Head Office

Meet our Team ...

Today we introduce Craig Chaplin, helicopter pilot based at our Durban operation. Craig joined the AMS family in July this year. Here’s a look into his world … 

Tell us about yourself: “I was born in Pinetown in KwaZulu-Natal. I grew up in Kloof which is just inland of Durban. I used to spend most of my time on the beach trying to surf. After school I spent two years in the SA Navy, I was a gunner on the Strike Craft. I then went on to study Dental Technology. After I qualified I worked as a technician for a number of years while travelling to Europe and America and being a snow board bum. When I returned from America I decided to become a pilot and get a “real” job. I learned to fly with JNC Helicopters at Virginia in Durban. I have worked in the off shore industry for the past nine-ten years and am very happy to be home now as out of the rotational lifestyle.”

Why did you choose to join the AMS? “From when I started learning to fly I always wanted to use my profession to help people and I can’t think of a better company than AMS to do that with.”

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

What do you do in your spare time? “Ride motorbikes, bicycles, I am trying to remember how to surf and I try to keep fit.”

What might someone be surprised to know about you? “I used to play the violin.”

What do you enjoy most about your job? “I feel proud to be able to help people who are less fortunate than I am.”

What is on your bedside table? “I don’t have a bedside table.”

If you could have dinner with five famous people from history, who would they be? “Umm, I can’t think of five but I’d definitely like to have dinner with Lance Armstrong. I want to ask him why he lied. And I want him to give me back my money for the books of his that I bought.”

When your friends/family find out what you do, what do they say or ask? “Guaranteed to at some point to be asked...When does a pilot start to sweat?   When the fan turns off” and then the uncomfortable silence as they wait for you to laugh.”

What has been the happiest day of your life? “Being able to help my folks buy their house.”

If you could do another job for just one day, what would it be? “Brain Surgeon.”

What is your greatest indulgence? “Chocolate. Lindt Toasted Sesame.”

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

What is the one quality you feel best describes you? “Perseverance.”

Best piece of advice anyone ever gave you? “You don’t always have to be right.”

Do you have a life philosophy? “Have as much fun as possible.”

Meet our team

Today we get to know Marc Lawson, AMO Manager. Marc has been with the AMS family for eight years and is multi-skilled, amongst others an ELO instructor and an aircraft mechanic, here’s a look into his world…

Tell us about yourself: “I was born and raised in Cape Town, but have travelled and stayed in many different countries. I completed high school in Cape Town in 1990 then went on to complete my National Military Service, where I worked for about three years. I joined the Air Force as an Aircraft Mechanic thereafter. I completed my Flight Engineers and Instructors Course in the Air Force and then was off to the Middle East for two years. I came back to South Africa and was offered a job at AMS."

Were you in any other trade before?  “One of life’s philosophies... Jack of all trades and a master of few.”

Why did you choose to join the AMS family?  “I appreciated and had an understanding of what the organisation stands for. This was one of the key factors why I joined.”

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

What do you do in your spare time? “What spare time, I work for AMS lol. I service helicopters in my private capacity, I volunteer as a life saver, I have my own aviation school and I am restoring my own two personal aircraft when the time allows.

What might someone be surprised to know about you? “I am very soft hearted and caring for people in reaching their full potential.”

What do you enjoy most about your job? “There is very little repetition.”

What is on your bedside table? “My watch, my cell phone, my pocket Bible and my bedside light that my wife bought which I never use because Eskom is too expensive.”

If you could have dinner with five famous people from history, who would they be?  “Shoo!  Mmm… I’ve never really thought of it hey … can’t think of anybody … oh wait maybe Donald Trump, I just want to find out how he thinks.”

When your friends/family find out what you do, what do they say or ask? “Most people think people that working in aviation is a routine well paid job, when it’s the opposite …”

What has been the happiest day of your life? “When I got married and when my two sons were born.”

If you could do another job for just one day, what would it be? “Shoo! Mmm… a pilot for personal reasons.”

What is your greatest indulgence? “Chocolate and food is my biggest weakness.”

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

What is the one quality you feel best describes you? “I am caring yet consistent.”

Best piece of advice anyone ever gave you? “There’s so many of them, Don’t leave for tomorrow what can be done today. Saving is part of your budget. Don’t look at others, look at the change you can make.”

Do you have a life philosophy? “Enjoy life, go places, do things! The older you become the more painful it is.”  

