While on layover at Washington Dulles International Airport recently, I met with Jim MacKay, a longtime professional helicopter pilot and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University faculty member, to discuss the outlook for helicopter piloting careers. In a nutshell, like the prospects for fixed-wing pilots, things are looking very promising for potential helicopter careers.
In most areas of aviation, there has been a shift in piloting resources from military- to civilian-trained pilots, and the helicopter crowd is no different. “It used to be that 70 percent of helicopter pilots came from the military. Now it’s reversed with 70 percent being pulled from the civilian ranks,” said MacKay. While the military route has its perks, especially in terms of retirement and other benefits, the commitment is substantial—10 years or more for the U.S. Army. On the other hand, if one can afford the time and money, an ab initio program at a civilian school can get a pilot qualified to be hired in as little as two to three years.
Much like civilian fixed-wing programs that take a pilot from the street to the right seat of a jet in as little 18 months, companies like Bristow Academy and Helicopter Academy do the same for rotary-wing pilots. You train for six months to acquire a helicopter flight instructor certificate, then get hired by the company to stay on and train students. “In two or three years, with 1,200 hours total time, you’re employable in fields like oil and gas support,” said MacKay. “After four years, you’re employable nearly anywhere.”
Prospects for jobs in the United States are mostly in the Gulf region, where drilling rigs are being pushed farther offshore, requiring longer-reach helicopters. Other hot spots for helo jobs are flying tourists in the Las Vegas and Grand Canyon areas. Alaska and Hawaii are also ripe for potential flying jobs.
But MacKay is very bullish on the job prospects overseas. Brazil now has a lot of deepwater oil rigs that need support, just like those in the Gulf of Mexico. China’s emerging economy is booming, yet the road network is limited, making ground transportation difficult. Now that China has opened up airspace below 700 meters to general aviation, helicopters are able to zip company executives around regions of the country in a fraction of the time. India is in a similar situation with clogged, unsafe roads and lots of executives and entrepreneurs with places to go.
Emergency medical services jobs pay in the mid-$50,000 to mid-$70,000 range, said MacKay. “All of the oil and gas support jobs will bring lots of flying experience and pay in the $65,000- to $75,000-per-year range, and with that type of experience under your belt, you can go anywhere,” he says.
These days MacKay is working for a government contractor earning around $205,000 a year. The downsides? Sixty-day rotations in Iraq followed by 30 off, but there’s no telling how long contract work will continue. A recent oil and gas pilot position MacKay saw posted at an overseas location is paying $327,000 per year.
Besides a livable income, many of these jobs offer some form of predictable schedule flying modern, turbine-powered equipment. The oil rigs located far from shore require twin-engine, longer-range helicopters that often require two pilots. Lifestyles for Gulf oil and gas jobs typically consist of a week-on/week-off schedule, or maybe two weeks in some cases.
Jeff Drake, an offshore helicopter pilot who appeared in the May 2009 issue of Flight Training, also sees great prospects for helicopter careers. “The shortage can be attributed to the Vietnam veteran retirement wave as well as the difficulty to get a loan for the very expensive helicopter training,” said Drake. Previously, Drake was a helicopter-tour pilot based out of Las Vegas. “Flying the Canyon was awesome,” he said. “The repetition burns a guy out a bit, though. Pay was decent, but you work for it—no weekends off. I have more of a life commuting to the Gulf.” Drake’s current job has him working two-week rotations, which is better for his family than the five- to six-day workweeks in Las Vegas.
Most jobs prefer a four-year degree and an ATP, but as demand for pilots continues to ramp up, requirements are already relaxing. A good launching point for those interested in a helicopter career is Rotorcraft Professional’s website.
Pete Bedell is a first officer for a major airline.
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