Rotorworld

Often overlooked, there are a lot of opportunities for a career flying helicopters.

It’s an exclusive club. Out of some 595,000 people who are certificated to fly, only 35,407 have the ability to do so in helicopters. Just 23,372 have commercial pilot certificates, and only 3,538 airmen have earned the airline transport pilot certificate with a helicopter rating.

Just like airplane pilots, those who fly helicopters can earn virtually the full gamut of FAA certificates: student; recreational; private; commercial; ATP. The airman’s plastic certificate shows a “rotorcraft” category and a “helicopter” class. “Instrument-helicopter” is also available, as well as CFI and CFII Helicopter. Large helos weighing more than 12,500 pounds require FAA type ratings.

So, exactly what can one do with a commercial or ATP helicopter certificate? There’s work to be had in the following industries: EMS (emergency medical services); ENG (electronic news gathering); aerial tours; offshore oil and gas operations; utilities (inspecting pipelines and electrical grids); charter; film and TV; heli-ski; law enforcement (you must be a police officer first in most instances); government agency; traffic reporting; agricultural spraying; external load/heavy lift; aerial photo; firefighting; flight instructor.

There are two distinct paths to the captain’s seat of a helicopter for pay: military and civilian.

The most cost-effective way to be trained, well-disciplined, and build a substantial amount of turbine helicopter time is with any of the armed services—most notably the U.S. Army and the U.S. Coast Guard.

The qualifications and processes for candidates interested in the U.S. Army’s Warrant Officer Flight Training Program are challenging and competitive (see “From the Street to the Cockpit Seat,” January 2010 Flight Training). Likewise, to earn a position in one of the U.S. Coast Guard’s H-65 Dolphins, check out “Flying Coastie” (March 2009 Flight Training).

If military service is not in the plan, the rotorwing career path parallels that of the fixed-wing counterpart: Start as a student pilot and work right through CFI and CFII. There is, however, one significant difference: cost.

As just one example, a well-known Florida-based helicopter flight program lists the following a la carte pricing: private pilot—$15,596; commercial pilot—$29,905. Flight instructor—$10,065; instrument rating—$11,885; CFII—$3,310. Add another $30,355 for the ATP.

Pilots with an airplane commercial certificate with instrument rating can transition to helicopters fairly easily, since the regulations offer substantial credit for fixed-wing experience. That same flight school can put a commercial airplane pilot into a rotor commercial add-on program for $15,219.

How does a newly minted commercial helicopter pilot begin to build time and experience? The answer is doing lots of instruction initially in Robinson R22s
and R44s.

Some sources say that entry-level jobs can be found flying aerial photography, sightseeing, and government work with as little as 200 hours of rotor time. Additionally, a few industry watchers believe that opportunities are on the rise as Vietnam-era pilots retire from their civilian jobs, resulting in lower hiring-time minimums for the limited supply of helicopter-rated pilots. But, for the best jobs, the time requirement rivals those of the major airlines.

Air Methods is one of the largest EMS operators in the industry. The company prefers a candidate with an ATP, 2,000 hours in helicopters, and 1,000 hours turbine time for VFR assignments. For that, expect a starting salary of $55,973.

PHI, formerly known as Petroleum Helicopters Inc., can place a pilot into domestic oil and gas operations flying light ships with 1,500 hours of PIC time in helicopters and 300 hours in twin-engine helos.

The Internet is brimming with information and data. Like so much in aviation, a successful career launch is predicated on three important factors: networking, persistence, and timing. However, the best advice can come from someone in the industry.

Hank Miller has been associated with five major helicopter firms and now manages aviation operations for a California utility. He interviews and hires pilots. His best advice to aspiring helicopter pilots is:

• Be willing to do the job that no one else wants. Be willing to jump in feet first, but be sure to ask for help when needed.

• Take advantage of every type of flying you can do, and in every airframe.

• Act like the professional that you wish to be treated like.

• Take advantage of your current lifestyle. Single and mobile? • Exploit the nomadic lifestyle that often accompanies helicopter jobs—firefighting, utility work, tuna spotting, and anything you can find overseas.

• Do the right thing—even when you think no one is watching.