RACQ CareFlight pilot Dave Bashir rises above dangers to lead life of reward

DAVE Bashir traded in an idyllic job flying at the Whitsundays for the perils of piloting an emergency RACQ CareFlight chopper.

Careflight helicopter rescue pilot Dave Bashir has been nominated for a Pride of Australia award. Pic Tim Marsden

A DECADE ago Dave Bashir traded in one of the most spectacular helicopter jobs in the world for one of the most daring. And he doesn’t regret a moment.

Mr Bashir used to fly over the idyllic Whitsundays, past such Aussie icons as Whitehaven Beach and Heart Reef to shuttle crew to ships off shore, but 10 years ago he made a decision that changed his life and saved countless others.

He joined RACQ CareFlight, the emergency helicopter service that rescues people across the state.

Performing rescues in heart-stopping locations like the side of huge cliffs requires nerves of steel and has seen Mr Bashir nominated for a Pride of Australia medal for heroism.

Some rescues are straight forward, but others are anything but.

Earlier this year, Mr Bashir piloted a helicopter rescue mission involving a teenage boy who had fallen down a waterfall at Binna Burra.

Too high from the bottom to be rescued by ground crews, the injured teen had to wait for the CareFlight helicopter to manoeuvre within metres of the cliff face as the crew winched him to safety.

It is those kind of operations that make it all the more rewarding for Mr Bashir.

“People might think it’s dangerous because you’ve got the cliffs about 15 metres from the motors, but provided you have your landmarks and your focus, it’s not too bad to be the pilot,” he said. “It’s probably hairier going down on the winch.”

Do you know a local legend? Nominate them for a Pride of Australia medal here