About Us....
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Air Search is a voluntary organisation made up of Pilots, Observers and Ground Crew who donate their time and aircraft to the Emergency Services, HM CoastGuard, local authorities and Resilience Forums, to provide eyes in the sky, aerial reconnaissance and photography for a number of purposes. We do not partake in Police matters, other than on a Neighborhood Watch basis from the air or to aid in the protection & preservation of life. i.e assist in aerial search for vulnerable or missing persons.
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Why Airsearch?
Due to these times of austerity, military Search and Rescue (SAR) as well as Police helicopter resources are now spread very thinly across the country. These Emergency Services aircraft are also extremely costly to buy and operate and any increase to the very few still operating would be at a huge cost to the taxpayer.
Air Search freely acknowledges that it doesn’t have the equipment, skills or training to carry out the tasks regularly undertaken by the professional and military emergency services. We are not a primary emergency rescue service, but could be considered a secondary responder under the Civil Contingencies Act 2004. Air Search can provide a much cheaper resource for simple search and observation tasks, using local knowledge and aircraft that are perfectly adequate for this role. Our aircraft are radio equipped and have GPS navigation systems to help pinpoint locations. |
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What we do...
Our primary function is to provide 'Eyes in the Sky' to help the Emergency Services and local authorities fulfill their humanitarian, community or statutory role. We work with the Emergency Services, HM CoastGuard, local authorities and Resilience Forums, Lowland Search and Rescue Teams, the RNLI, Environment Agency, Maritime Volunteer Service and many other major professional and voluntary agencies. We have working agreements with a number of these organisations. Air Search volunteers are just ordinary people who want to do something useful while enjoying their flying, to put something back into the community.
Our aircraft include fixed wing aircraft, rotary wing aircraft (helicopters and autogyros) and microlights.
We do not participate in "Rescues" in terms of conventional SAR (Search & Rescue). We do not hoist people from sinking ships or land to rescue them. We are strictly governed by the CAA (Civil Aviation Authority); we must abide by the law and Air Navigation Order at all times.
We are not trying to interfere and are not "wannabes", and we are most certainly not a replacement for the highly skilled and immensely well trained Police, Air Ambulances, RAF, Navy or HM Coastguard SAR teams, although they are aware of our existence and acknowledge the assistance we try to offer.
We will launch and assist in locating and reporting back to the relevant authorities, thus saving time.
We can also provide photo reconnaissance of areas to enable local authorities to pro-actively plan for a major public event (crowd placement, car park, highway & infrastructure issues) or plan for any potential environmental problems. We can also fly reactively upon request to provide aid and support after major incidents of human cause or natural disasters, (e.g floods, fire) etc to provide the emergency services or local authorities a birds eye view of the situation, thus providing them the key overview to make informed and planned strategic decisions.
Our pilots are holders of Private Pilots Licence (PPL) or higher. Our training and safety officers are airline pilots and have a wealth of expertise and knowledge. We also have pilots who are qualified flight instructors and have Commercial Pilots Licence (CPL), Instrument ratings, and Airline Transport Pilots Licence (ATPL) ratings.
We receive no funding from the government or any other source. We are not a registered charity, and deliberately do not apply for charity status as although our members do not consider themselves wealthy, we accept that aviation and plane ownership, in itself is not something everyone can afford these days. As such, we strongly believe that there are far more worthy causes out there that do need the public's money; Help For Heroes, Air Ambulances, Cancer Research etc. If we were a charity we could possibly divert that money away from these charities and we do not want that to happen.
We DO NOT accept payment from anyone for the flying services we provide (apart, perhaps to cover very minimal admin costs on the ground). The only funding we get is from our own wallets as we fund all our own activities from fuel, plane maintenance, travel expenses & equipment.
Although we accept that flying and plane ownership in itself is not something everyone can afford these days, we are by no way lottery winners who can fly all day, every day. We fly because we want to help people and put something back into the community.
Our aircraft include fixed wing aircraft, rotary wing aircraft (helicopters and autogyros) and microlights.
We do not participate in "Rescues" in terms of conventional SAR (Search & Rescue). We do not hoist people from sinking ships or land to rescue them. We are strictly governed by the CAA (Civil Aviation Authority); we must abide by the law and Air Navigation Order at all times.
We are not trying to interfere and are not "wannabes", and we are most certainly not a replacement for the highly skilled and immensely well trained Police, Air Ambulances, RAF, Navy or HM Coastguard SAR teams, although they are aware of our existence and acknowledge the assistance we try to offer.
We will launch and assist in locating and reporting back to the relevant authorities, thus saving time.
We can also provide photo reconnaissance of areas to enable local authorities to pro-actively plan for a major public event (crowd placement, car park, highway & infrastructure issues) or plan for any potential environmental problems. We can also fly reactively upon request to provide aid and support after major incidents of human cause or natural disasters, (e.g floods, fire) etc to provide the emergency services or local authorities a birds eye view of the situation, thus providing them the key overview to make informed and planned strategic decisions.
