What do helicopter pilots do?
Helicopter pilots operate the flying controls, monitor the equipment and on larger helicopters, instruct and supervise crew members. They are responsible for the safety of all the passengers and crew.
They have to:
- file the flight plan, having checked for altitude, weather conditions and any airspace restrictions
- check instruments, payload (weight to be carried) and the fuel requirements
- request clearance for take-off from air traffic control
- operate controls and instruments during take-off, flight and landing
- keep radio contact with air traffic control and follow instructions
- use instruments to navigate, whether in conditions of good or poor visibility
- ensure the safety of passengers and keep them informed about the flight and flying conditions
- shut down the engines after landing
- write up the flight report and the duty hours log
Skill requirements
To become successful as a helicopter pilot you’ll need:
- the ability to operate and control equipment
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- knowledge of transport methods, costs and benefits
- customer service skills
- thinking and reasoning skills
- the ability to work well with others
- patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
- excellent verbal communication skills
- to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently
- the ability to learn new skills quickly
Types of helicopter pilot
There are various types of helicopter pilot you can become whether it be in the commercial or private sector, armed forces or emergency services. These can be quite varied careers, so it’s important to understand the differences in what will be expected, how you will be trained and who will fund the training. We’ve put together a quick list of the different roles to give you an understanding of what to expect.
Commercial
This could include providing tours for the public whether it’s flying over a beautiful natural landscape or a bustling city. It will probably be less stressful than a career within the armed forces or emergency services but still gives you lots of flying time.
If you’re going to apply to become a tour pilot it’s probably worth having an interest and knowledge of that particular area or city.
Private Pilot
The nature of your work in the private sector will depend on that of your employer. For example if you are going to work for a businessperson or a celebrity, you’ll need to be able to keep up with a fast-paced, and potentially high-octane lifestyle.
As a result, you may have less time to spend with your family, so this could potentially suit someone without these commitments. One of the biggest benefits in this sector is the pay, with some earning over £100,000 per year according to Glassdoor.
Air Ambulance
This is a role where you can literally save lives, and where mere minutes or seconds can make all the difference. The ability to work under pressure and around the clock will be essential.
This is a role where extra training and experience are likely to be required and you’ll probably need some basic first aid training. This is a high-pressured role but few can be as rewarding as that of an air ambulance pilot.
Police
According to the National Police Air Service their crews are assigned to more than 20,000 tasks every year, and provide aerial support to ground based officers across England and Wales. Working alongside Tactical Flight Officers, pilots work on a variety of police missions including:
- pursuit of stolen vehicles
- searching for missing persons/suspects
- support for firearms incidents
- support for large public events such as the London Marathon, Heads of State visits and large demonstrations.
RAF
As an RAF helicopter pilot your duties would include delivering troops and vital equipment within combat zones. As well as supporting Intelligence, Surveillance Target Acquisition and reconnaissance tasks. You would also contribute to the UK understanding of activities taking place across the world.
Helicopter pilot salary
Helicopter pilots can vary depending on who you work for, but it must be taken into account that unless you learn to fly within the armed forces then you will have to fund your own training prior to gaining employment which can cost between £15,000 – 35,000. So learning with the armed forces may be your best way into the profession and then later working in other sectors.
Below is a summary of salaries best upon both profession and experience:
Before you start training
Before you embark on any training which can be extremely expensive, we suggest you find out whether you like the experience of being in a helicopter and whether you have what it takes to become one. Below we detail some cost-effective ways you can achieve this.
Practice Flights
Before you embark on any pilot training it is worth seeing whether you like the experience of being in a helicopter flight. So why not book one our helicopter rides and tours to see whether you enjoy the feeling of being in the air and get some of idea of what it could be like before you undertake any training or further expenses.
Aptitude tests
Flight training can be very expensive so it’s important to know whether you have the aptitude to make a career of it before you invest large amounts of your time and money.
Aptitude tests have been specifically designed to indicate whether people have the potential to succeed in flying or whether professional standards would be hard to achieve or maintain.
The assessments are designed for those with little or no flying experience so you do not need any prior knowledge.
Becoming a helicopter pilot
Unless you plan to join the armed forces and receive helicopter pilot training as part of your service, then you will have to personally fund and organise your training. You’re probably wondering what education you will need prior to this and exactly how you become a qualified helicopter pilot. So we’ve detailed the requirements, qualifications and organisations which can help you obtain this.
University
Unless you plan to fly a helicopter for personal enjoyment, you may consider obtaining a degree. Most helicopter pilot employers require a degree in maths, physics or aeronautical engineering.
You could do a university degree in air transport or aviation, which includes helicopter pilot training with an approved flight training organisation.
To start a course, you'll need:
- A levels or equivalent qualifications
- a minimum of a Class 2 medical certificate
- to be over 18
As well as standard university fees, you will probably need to fund the flight training part of your course.
Flight training organisations
Attending a flight school could be a shorter route to obtaining a helicopter pilot’s licence as the programme focuses specifically on what it takes to become a pilot. This includes flight time and exam preparation for written, oral and flight exams. Student pilots study helicopter controls and practice take-off and landing manoeuvres. Pilots first learn with the use of simulators then with an instructor beside them. Eventually, solo flights take place when the instructor decides the student is ready.
