Head Office

AMS welcomes new Chair

The SA Red Cross Air Mercy Service Trust (AMS) is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Gideon Sam, the new Chairperson of the Board of Trustees. Mr. Sam is currently the President of the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) and also the Vice-President of the Commonwealth Games Federation.

“Taking over the chair of an organisation with such a great history and legacy is indeed an honour. My role is to take the organisation a couple of steps forward and asking those around me to do the same” Mr. Sam added.

Mr. Sam brings with him a wealth of knowledge spanning over three decades of not only sport involvement but also experience in the academic profession where he also played an integral role in leading delegations to improve the quality of education in South Africa. Mr. Sam takes over from Mr. Lwazi Mboyi who was appointed interim Chairman after Prof. Kovin Naidoo.

The SA Red Cross Air Mercy Service is a non-profit aero-medical rescue organization with bases in KwaZulu-Natal (Durban & Richards Bay) and the Western Cape (Cape Town & Oudtshoorn) that provides an air ambulance network, rural health outreach and emergency rescue service to metropolitan areas and remote rural communities. It is the mission of the AMS to contribute to the improvement in the quality of life of all communities, facilitate access to equitable and effective healthcare and the provision of aero-medical and other associated humanitarian services.

“Therefore, we look forward to the leadership role that Mr. Gideon Sam will play to lead us in providing an integrated national aero-medical service for the benefit of the people of our country”, said AMS CEO Dr. Philip Erasmus. 

Meet our team ...

Today we introduce an individual who is well travelled in the Western Cape. Martell Killian has been with the organisation for almost seven years and works in the Aviation Maintenance Organisation (AMO) Department. She is responsible for controlling the spares that is critical to keeping our aircraft serviceable. Here’s a look into her life …

Tell us about yourself: I was born in the 1980 in Mowbray. My primary school years was spent in Goodwood, Klawer, Paarl, Wellington (best place EVER. Then a little bit in Bredasdorp the last few years of high school I lived in Paarl and matriculated at Labori high school in 1999. In 2000 & 2001 I was part of Service Year for Christ. I completed my certificate in Secretarial Study at College in Cape Town and got married in 2003. I started in aviation during 2004 and I’m still here and never looked back.”

Were you in any other trade before? “I started at Starlite Aviation, where I did my training to become a PA. I moved away from the PA functions and started to do more of the training school and interacting with the students. After that I went to Base 4 where I was the receptionist for three years and moved to HELVIP that become Precision Aviation Helicopters (PAH). Here I learned more about maintenance and found great interest in it and loved every moment and the challenge that came with it. I completed a Stock Control course – I love the attention to detail.”

What's the best/worst thing to happen to you since you started working at AMS? “Worst - When my AMO Manager had his motor bike accident and when Johan Gill and his son passed away about few months after.  Best is we keeping AMS Vision & Mission high – Changing lives & Saving Lives.”

What do you do in your spare time? “Hehe, working moms, we use our spare time to play and cuddle with little ones; feeding the dog & cat. Making a mean fire to braai for the family and just live life.”

What is the one thing about you few people know?  “I would like to learn to play a guitar.”

What do you enjoy most about your job? “Making sure my Aviation Maintenance Engineers receives the spares to carry out work on the aircraft. My goal is to be as efficient as possible.”

If you could have dinner with five famous people from history, who would they be? “ Mother Teresa most definitely – humbly ministering;  Darlene Zschech – Gospel Singer;  Zola Budd – Athletics, Michael W Smith and Retief Burger.”

What was your first thought when you woke up this morning? “Coffee please.”

What has been the happiest day of your life?  “When my husband asked me to marry him. I asked are you sure lol? Mostly to be the mother of his two girls and his wife.”

What is your greatest indulgence? “Coffee, chocolates, wine & cheese. Coffee gives you a good start to the morning and through the day; chocolate because why not, wine is to smooth out the ending of life and cheese is just so good.”

What is the one thing, you can’t live without? “My Family.”

Best piece of advice anyone ever gave you? “Your name and surname walks in front of you.  Jou naam en van loop jou altyd voor-uit.”
What animal best represents you and why? “Staffie – if you look up the character you get
bold, Intelligent, loyal, affectionate, courageous, fearless & reliable.”

Any motto you live by? “Yesterday is GONE. Tomorrow has NOT YET COME. We only have TODAY”,
Mother Teresa.

Meet our team ...