Our pilots are holders of Private Pilots Licence (PPL) or higher. Our training and safety officers are airline pilots and have a wealth of expertise and knowledge. We also have pilots who are qualified flight instructors and have Commercial Pilots Licence (CPL), Instrument ratings, and Airline Transport Pilots Licence (ATPL) ratings.
We receive no funding from the government or any other source. We are not a registered charity, and deliberately do not apply for charity status as although our members do not consider themselves wealthy, we accept that aviation and plane ownership, in itself is not something everyone can afford these days. As such, we strongly believe that there are far more worthy causes out there that do need the public's money; Help For Heroes, Air Ambulances, Cancer Research etc. If we were a charity we could possibly divert that money away from these charities and we do not want that to happen.
We DO NOT accept payment from anyone for the flying services we provide (apart, perhaps to cover very minimal admin costs on the ground). The only funding we get is from our own wallets as we fund all our own activities from fuel, plane maintenance, travel expenses & equipment.
Although we accept that flying and plane ownership in itself is not something everyone can afford these days, we are by no way lottery winners who can fly all day, every day. We fly because we want to help people and put something back into the community.
- Search for missing and vulnerable persons
- Missing livestock, equipment and small vessels - Damage assessment following an environmental emergency - Priority transport for small, time critical items - Air to ground imagery following serious flooding or fires - Air support for inshore lifeboats, mountain and lowland rescue teams - Aerial inspection of critical / vulnerable infrastructure - Traffic, crowd & hazard monitoring at pre-planned events - Assisting organisers plan an event by taking aerial imagery of the planned location to enable suitable contingencies and preparation of all the factors to be taken into consideration:- Traffic management issues, highway access routes, placement of participants, infrastructure issues, environmental considerations. - Information on emergency vehicle access |
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Who's involved...
Pilots
Pilots and their aircraft are the resources that provide the ‘eyes in the sky’ when supporting the emergency services on the ground. We need as many pilots and aircraft as possible. We have all types including microlight (flexwing/3 axis), light aircraft GA, helicopters & gyroplanes which are all suitable for the type of work we do. First and foremost, Air Search aims to ensure safe operation and to continue its zero accident performance history. Pilots must demonstrate safe and competent flying and a check on their CAA licence will be conducted prior to being considered for a role as pilot in command. During normal flying they keep a watch and report any observed incidents to air traffic control. Air Search has confirmed with the CAA that its activities are not of a commercial nature, but rather of a private nature and that they are permitted to be carried out by NPPL/PPL/CPL holders. As such all AirSearch flights are bound by current air law (the ANO, Air Navigation Order) and individual licence privileges; it is the Pilot’s responsibility to ensure each flight is lawful and it is at the pilot’s risk. This means that Air Search Pilots are never obliged to respond – it is purely voluntary and up to the pilot to decide whether to fly or not.
Air Search work is a good environment for pilots to learn new skills in our training syllabus whilst adding hours to their logbook for a worthy and purposeful cause - Not just flying around to keep current for no reason other than to get minimum required hours in. They are taught low level, slow speed flying techniques, how to fly many different search patterns, team work with observers and much more.
N.B. Pilots must have access to an aircraft in order to fly. Either by sole ownership, joint ownership, or fly hire at an hourly rate. Air Search does not provide aircraft.
Pilots and their aircraft are the resources that provide the ‘eyes in the sky’ when supporting the emergency services on the ground. We need as many pilots and aircraft as possible. We have all types including microlight (flexwing/3 axis), light aircraft GA, helicopters & gyroplanes which are all suitable for the type of work we do. First and foremost, Air Search aims to ensure safe operation and to continue its zero accident performance history. Pilots must demonstrate safe and competent flying and a check on their CAA licence will be conducted prior to being considered for a role as pilot in command. During normal flying they keep a watch and report any observed incidents to air traffic control. Air Search has confirmed with the CAA that its activities are not of a commercial nature, but rather of a private nature and that they are permitted to be carried out by NPPL/PPL/CPL holders. As such all AirSearch flights are bound by current air law (the ANO, Air Navigation Order) and individual licence privileges; it is the Pilot’s responsibility to ensure each flight is lawful and it is at the pilot’s risk. This means that Air Search Pilots are never obliged to respond – it is purely voluntary and up to the pilot to decide whether to fly or not.
Air Search work is a good environment for pilots to learn new skills in our training syllabus whilst adding hours to their logbook for a worthy and purposeful cause - Not just flying around to keep current for no reason other than to get minimum required hours in. They are taught low level, slow speed flying techniques, how to fly many different search patterns, team work with observers and much more.
N.B. Pilots must have access to an aircraft in order to fly. Either by sole ownership, joint ownership, or fly hire at an hourly rate. Air Search does not provide aircraft.
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Observers
Air Search also recruits Observers who will fly with pilots. Observers do not need to have any formal qualification or PPL, but some flight experience and an understanding of general light aircraft environment and aircraft handling & dynamics are desirable, as is a keen interest in aviation.
