Meet the Team: Pilot, Mark Holmes

Donate

Donate to help save lives

As a charity we rely on your generosity to keep us flying, please donate whatever you can today. Every penny raised really does help us to reach people in their moment of need. Thank you.

Donate

At Essex & Herts Air Ambulance (EHAAT), our team is made up of dedicated professionals who work together to provide life-saving care. In this Q&A, we introduce you to Mark Holmes, one of our experienced HEMS pilots, who shares his journey, passion, and insights into his role.

How long have you been a pilot, and when did you qualify?
I gained my private pilot’s licence (Helicopters) in 1996—29 years ago now!

How long have you been a HEMS pilot?
I have been a HEMS (Helicopter Emergency Medical Service) pilot for 10 years.

How long have you worked at EHAAT?
I have worked at EHAAT for the same amount of time—10 years. I originally flew the MD902 and now pilot the AW169. I still remember my first mission, which was 5th December 2014, where we helped a patient in Ipswich and transported them to Addenbrooks hospital.

What inspired you to become a pilot?
I’ve wanted to be a helicopter pilot for as long as I can remember! It’s been a dream for so long that I can’t even recall what first inspired me. Ultimately, I chose the HEMS world because I can’t think of a better use for a helicopter than to help people and save lives. In my opinion, we use helicopters exactly for what they were designed for.

What’s it like being a HEMS pilot?
Every day is unique—I never know where I’ll be going or who I’ll be meeting. It’s an unpredictable but incredibly rewarding job. I work alongside great pilots and an exceptional medical crew. Without each other, we wouldn’t be able to do what we do.

How do pilots and clinicians work together?
We are a tight-knit team. Pilots assist the medical crew as much as possible on scene, and in turn, the medical crew helps pilots while flying by keeping an eye out for other aircraft. We spend a lot of time together, and it’s always a pleasure to be part of this team.

Mark’s dedication and expertise are a vital part of what makes EHAAT’s service possible. Stay tuned for more Meet the Team features as we introduce you to the incredible people behind our life-saving mission!

Back To Blogs