Thursday 19 September 2013


Flying a helicopter is a dream for many people. This is considered to be one of the best airline jobs. However, it has been observed that many of them are not aware of the helicopter pilot careers and other essentials such as helicopter pilot license requirements. Before we discuss the helicopter pilot requirements, let us first know the kinds of helicopter pilot jobs available.

Jobs Available for Helicopter Pilots

The emergency medical services pilots are considered to be one of the most important helicopter pilot jobs. These pilots have to participate in rescue operations during emergencies which can cause loss of lives. Such a pilot might require around two thousand hours of flight experience before he starts his helicopter pilot career. You can also work as flight instructor for which the experience requirement would be of around five hundred hours. However, being a military helicopter pilot can be the most exciting career option, since it will enable you to fly the most sought after, latest and technologically advanced helicopters. In order to work as an offshore pilot, you will need around one thousand hours of flying experience. There are many pilots who work for the law enforcement of the state and earn a handsome salary. Even the career of a fire fighting helicopter pilot is exciting and thrilling. The number of candidates opting for a coast guard helicopter pilot career is also increasing. Now, let us see how to become a helicopter pilot in the next section.

Becoming a Helicopter Pilot

Becoming a successful helicopter pilot is possible only if you have a genuine interest in this career. So, before taking admission for the flying course, you should ask yourself whether you will really enjoy flying as a full-time career. Once you decide that you want to become a helicopter pilot, then undergoing helicopter pilot training from the best institute would be the next obvious step. By searching the Internet and by consulting senior helicopter pilots, you should short list a few institutes and apply for admission. Helicopter training courses are known to cost a lot and hence, it is advisable that you should prepare yourself financially for it. According to many experts, the fees for private institutes imparting helicopter pilot training can be around $50,000. However, if you manage to secure admission in a well-known helicopter pilot training school, then getting bank loans to finance your course expenses would not be a tough task.

At most places, you need to have completed seventeen years of age to get admission for flying course. Having a good eyesight (20/40) vision in both the eyes, to deal with any kinds of dangers and emergencies while flying, is essential. Aspiring helicopter pilots should possess the ability to find colors correctly. In order to get a helicopter license, you need to undergo three stages; the written test, practical flying test and the personal interview. The written test is usually a multiple option test and the candidate has to select the correct option among all the given options. This is a very competitive examination and you will need good mathematical skills, aeronautical knowledge and language skills to crack it. At least forty hours of actual flying would be required by license issuing authorities to give you a helicopter license. Helicopter pilot requirements also include good communication skills, interpersonal skills, decision-making ability, physical strength, intelligence, along with hard-working nature.

Helicopter pilot salary would largely depend on your skills, type of employer and location of job. Flight instructors can earn anywhere between $30,000 to $35,000 per year. The salaries for those working for law enforcement agencies can be in the range of $50,000 to $85,000 per year. Helicopter pilots employed in defense forces can expect to earn between $72,000 to $110,000 per year.

So, this was all about the helicopter pilot careers, their salaries and requirements. Hoping that you will try your best to explore these great career opportunities, I would like to sign off here wishing you all the best for your career!

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