, we will not be saying goodbye to Rob. When we were awarded our own Air Operating Certificate (AOC) last year, Rob took on the role of safety manager and played an integral part in setting up our safety management systems. It was a challenging time for all the team as Devon Air Ambulance Trading Company Limited (DAATCL) were the first Air Ambulance to have developed and been awarded an AOC fully compliant with the new EASA regulations.” Holt added that Mackie will continue in this role and will oversee the surveying of all the community helipads needed to introduce night flying next winter.
Former Army pilot and Falklands War veteran Mackie said: “It will take some adjusting to give up flying after a lifetime in the pilot’s seat, but what better way to do so than continue with DAAT in a highly significant role.”