Many people have spent their entire lives dreaming of earning a living by flying helicopters. There are few more exciting, challenging, or interesting jobs anywhere. Most people who work in aviation love it and wouldn’t choose any other profession as a career However, many people (perhaps including you) aspire to become helicopter pilots because it IS a very desirable profession.
Realistically, acquiring the necessary flying experience to “get your foot in the door” is not simple, quick, or inexpensive. If it were, tens of thousands of helicopter pilots would be employed in commercial aviation. And thats not the case. Understanding that obtaining a commercial pilot’s license and other advanced FAA ratings is only the first step toward becoming a professional helicopter pilot is crucial. But dont be discouraged!.
There are some truly exciting jobs open to helicopter pilots. Law enforcement, government, television and radio news, traffic reporting, hospital patient transport, aerial photography, agricultural spraying, offshore oil work, heavy-lifting, sightseeing, firefighting, fish-spotting, pilot flight training, and corporate transportation are just a few of the opportunities available in the civilian sector.
All branches of the armed forces train helicopter pilots for a variety of jobs in the military. Helicopters are used by the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, and Coast Guard in their daily operations for combat and troop transport, as well as for search-and-rescue operations, anti-submarine patrols, and moving personnel and supplies. To start with, you must realize that professional development in ANY field necessitates a significant time, effort, and financial investment. Numerous professions that necessitate a college education or intensive training in any trade or skill demand years of work, study, and frequently a sizable investment, sometimes amounting to hundreds of thousands of dollars. Just to meet the entry-level requirements for their chosen fields of study, lawyers, scientists, engineers, and countless other professionals must devote many years and tens of thousands of dollars to their educations.
In order to gain the experience necessary for success, skilled tradesmen must follow suit and complete lengthy apprenticeships (often at relatively low pay). Becoming a professional helicopter pilot is no different. In order to qualify for even entry-level employment, you must not only devote a lot of money, time, effort, and study to obtaining your ratings; you must also accrue flying “time” and experience (commonly referred to as “paying your dues”) in the helicopter.
- Consider a degree. …
- Physical examination. …
- Consider military training. …
- Earn private helicopter pilot license. …
- Instrument certification. …
- Earn commercial helicopter pilot license. …
- Log more flight hours. …
- Decide whether to pursue airline transport pilot license.
What does a helicopter pilot for hospitals do?
EMS helicopter pilots could have the following duties:
What is a helicopter pilot for hospitals?
Patients who require medical attention are transported to emergency facilities by hospital helicopter pilots, also known as emergency medical services (EMS) helicopter pilots. The patient is picked up by an EMS helicopter pilot at the scene of the accident or a hospital, and is then flown to a hospital or medical facility with the necessary resources and personnel to provide for the patient’s needs. The EMS pilot’s duty is to transport the patient and medical team as quickly and safely as possible.
Search and rescue, firefighting, EMS, offshore oil support, and external load operations are a few industries that frequently use EMS pilots. Helicopter pilots are typically hired by EMS companies, who then provide services to various organizations.
EMS helicopter pilots frequently work three days straight in 12-hour shifts followed by six days off. There can be a range of shift times, with some taking place during the day and others at night.
How to become a helicopter pilot for hospitals
The following are the steps to becoming a hospital helicopter pilot:
1. Complete your education
Although a high school diploma is sufficient to become an EMS helicopter pilot, the majority of employers prefer applicants to have at least an associate degree. Helicopter pilots typically major in aviation, business, math, physics, English, and aerospace engineering in college.
2. Meet flight school requirements
You should check the requirements before applying to flight school to make sure you meet them. The following is usually required for most flight schools:
3. Attend flight school
Both helicopter ground school and flight school must be attended in order to obtain a helicopter pilot’s license. Attending an FAA-approved program that will prepare you to pass the written and oral tests for your helicopter pilot’s license is ideal. The majority of helicopter ground school courses last 12 to 15 weeks, and there are degree-granting options as well as more conventional courses that emphasize practical training and accumulating flight hours.
Working with an FAA-certified instructor who provides lessons is an alternative to attending flight school. This works particularly well if you’ve been in the military or have a lot of flight experience.
4. Log flight hours and earn licensing
Two licenses must be obtained in order to operate an EMS helicopter:
You can obtain your airline transport pilots license, which enables you to fly bigger helicopters and transport helicopters, even though it is not necessary.
5. Earn your instrument rating
Pilots of EMS helicopters might have to fly in bad weather conditions. The pilot must use their instruments in these difficult conditions rather than their eyesight to fly because it is difficult for them to see outside. The rating and certification required for EMS helicopter pilots to fly with their instruments It typically takes 40 hours of instrument-only flight time, passing a written test, and proving to an examiner that you can fly by instruments. Many commercial flight schools include instrument rating training.
6. Gain industry experience
Pilots of helicopters frequently list their experience in terms of flight hours. The majority of EMS hospital helicopter transport businesses demand that pilots have 1,000–1,500 hours of flight time. Applying for a position as a flight instructor at a flight school is one way to increase your flight hours for your resume or portfolio. By teaching other students how to fly, you can reinforce what you’ve learned and accrue the necessary flight time and experience. You can also gain experience in the industry by working as a tour guide, private charter, utility, offshore, or news pilot.
7. Undergo medical training
Since they fly with highly trained flight medical crew members, EMS helicopter pilots for hospitals typically don’t need any formal medical training. However, having a basic First Aid certification may give aspiring pilots a competitive edge. Typically, local community centers offer First Aid certification training.
8. Apply for jobs
It takes the right temperament, exceptional training, and exceptional skills to handle the fast-paced and high-pressure job of being an EMS helicopter pilot, so positions with air ambulance companies can be very competitive. Your chances of landing an interview can increase the more credentials, licenses, and experience you can list on your resume.
Skills for a helicopter pilot for hospitals
Common skills, characteristics and qualifications of EMS helicopter pilots include:
Salary and job outlook for a helicopter pilot for hospitals
Please note that Indeed is not affiliated with any of the businesses mentioned in this article.
#178 How I became an EMS Helicopter Pilot
FAQ
What does it take to be a medevac pilot?
Additionally, you will require at least 1,000 flight hours to obtain the majority of licenses required to apply for medevac pilot jobs. Most medevac businesses are very picky and demand a variety of licenses. To pilot a medevac flight, most people need an FAA medical license.
Do hospitals hire pilots?
Responding to medical emergencies, hospital helicopter pilots fly patients in critical condition to hospitals so they can receive the care they require. The position of an emergency medical services pilot is one that is highly regarded, but you must be a very experienced pilot to be eligible for it.
Are helicopter pilots in demand?
According to a Boeing study, there will be a shortage of approximately 60,000 helicopter pilots through 2037. There will be many job openings for people who are on the fence about putting in the time to become qualified pilots.
Do helicopter pilots make good money?
Helicopter Pilot Salary Ranges In the US, helicopter pilot salaries range from $14,109 to $376,520, with a median wage of $76,784. The middle 57% of Helicopter Pilots makes between $76,784 and $176,651, with the top 86% making $376,520