The Observer will monitor the radio, provide navigation headings, interpret aviation charts, be aware of and visually monitor for other aircraft operating in the airspace. The Observer will direct the Pilot when on scene on how best to fly the aircraft to allow the best possible vantage to enable the Observer to take photographs or to keep a visual on the target to plot its co-ordinates or allow emergency services to hone in on the aircraft as a reference as it circles.
Observers will complete training in airfield operations and safety, aircraft familiarization and safety, basic navigation and radio procedure, learn and become competent in search patterns, team work with the Pilot & how to take high quality photographs from a cramped cockpit whilst doing 100 knots - No easy feat!!
N.B An interview will be conducted on the suitablity of an individual to perform the role of observer as this is a safety critical role
Air Search also recruits Observers who will fly with pilots. Observers do not need to have any formal qualification or PPL, but some flight experience and an understanding of general light aircraft environment and aircraft handling & dynamics are desirable, as is a keen interest in aviation.
The Observer will monitor the radio, provide navigation headings, interpret aviation charts, be aware of and visually monitor for other aircraft operating in the airspace. The Observer will direct the Pilot when on scene on how best to fly the aircraft to allow the best possible vantage to enable the Observer to take photographs or to keep a visual on the target to plot its co-ordinates or allow emergency services to hone in on the aircraft as a reference as it circles.
Observers will complete training in airfield operations and safety, aircraft familiarization and safety, basic navigation and radio procedure, learn and become competent in search patterns, team work with the Pilot & how to take high quality photographs from a cramped cockpit whilst doing 100 knots - No easy feat!!
N.B An interview will be conducted on the suitablity of an individual to perform the role of observer as this is a safety critical role
Ground Crew
Some people don't like flying or just like to remain on terra firma.....hard to believe...but true - But none the less still want to help out.
At Air Search we recognise this, and, this is where our Ground Crew come in. Marshaling and taxiing aircraft, liaising with airport operations, assisting in the preparation or hangerage of the aircraft, liaising with air traffic controllers, being positioned at the mobile base during a sortie to download and transmit information or pictures to the relevant agencies eagerly awaiting our photos or updates, helping to plan and deliver briefings, being the point of contact for liaising with emergency services or relevant authority during a tasking or exercise, attending public events to help promote the work of Air Search. Whatever it may be, there's something for everyone.
Some people don't like flying or just like to remain on terra firma.....hard to believe...but true - But none the less still want to help out.
At Air Search we recognise this, and, this is where our Ground Crew come in. Marshaling and taxiing aircraft, liaising with airport operations, assisting in the preparation or hangerage of the aircraft, liaising with air traffic controllers, being positioned at the mobile base during a sortie to download and transmit information or pictures to the relevant agencies eagerly awaiting our photos or updates, helping to plan and deliver briefings, being the point of contact for liaising with emergency services or relevant authority during a tasking or exercise, attending public events to help promote the work of Air Search. Whatever it may be, there's something for everyone.
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Who we look forIndividuals who operate safely, a high skill level and wide range of experience, familiarity with low and slow flying for aerial photography or airborne visual assessment is desirable.
A team spirit and good ability to communicate with ground support and Air Traffic Control functions within Air Search are also important. This is especially relevant in multi-aircraft searches or in situations where an aircraft needs to be in the air for a long period and has to be relieved by another Air Search aircraft. Affinity with IT systems and technology to work with an observer to email pictures is welcomed but Air Search can also help with training in this respect. If you come to us with the right attitude and approach we can train you in what you need to know. |
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Interested in Joining Us?
Think you've got what it takes to join the team? Have a few spare hours a month? Want to give something back to the community?
If you are interested in joining then please click the JOIN HERE button below and tell us a bit about yourself, your aircraft, equipment and other relevant experience you might have – whatever your background, your local knowledge when you fly will be of great value to us and those we serve. Once your registration has been received the coordinator of your local wing will contact you.
Air Search units are geographically organised into Wings, Counties and Groups. To see which unit operates in your area, have a look at where we are here. Some units are well developed and have many pilots – other units have only a few pilots. If there isn’t a wing close to you then maybe you'd like to form a new one. You could be a key factor in building a wing, raising awareness, exciting pilots and emergency services alike – you can play an important role by building the nationwide infrastructure Air Search has been striving to create over the years.
We are very underrepresented in the South-West and Midlands of the UK and are very keen to get pilots and observers from these areas to help plug the gaps in our national model.
If you are interested in joining then please click the JOIN HERE button below and tell us a bit about yourself, your aircraft, equipment and other relevant experience you might have – whatever your background, your local knowledge when you fly will be of great value to us and those we serve. Once your registration has been received the coordinator of your local wing will contact you.
Air Search units are geographically organised into Wings, Counties and Groups. To see which unit operates in your area, have a look at where we are here. Some units are well developed and have many pilots – other units have only a few pilots. If there isn’t a wing close to you then maybe you'd like to form a new one. You could be a key factor in building a wing, raising awareness, exciting pilots and emergency services alike – you can play an important role by building the nationwide infrastructure Air Search has been striving to create over the years.
We are very underrepresented in the South-West and Midlands of the UK and are very keen to get pilots and observers from these areas to help plug the gaps in our national model.