Commercial Pilot Licence CPL(H)
To obtain a Commercial Pilot Licence CPL(H) you will need to:
- Complete at least 350 hours of theoretical knowledge training
- If you hold a Private Pilot’s Licence (PPL), you need only complete at least 200 hours of theoretical knowledge training
- Pass the CPL (H) theoretical knowledge examinations.
- You will need at least 135 hours of flying training including all progress tests, of which 5 hours may be instrument ground time
Private Pilot Licence PPL(H)
If you don’t already hold a Private Pilot Licence you will need to complete 45 hours of flight instruction on helicopters, 5 hours of which can have been completed in an approved flight simulator if your flying school has access to one, including at least:
- 25 hours of dual flight instruction.
- 10 hours of supervised solo flight time, including at least 5 hours of solo cross country flight time with at least 1 cross country flight of at least 185 km (100 NM) that includes 2 full stop landings at an aerodrome different from the departure aerodrome.
- If you are applying for a PPL(H) 35 of the 45 hours of flight instruction have to be completed on the same type of helicopter used for the skill test.
Army, RAF or Royal Navy?
Joining the armed forces can be a wonderful and rewarding career and if you’re looking to become a helicopter pilot it’s also the only place where you won’t have to fund your own training and you’ll also be paid a salary alongside this. Below you will find the requirements to be eligible to sign up the helicopter pilot training programmes within the different sectors of the armed forces.
Army Helicopter Pilots
To be eligible to apply you must:
- Pass health and fitness requirements
- Be a soldiers with a minimum rank of Lance Corporal, with at least four years’ service
- Pass citizenship requirements
- Be aged 18-28
- Pass flying aptitude tests
There is no cost to learning to become a helicopter pilot in the armed forces unlike in commercial aviation and you will paid to learn how to fly from the outset, which could be a big factor in learning where to train.
RAF Pilot Selection
To be eligible to apply you must:
- Be aged 17.5 – 25 years old
- Have at least 2 A2 Levels/3 Highers at Grade C or above
- Be a citizen of the United Kingdom or holder of dual UK/ other nationality
- Commit to minimum 12 years service
- Meet the health and fitness criteria
- Pass a Fitness test
- Be able to swim
Navy Helicopter Pilot Selection
To be eligible to apply you must:
- Be aged 17 to 26
- Obtain a minimum of 96 UCAS points. These can be accrued from either GCE A/AS levels (or equivalent) or National Diplomas (e.g. BTEC)
- Have at least 5 GCSEs at grades A-C (9-4) (or Scottish equivalent), which must include English and Mathematics at grade B/6 or above
- Be a British and/or Dual British/USA only who has lived in the UK continuously for the 5 years prior to applying
- A minimum height of 151.5cm
- A Body Mass Index (BMI) between 18 and 28 (between 17 and 27 if under 18)
- Pass the Naval Swimming Test
FAQs
What sort of maths skills do I need?
For entry onto a helicopter pilot course you would normally need five GCSE’s(A-C) including maths or physics. And some courses require a degree in one of these subjects, but it’s best to check with the particular course provider.
Maths skills allow pilots to solve problems such as calculating distance and acceleration to estimate flight time and fuel consumption.
Do I need relevant work experience?
You don’t need any specific work experience to begin training but it’s worth taking a practice flight to see if you enjoy the feeling of being in a helicopter and taking an aptitude test to see whether you have the potential to become a helicopter pilot before spending large amounts of money on training.
How long does it take to become a helicopter pilot?
To obtain a Private Pilot’s Licence you will need to complete a minimum of 45 hours, plus 9 multiple choice written exams, a skills test and an oral radio test.
For a Commercial Pilots License you will be required to undertake at least 150 hours of flying training including all progress tests.
Is becoming a helicopter pilot worth it?
Becoming a helicopter pilot requires extensive training, taking hundreds of hours and costing tens of thousands of pounds, but can be a very rewarding and lucrative job, whether it’s saving lives in the emergency services or armed forces, or taking tourists around glamorous locations. Senior pilots can earn over £100,000 in the private sectors, with an average pilots salary in the emergency services of around £60,000 for experienced pilots.
How hard is it to get a helicopter pilot job?
The role does not guarantee the high salaries and clear career trajectory that airline pilots expect. Most helicopter pilots have to settle for short-term jobs, lower pay and multiple relocations. But on the plus side, they suffer less from jet lag, are usually home every evening and get to fly in some of the world's most beautiful places.
How much does it cost to become a helicopter pilot?
If you train with a private flying school depending on the type of helicopter you learn how to fly, it can cost on average between £15,000 - £35,000.
Summary
Hopefully by now you’ve got more of an idea of how to become a helicopter pilot, what it entails in terms of training, what the rewards are and how much it will cost you. Although a potentially challenging and stressful career, few can be as satisfying as helping to save people’s lives as part of the armed forces and emergency services or you may prefer to take in the incredible sights that would come with the job of a helicopter tour pilot.
If you’ve never been on a helicopter flight before then we suggest you take a practice flight and an aptitude test before submitting your time and money to what can be very expensive training. Why not check out our helicopter rides and tours to give you an idea of whether you will love or hate the experience of being in a helicopter.