Jim spent 14 years in Australian Army aviation culminating with overseeing the Australian Chinook helicopter fleet and training school. He moved to the UK to join the Royal Air Force (RAF) for seven years as a helicopter instructor, before returning to flying Chinooks operationally.
After leaving the RAF, he was employed qualifying British Army pilots as a civilian instructor and then, prior to joining EAAA, he was employed flying for the National Police Air Service for six years as a Base Senior Pilot, Touring Pilot and Line Training Captain.
Captain Jim says, “I had some experience with providing medical support in the military and police. In Australia, we provided medevac for major military exercises and significant events, such as the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting. Whilst flying in the remote areas of Papua New Guinea, our crew were able to save the life of local lady and baby following birthing difficulties.”
Whilst flying for the RAF and deployment to Afghanistan, Captain Jim says he was honoured to be part of the Medical Emergency Response Team (MERT) providing life-saving medical support to the military and local Afghan people. Having retired from Police flying last year, Jim says that EAAA was the next logical step to continue to contribute and enable critical life-saving support to the British community.
Captain Jim adds, “I enjoy working with such a dedicated team of medical professionals striving to provide the best critical care to injured and seriously ill people in the region as possible. It is so rewarding being able to deliver our medical team, equipment and resources quickly and safely, and if needed, take patients to even better facilities and care at major treatment centres. The urgency and importance and flying difficult conditions to land in unknown and varied landings is tremendously exciting.”
Outside of flying, Jim enjoys visiting art exhibitions and is a member of the Tate Gallery. He is also an avid runner and traveller and has completed over 120 marathons and ultra marathons in the UK, Europe and Australasia. He is also a qualified military and civilian diving supervisor and is still active in the RAF as a pilot providing flying experience for Air Cadets on small Grob aeroplanes.