Rescue Pilot

by John Funnell

he daring adventures of a New Zealand search and rescue Pilot.

'Somewhere, up ahead, a person is bleeding, but you have to put that out of your mind. Your job is negotiating with time and space. You have your clock, that person has their own, and in the end, whether the rate at which your clock is ticking matches theirs is out of your control.'

Often referred to as a ‘search and rescue daredevil’, John Funnell is one of New Zealand’s longest serving and most respected search and rescue pilots, having clocked an incredible 19,000 hours of flying time.
Rescue Pilot shares stories from his 49 years flying search and rescue helicopters all over New Zealand – and beyond. John is a hero to the thousands of victims he has transported to safety over the years, and is perhaps best known for his unprecedented 1200-kilometre mission to save a MetService employee attacked by a shark on the remote subantarctic Campbell Island.
Fearless and prepared to give pretty much any mission a go, John boasts a remarkable aviation career. What's more, he's a natural-born story-teller, and the adventures he recounts are utterly gripping.

Genres: Memoir, Nonfiction

Paperback

Published October 3, 2016

Reviews

[Bob Boze · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was given to me by my coauthor who lives in New Zealand and knows I love anything to do with flying.

Rescue Pilot is pretty much the story of John Furnnell’s life. In some cases in far more detail than you’d ever want.

I loved John’s rescue stories and found him to be pretty typical of an old school pilot starting out as an Ag (crop spraying) pilot then, eventually moving into the Search and Rescue world when it was in it’s infancy.

To say John was feisty would be an understatement. Nor, could anyone ever accuse him of not putting those he was sent out to rescue first. Those two factors will have you glued to his rescue (and other) stories.

But, a word of warning, if you’re not into flying, you’ll likely get tired of John explaining everything he ever flew since he was in diapers. And, in between covering everything he ever flew, you’ll get to meet everyone he ever met.

So, if you love flying stories and are willing to overlook TMI on aircraft models, technical details and a ton of people you couldn’t care less about, you’ll love his book, as I did.

Wonderful stories about a wonderful life but not for everyone

[M · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a fantastic page turner. I admire that John has captured his highlights and told them succinctly in this book. Though the timeline skips around a little bit, the stories keep you on the edge of your seat and John's quips of humour are well delivered. This is an inspirational story for anyone thinking of being a pilot or for anyone who likes a good hero story.

[Kirsty McMurtrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Details the evolution of SAR and air transfers in the Central North Island, as well as long range rescues of those further afield (South of Stewart Island and East of the Chatham Islands). An interesting read.

[Kage · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't know who John Funnel is, but it's pretty inspiring seeing the stories from the frontline of search and rescue. I admire his strength and how he took actions to save people.

The guy does ramble on quite a bit, though. I'm impressed how much he remembers from his adventures.

[Aaron · Rating 5 out of 5]

loved it!

[Amelia · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting life John experienced!
Very cool to read stories from the person who experienced some of the most famous rescues in the history of rescue choppers.

[Cam Yaxley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastically interesting stories here

[R Hinchco · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an incredible story. To pretty much stumbling into Air Rescue, to having the Kiwi attitude of “getting it done” John and the support crew gave a lot to people in need of NZ society. Thank you!