Aircrewmen

Captain Brad Hanley and aircrewman Pete McDonell

The aircrewman is responsible for operating the winch in rescue situations and assisting the pilot with navigation and communications while the helicopter is operational. He is also responsible for the safety of any passengers on board the aircraft and securing the aircraft and equipment.

Snowy Hydro SouthCare has three full-time aircrewmen:

  • Glenn Columbine
  • Jerry Scott
  • Wayne Trent

Aircrewman Profile: Jerry Scott

Jerry Scott began his career as a Ground Handler in the Army, working with Black Hawk Helicopters. During his 12 years with the Army, he worked his way up to Loadmaster and gained the 500 hours of flying experience needed to work with Snowy Hydro SouthCare. It was a fast-paced environment and required attention to detail, often in very stressful situations. As Jerry puts it, "In the army, there is a lot of fast-low flying at night with a purpose to race in, drop people off and get out as soon as possible."After his time with the Army, Jerry decided to take a vastly different route and went back to school to earn his teaching degree. He spent nine years as a PE Teacher in Perth before he was, "bitten by the flying bug again," and decided to become an Aircrewman for Snowy Hydro SouthCare.

Jerry really enjoys working for the Service because, "You can say that you've helped people…I really got that feeling from teaching also." The only downside according to Jerry is when you've, "just put the BBQ on, with all the food all out…and then the phone will ring for a mission. If it disturbs the BBQ," says Jerry with a smile, "then it can't be good."

In terms of his daily work, Jerry spends each 24-hour shift readying the helicopter for any flights it may take during the day. Then, when the Service is tasked to a mission, he jumps aboard the helicopter with the rest of the crew to help direct the pilot to a safe landing spot or operates the winch in situations where landing is not possible.

Aircrewman Jerry ScottAs Jerry puts it, "At a certain point in the mission the pilot will say, 'You have the con,' as in control of the aircraft. From that point on you are directing the vehicle by telling the pilot what to do and where to go. While attached to your harness, you have the freedom to move to both sides of the aircraft, lie down, look under and so forth…You can't rush into anything. You've got to have a good look at everything. You can't put the aircraft or the crew in any danger."

In addition to his work with the Service, Jerry relief teaches at Canberra Grammer School during his days off, enjoys bushwalking with his two dogs and is a landscape painter. As a fairly new crew member with the Service, Jerry is pleasantly surprised with the amount of community support there is." As he puts it, "It is nice to know there are people out there that see the value in the Service because every community needs a rescue helicopter within easy reach."