Meet our team

Our staff member being profiled today, comes from a background and life experience that is as colourful, enduring and diverse as he is. Starting out as a Basic Ambulance Assistant (BAA) in the Emergency Medical Service (EMS) field, he recently achieved Command Pilot status on the PC12. Captain Jeffrey Persens, joined the AMS family in December 2012 where he first took up the position of NOC assistant while at the same time being part of the AMS Cadet Pilot Development Programme. Jeffrey’s career has grown in leaps and bounds, here’s a look at his journey …

Tell us about yourself: “I grew up on a farm called Driefontein, situated 30kms outside Ceres. At the age of 12 we moved to Ceres where I completed Matric. I started working as a casual worker at a factory now known as Ceres Fruit Juices, after 6 months I was employed full time in the Quality Control Department, during the last six years of my 10 years there I was in the Blending Department, where you blend and test different flavours in order to produce a quality product. I started my flying career in 2007 in Kimberley after finishing at Ceres Fruit Juices. During my time in Kimberley when AMS was still operational there I always saw the PC 12 flying. My Instructor at the time was a volunteer pilot at Kimberley base. One day he took me to the base and showed me the PC 12. I took a few steps back while looking at it and said …. One day I will fly you! Seems like there is truth in the saying be careful what you proclaim out in the universe, it may just come true. Because look where I am today!”

Were you in any other trade before? “I was in the juice making trade, I was in the lorry driving trade – I drove for Shoprite, Coke. I worked for Netcare while doing my flight training, I drove a tip truck to the mines in Kimberley. I also worked for METRO EMS Tygerberg Base before joining AMS.”

If you could master one skill you don’t have right now, what would it be? “To be fluent in English! This English language can be a problem sometimes.”

What do you do in your spare time? “These days it’s watching ENCA! A lekke braai at friends, not the bring and braai kind!”

What might someone be surprised to know about you? “Shoo, I don’t know… I can play guitar to amuse myself while sitting on my stoep.”

What do you enjoy most about your job? “Flying was always something I wanted to do. I love it when the wheels lift from the ground. I attach a lot of sentimental value to AMS. In 2002, my father was involved in an accident in Richmond near Three Sisters. He sustained a lot of internal injuries. It was night time when AMS flew him with the PC 12 from Beaufort West to Cape Town where he underwent operations and unfortunately at a later stage passed away. AMS is very special to me, they fulfilled this emergency need in my personal life. It’s always good to help people and make a difference in their life.”

What is on your bedside table? “My Bible, something I reach for every morning to obtain some wisdom from the wise Solomon - before having my morning coffee.” 

If you could have dinner with five famous people from history, who would they be? “I’m not into famous people, but I would definitely want to have dinner with my father, my grandmother and grandfather from my mother’s side. And my father’s biological father.”

When your friends/family find out what you do, what do they say or ask? “Most people don’t know about AMS, but when I tell them what we do they are surprisingly impressed. Some people still think I’m a medic.”

What has been the happiest day of your life? “There was a few… The day I got the cadetship at AMS, the day I went to the CEO to get a permanent job in the NOC and when I left the NOC to fly permanently and now obtaining my Captaincy. Quite frankly I cannot think that I have had a bad day at AMS! I am very happy and privileged to be here.”

What is your greatest indulgence? “A cup of coffee and chocolate before bed!”

What is the one thing, you can’t live without? “Someone once said you can’t live without oxygen.”

What is the one quality you feel best describes you? “Probably joker, but I can also be a deep thinker.”

Do you have a life philosophy? “Just live, every day!”

Meet our team...

During the month of August we pay homage to women of our nation, it is just fitting that this week we feature one of our phenomenal women in our organisation. Kogie Naidoo, Durban Base Manager has been with the AMS since 1998, here’s a look into her world …

Tell us about yourself?  I was born in Addington Hospital, grew up in Chatsworth. I finished school at Westcliff Secondary and completed my Management Degree with UNISA.

Were you in any other trade before?  I have always worked in the emergency field even though I don’t have any medical background.   I worked at AEMS (now known as EMS) from 1982 to 1994 and thereafter at Medical Rescue International from 1994 to 1998 and then started with AMS in June 1998 to date.

If you could master one skill you don’t have right now, what would it be?  A Paramedic.

What do you do in your spare time?  Gardening, sewing, reading, and looking after my family.

What is the one thing about you few people know?  I have a terribly sweet tooth despite being a diabetic. 

What do you enjoy most about your job?   Interacting with people and no two days are alike, each day is different.

What is on your bedside table?   Hot bag (for the stress, aches and pains), book (which I barely get to read– five pages and I am fast asleep) and my cell phone (for the late night calls from the pilots).

If you could have dinner with five famous people from history, who would they be?   Oprah Winfrey, Jennifer Aniston, Gerard Butler, Mahatma Gandhi and Nelson Mandela.

What was your first thought when you woke up this morning?   Shirley is leaving today, 28 August 2018 – what a sad day for all of us. Better get my tissues ready.

What has been the happiest day of your life?   There is a few happy days.  My wedding, the day my children and grandchildren were born.   Starting work at AMS and flying around KZN in this small aeroplane, not so small after all. 

If you could do another job for just one day, what would it be?  A matron in a hospital. 

What is your greatest indulgence?   Chocolates and butter cream cake.

What is the one thing, you can’t live without?  Tea and family.

Best piece of advice anyone ever gave you?   Don’t let anyone dull your sparkle!

What animal best represents you and why?   Tigress – strong character and fiercely protective.    Even though the ladies in the office think I am a “dragon”.

Any motto you live by?    “The task ahead of you is never greater than the strength within you!!!