Helicopter Pilot
What is the work like?
As a helicopter pilot you would fly single- and multi-engined helicopters for commercial, leisure or emergency response purposes. For example, you might transfer oil rig workers to an offshore platform or ferry business clients between cities as part of a charter service.
Your main duties before a flight would include:
- checking weather conditions and airspace restrictions along your planned route
- filing flight plans
- working out fuel requirements and maximum loads
- carrying out checks (including safety checks) on equipment and instruments
- gaining clearance from air traffic control to take off.
During the flight, you would use a range of instruments to navigate, control height and speed, and communicate with air traffic controllers. After landing, you would complete all post-flight paperwork, including a duty hours log, before preparing for the next flight. You may work alone or in a captain and co-pilot team on a larger helicopter.
What qualifications and experience will employers look for?
To fly a helicopter you must be over 18 and licensed by the Joint Aviation Authorities (JAA). JAA licences are issued and enforced by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). You could train for a:
- Private Pilot's Licence – PPL(H) – which you can use as a first step to commercial flying but does not allow you to charge for services
- Commercial Pilot Licence – CPL(H) – the standard licence needed to fly for a living
- Advanced Airline Transport Pilot Licence – ATPL(H) – required for piloting two-crew helicopters.
You would normally need five GCSEs (A-C), including English and maths or physics, or equivalent qualifications, for entry onto a CPL(H) training course. You will also have to pass aptitude and medical tests before you can start training.
Training for a commercial licence is expensive and you would normally have to fund it yourself. Occasionally, company sponsorships crop up but these are quite rare. You could take a trial lesson with a flight school to make sure this is the career for you before making the financial commitment to a full course.
If you have a Private Pilot's Licence you could apply for commercial training to gain the CPL(H). The flight school would assess your skills, and could ask you to take some pre-course training to prove that you have the ability.
Another way to gain flying experience is to sign up for pilot training with the armed forces (see the Army, Royal Navy and Royal Airforce job profiles).
See the British Helicopter Advisory Board (BHAB) website for more details about this career and flight training centres.
What further training and development can I do?
You could choose to take either an integrated or modular training route.
Integrated course
The aim of this course is to train you to the level of proficiency needed for a CPL(H), but not the Instrument Rating or any further specialisation like aerial work activities. Its key features are:
- a minimum of 135 hours' flight training
- 500 hours' theoretical knowledge (including aviation law, communications and meteorology)
- it takes around 12 months to complete full-time.
Modular training
If you already have a Private Pilot's Licence, you could take this route to reach the level needed to obtain a CPL(H). It requires:
- a minimum of 155 hours' flying experience
- a 35-hour commercial flying course
- 500 hours' of theoretical knowledge
- passes in nine written exams and a skill test.
You could do this course on a flexible basis and at your own pace. As a guide, the full-time option normally takes at least nine months.
ATPL(H) licence
This advanced licence certifies that you have reached the level of skill needed to operate as a co-pilot on multi-pilot, multi-engine helicopters in commercial air transport. You will need:
- a minimum of 1,000 hours' total flying experience (including 350 hours' on multi-crew, multi-engined aircraft)
- passes in Instrument Rating tests.
See the BHAB website or contact the CAA for a copy of the publication, 'Licensing Administration and Standardisation Operating Requirements and Safety (LASORS)' for more details about the licence training requirements and approved training providers.
Where can I go for more information?
Personnel Licensing Department – Flight CrewAviation House
Gatwick Airport South
West Sussex
RH6 0YR
Fairoaks Airport
Chobham
Woking
Surrey
GU24 8HX
Tel: 01276 856100
If you would like to discuss your career options with a learning adviser, call 0800 100 900 or use our online enquiry form
Alternatively, you can visit our website at: www.direct.gov.uk/careersadvice
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What salary and other benefits can I expect?
There is no set income for helicopter pilots and it will usually depend upon the type of work.
- Newly qualified helicopter pilots in a commercial role can earn in the region of £25,000 a year.
- Helicopter pilots who captain passenger-carrying craft may earn between £45,000 and £60,000 a year.
Helicopter pilots may be paid allowances for overnight stays or visits to inhospitable areas.
Figures are intended as a guideline only.
What are the hours and working conditions?
Strict regulations govern maximum flying hours, but your flight duties may include working days, nights or weekends. Some jobs over longer distances could involve short, overnight stays away from home.
You would spend a lot of time in the helicopter's cockpit, where conditions can be cramped and noisy. If you work as an offshore pilot, you would be expected to wear a survival suit.
What skills and knowledge will I need?
- the ability to take responsibility for the aircraft, crew and passengers
- good concentration skills
- the ability to remain calm in a crisis and act decisively
- clear communication skills, both written and spoken
- the ability to work alone and as part of a team
- sound judgement.
What opportunities are there?
You would normally join a helicopter company as a co-pilot. You can contact companies directly for information about vacancies. For a list of companies see the Royal Aeronautical Society website.
Demand for new pilots varies from year to year, so you may need to join a different company or relocate to progress to a captain's position.
With experience, you can combine flying with ground duties, spending some time on administration, recruitment or training. You could start your own business, such as recreational flying or freight services. You may also have the opportunity to fly corporate aircraft or become a flying instructor.
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