Helicopter pilot jobs can be very different to flying fixed wing aircraft and helicopter jobs are generally not interchangeable with those of aeroplanes. Of all the aviation jobs, helicopter pilot jobs may possibly be the most varied. Read on to find out more about finding helicopter pilot jobs.
Helicopter Aviation Jobs
- The first step to finding helicopter pilot jobs is to gain all the necessary licenses required to be able to apply for helicopter jobs. This can be done in a number of ways such as attending a private flight school to getting training with the military, coastguard or police etc.
- Aviation jobs with helicopters can be hugely varied. For instance, the coastguard coordinates air-sea rescue and monitors the coast while those with helicopter pilot jobs with the police can expect to track criminals or provide surveillance. The military offer a wide range of aviation jobs. Private helicopter pilot jobs can include taking aerial photography, transporting passengers or even agricultural work.
- There are several different types of licenses for helicopter pilot jobs. To take paying passengers, you will need a commercial license which will require extra examinations and flying hours. Flying hours are the key to finding aviation jobs as the more experience you have, the more likely you are to land helicopter pilot jobs.
- Provided that you have the right licenses and certificates, becoming a helicopter flying instructor can be an excellent way to find other helicopter pilot jobs as you are not only earning money but also constantly increasing your flight hours.
You can search for a wide range of helicopter pilot jobs here on Airline Pilots. Make sure that you search regularly as helicopter pilot jobs can be in short supply and will often get filled very quickly.
If you’re interested in a career as a helicopter pilot, there are several aviation jobs you can pursue, from working for private airlines to working for the medical services to working for a broadcaster. However, to successfully become a commercial helicopter pilot, you’ll need to be dedicated to years of training and satisfy several legal stipulations.
Learn more about helicopter pilot jobs in the guide below.
Helicopter Pilot Jobs: Career Path and Helicopter Training Tips
- To work as a commercial helicopter pilot, the majority of employers will require you to be a Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) and pass a rigorous medical exam. In fact, your medical history will be all important in determining whether you are suited to the demands of a helicopter pilot. Some employers will demand a complete family medical history to check whether you have any genetic conditions within the family that may put others at risk during a flight.
- The medical exam will scrutinise all aspects of your physical health. Surprisingly, perfect eyesight is not a pre-requisite to securing a helicopter pilot job – provided you can wear lenses or are willing to undergo corrective surgery, poor eyesight will not damage your chances of finding employment. The exam will also explore your hearing and overall physical fitness.
- Licences are split into three broad categories – student, private and commericial. Flight training can be expensive, so you should be aware of the commitment and compromise needed to successfully apply for helicopter pilot jobs.
- Flying a helicopter can be a fairly niche career, so it’s best to search around in your local area and consider your options carefully. Always ensure that any course that interests you is accredited. Try and opt for a school that offers all levels of flight training, as this can often be the strategy in terms of receiving the best possible levels of consistent training.
- Remember, there’s no set time limit that states how long helicopter pilot training should take – in some cases, you can complete a course within a couple of months, for others it may take several years to reach the required standard. However, the majority of employers will demand around 1,000 hours of flight experience before you can even be considered for a job. Depending on the position offered, this figure can be far higher – it’s worth investigating several vacances to analyse different options in terms of employer requirements.
Find helicopter pilot jobs on Airline Pilot Jobs

Pilot Cockpit
Thinking about training for airline pilot jobs but are not sure what aviation jobs entail? This article will give you some information on pilot jobs and what is involved.
Aviation Jobs – Description of Pilot Jobs
Pilot jobs primarily involve flying passengers and cargo to their chosen destination on a national and international basis. Airline pilots have to fly people around the world for commercial, leisure or business reasons. An aircraft will be controlled by two, three or four pilots depending on the size and type of the aircraft and the length of the journey.
The chief pilot or captain is the pilot who has command and overall responsibility of the safety of the passengers and cabin crew. Airline pilot jobs also involve a lot of preparation, a pilot will have to study the flight plans before take off and ensure that everything is working properly. In pilot jobs you also have to check weather conditions and liaise with air traffic control.
There are lots of different opportunities for airline pilot jobs because pilots are employed for many different services from passenger scheduled services, charter services, freight services and general business aviation.
Airline Pilot Jobs – Work Activities
- Ensuring all information about the route, weather, passengers and aircraft are sound.
- Pilot jobs include analysing the flight plan which includes route and flying altitude.
- Calculating fuel consumption.
- Ensuing safety systems of the aircraft are working correctly.
- Pilot jobs also include briefing the cabin crew before the flight and maintaining contact with the crew throughout the flight.
- Communicating with passengers using the public address system.
- You also have to be able to understand and interpret data from controls and instruments.
- Another important part of aviation jobs is to update the aircraft log book and write a report at the end of each flight indicating any issues.