How to Find Your First Job as a Helicopter Pilot

However, they can be purpose-built for a wide variety of operations, from inspections and surveillance to medevac to agriculture and even VIP transport.

Flying helicopters is a dream for many pilots, who start their careers with the goal of becoming part of a professional helicopter crew. Finding employment as a helicopter pilot can be a challenge, but there are many ways to achieve this goal successfully.

Starting your career as a helicopter pilot starts with becoming a pilot in the first place.

New pilot hopefuls should start off by obtaining an FAA medical certificate to ensure they are healthy to become a pilot in the first place. The FAA’s website provides a list of examiners in the area that can help you navigate the process.

Upon receipt of a medical certificate, pilots must start their flight training and work toward a private pilot certificate in helicopters. This level of certification allows a pilot to fly themselves and passengers recreationally, and it also helps pilots build flight time in pursuit of a higher level of certification.

Private pilots must be at least 17 years old and log 40 hours of flight time. This includes a set number of dual instruction and solo time and some margin for either to go over. There are subrequirements for cross-country training and solo and night time.

A commercial pilot certificate allows pilots to be paid for their ability to fly a helicopter. Though the training is more intense, the result is rewarding. Achieving this rating opens opportunities for pilots to seek employment flying helicopters.

Commercial rotorcraft pilots need at least 150 hours of total flight time, including a number of aeronautical experience requirements to improve their decision making and increase  experience.

It is rare, however, that brand-new commercial pilots land a flying job right away. Adding an instrument rating expands a pilot’s opportunities by allowing them to fly when the weather is too poor to see outside. Thus, the potential number of jobs a pilot could take increases.

Many pilots also become CFIs to further expand their résumé and build flight time teaching other new pilots how to fly. Teaching offers valuable experience in a real-world environment that can help pilots prove their ability to operate safely and efficiently as a professional aviator.

Finally, pilots can pursue an airline transport pilot (ATP) certificate, which further increases the number of eligible jobs. It also sets the pilot apart from others applying for similar positions who might just be commercial certificate holders. Having the highest level of training and experience provides additional benefit for pilots pursuing a career flying helicopters.

Rotocraft airline transport pilots require 1,200 hours of total time plus a variety of aeronautical experience stipulations. Becoming a CFI is a great way to build most of this flight time without needing to pay for the hours.

Many pilots who already fly other types of aircraft, such as airplanes, may decide they want a career shift into rotorcraft.

Adding helicopters to a preexisting pilot certificate has a number of benefits. Not only do you come in with a certain amount of experience to guide your decision making, studying, and preparation for another exam, but a significant amount of the flight experience you already have can carry over to the rotorcraft experience requirements.

Some helicopter pilots even elect to add other aircraft, such as airplanes, to their certificates to build additional experience in various situations. More diverse experience can go a long way towards standing out among other candidates for jobs.

The exact costs of becoming a helicopter pilot can vary based on personal needs, the equipment you’re training in, and the course of study chosen. However, there are general guidelines that can help a hopeful pilot start their planning and save toward training.

Becoming a private pilot can cost anywhere from $15,000 to $25,000. Commercial pilot training can cost between $20,000 and $35,000, while CFI training can cost about $10,000.

Helicopters are expensive to operate and maintain, so flight training costs can be significant. Pilots rarely complete training, especially private pilot training, in the minimum amount of required time, so make sure you have extra money saved above the minimum quote just in case.

However, becoming a professional pilot helps offset the cost of the training and experience building. Working in entry-level helicopter jobs can expedite your time building without needing to worry about additional costs or time.

Various helicopter jobs earn various incomes. The more experienced a pilot is, the higher their income tends to be.

Flight instructor salaries start at $30,000 a year to build experience toward a higher-paying position. Especially when pilots have attained more than 1,000 hours of flying experience, they can pursue jobs as tour pilots, firefighters, or flying for emergency services and first responders.

Tour pilots get a slight pay raise over instructors, earning up to $50,000 annually, while first responders—think medevac pilots and law enforcement—can earn anywhere from $50,000 to $90,000.

Firefighting, while seasonal, pays considerably well at $75,000 per season. This job, while intense for a certain part of the year, allows pilots to seek other opportunities for the rest of the year, such as flight instruction or tour flying.

The highest-paid helicopter pilots are often those that fly VIP passengers such as company executives, celebrities, and government officials. These pilots can make upwards of $100,000 and tend to operate on-call to fly their passengers as needed.

Another potential career opportunity for helicopter pilots is government work, which takes pilots across the country and world. A variety of agencies, from intelligence to law enforcement, use helicopters to fill a variety of mission requirements that require stealth and agility.

Other helicopters fly agricultural missions spreading fertilizer or watering crops. Some pilots then use downwash from their rotorblades to dry crops, such as cherries, that cannot have prolonged exposure to moisture.

Some helicopter pilots also fly charters on behalf of private companies. These aircraft can shuttle employees to remote locations, such as mines or even offshore oil rigs, to complete a job, carry supplies, or provide assistance to others.

The most effective way to find opportunities as a helicopter pilot is to make connections with established industry professionals.

While working toward your certificates or building time as an instructor, take the time to reach out to companies and other pilots to grow your professional network. Having a strong core of people you know can make a significant difference in your career progression, as knowing the right people can make the difference in whether or not you’re hired as a pilot.

Equally, taking the time to build diverse flight experience can make a difference in your career growth.

While working as an instructor, challenge yourself to open up new opportunities for yourself and your students. Adding an instrument instructor rating can help develop more experience in a wider variety of conditions to expand your opportunities as a pilot.

Though the process of becoming a helicopter pilot is challenging, the rewards are significant. Many find that the initial investment pays off significantly as they pursue a career that they love.

Pursuing aviation is a challenge but is open to everyone with the desire to learn and a passion for flight.