Our staff member whom we feature today, does not only know how to fly; he also knows how to keep aircraft in working order. Donovan Kohl, Rotor Wing pilot based at our Cape Town operation has been with the organisation for almost ten years. With a wealth of knowledge and travelling experience here’s a look into his life …

Who is Donovan Kohl? “I was born in Salisbury, Rhodesia (or to be PC-Harare, Zimbabwe). I grew up in Tzaneen where I finished schooling at Merensky High School. The South African Air Force (SAAF) had me for the next ten years where I qualified as an Aircraft Mechanic. I left the SAAF as a Flight Engineer. Two short years after were spent in the employment of Eurocopter Southern Africa where I made acquaintance with AMS for the first time. Thereafter I managed to secure a position with Abu Dhabi Aviation and spent the next three years on contract all the while studying and funding a commercial pilot licence. I spent the following two years with CHC Helicopters in the Antarctic and Islands contract to service Antarctica – SANAP/SANAE, Marion Island, Gough Island and Tristan da Cunha. My final year with CHC was spent in Oranjemund on the NAMDEB off-shore diamond mining contract. In Jan 2008 I joined the AMS team and here we are almost ten years later.”

Were you in any other trade before? “I converted my SAAF qualification to civilian licenced Aircraft Maintenance Engineer.”

What is the best/worst thing to happen to you since you started working at AMS? “The best: The invaluable experience gained in the HEMS aero-medical and rescue environment. The worst: PTSD (tongue in cheek).”

If you could master one skill you don’t have right now, what would it be? “Snowboarding.”

What do you do in your spare time? “Home DIY, gardening and bonsai.”

What is the one thing about you few people know? “I did the Bloukrans Bungee many years ago and now I’m terrified of falling…..or perhaps it’s a fear of heights, I can’t decide.”

What do you enjoy most about your job? “Rescue flights.”

What is on your bedside table? “A half read book: DREAMS FROM MY FATHER by Barack Obama and a torch.”

If you could have dinner with five famous people from history, who would they be? “Leonardo da Vinci, The Wright Brothers, Hanna Reich, Amelia Earhart and Karl Benz.”

What was your first thought when you woke up this morning? “Better feed the cat and open the pet door otherwise he’s never going to shut up.”

What has been the happiest day of your life? “Achieving my life goal and dream of becoming a chopper pilot!”

If you could do another job for just one day, what would it be? “To captain super yachts, of course with a helicopter on board but the life of the super wealthy still eludes me.”

What is your greatest indulgence? “A great red wine.”

What is the one thing, you can’t live without? “Coffee in the morning…..and then for the rest of the day too.”

Best piece of advice anyone ever gave you? “One should never lose one’s humility.”

What animal best represents you and why? “Wondering Albatross – Life can be a long hard journey but the results are almost always gratifying.”

Any motto you live by? “Life is too short for regrets.”

Meet our team ...

Our team member who we focus on today, currently resides in a town which boasts the largest coal export facility in the world - Richards Bay. Helicopter pilot, DJ Pretorius is based at the AMS Richards Bay base.  Here’s a look into his world …

Tell us about yourself: “I was born in Prince Albert, grew up in George and stayed there until grade 9.  I completed my last school years in Calvinia. Straight after school I started studying at the University of Potchefstroom and completed my Bachelors in Engineering Science.” 

Were you in any other trade before? “Yes, my first job was delivering newspapers and during some school holidays I was a painter.  After university I worked as a software developer for Vodacom, and as an electronic engineer for SAMES and TFD.”

What is the best/worst thing to happen to you since you started your aviation career? “Worst: In Afghanistan my helicopter was fired upon by the Taliban, and hit several times during final descent to drop a sling load into a military FOB. Best: I was employed by AMS.”

If you could master one skill you don’t have right now, what would it be? “Sailing.”

What do you do in your spare time? “I enjoy jogging, squash and golf. “

What is the one thing about you few people know? “I can sort of speak Russian.”

What do you enjoy most about your job? “Flying helicopters is more like a hobby than a job, and to save lives while working with my best friends and great colleagues is amazing.”

What is on your bedside table? “My Bible and aircon-remote.”

What was your first thought when you woke up this morning? “Coffee.”

What has been the happiest day of your life? “I can think of three….The day my baby girl was born, the day I got married and the day I was selected to become a helicopter pilot.”

If you could do another job for just one day, what would it be? “Pilot a hot air balloon.”

What is your greatest indulgence? “Lamb chops / biltong.”

What is the one thing, you can’t live without? “My family.”

Best piece of advice anyone ever gave you? “Never buy anything on credit.”

What animal best represents you and why? “A hummingbird, I like to hover.”

Any motto you live by? “Be kind to all, kindness is contagious.”