Choosing a career path is tough, and for many of those who are interested in leading a life in the sky, the dream of becoming a helicopter pilot is not far behind. The life of a helicopter pilot comes with some pretty exciting opportunities, including law enforcement, hospital patient transport, aerial photography, fire fighting, offshore oil work, and more. In fact, if an aircraft took pictures of your boat, it was likely from a copter.
Helicopter pilot demand remains high
The general use of helicopters is so varied and widespread in the U.S. that helicopter pilots are employed just about everywhere there are airports and, in many cases, may even dominate the smaller airport scene. As you may have guessed, the demand for chopper pilots is high. Plus, as companies continue to find even more reasons to use helicopters, that demand is likely to grow.
3 reasons to become a professional helicopter pilot
- Variety: In addition to the multitude of opportunities, helicopter pilots have the ability to work in a variety of industries and many even travel between industries.
- Shorter flights: Helicopter flights are usually short, in comparison to airline flights, and many chopper pilots enjoy varying flight paths versus the standard to-and-from action required for most airline pilots.
- Flexibility: Helicopter pilots can work for an operator who owns a fleet of helicopters, or they may build up enough revenue to employ other pilots and manage their own business.
What does it take to become a helicopter pilot?
There are essentially two paths to becoming a copter pilot. Many pilots receive their initial training in the armed forces, but you can also choose private FAA-certified helicopter flight schools. Most employers will require at least 175 hours of flight experience to obtain an entry-level position. Many chopper pilots enter their profession as flight instructors because this helps them earn money while they build up their flying time and experience. The more experience you have, the more employable you are and the higher salary you earn.
The good news: Not long ago, helicopter pilots needed 500 hours of flight time to be employable. The fact is that the need is simply higher than the supply of pilots. Many flight schools combine flying time with aerial photography, city tours, and other light flying experiences to allow you to build flying time while you gain experience. It’s a great time to become a helicopter pilot!
Contact L & L International if you need assistance in purchasing or selling a private jet. You can reach our sales specialists today at sales@L-Lint.com, call us any time at +1.305.754.3313, or visit us online.