What does a helicopter pilot do?
A helicopter pilot is responsible for operating a helicopter engine to transport people and materials from one place to another. Helicopter pilots usually work in industrial and government settings, assisting with rescue operations, medical deliveries, and gathering aerial video and photos for data purposes. They inspect the condition of aircraft controls and components, ensuring its safety and efficiency during operations to avoid hazards and delays. A helicopter pilot determines flight plans with utmost consideration with weather forecasts and aircraft stability.
Helicopter pilot responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real helicopter pilot resumes:
- Serve as a professional pilot managing a flight crew and ensuring safe transportation of VIP's internationally.
- Train in robinson r22 and r44
- Ensure compliance with all OSHA and EPA regulations.
- Operate in IFR and marginal weather conditions between multiple states.
- Maintain program compliance with OSHA, DOD, and other local agencies as required by regulations.
- Ferry and sightseeing flights done at request of management in accordance with 14 CFR part 91.
- Interface with DoD agencies, federal government agencies, and the defense industry in the execution of the above duties.
- Train and educate selected personnel in the emergency reclamation of down aircraft and successfully conduct one combat reclamation of a helicopter.
- Develop regulations and procedures for airlift management.
- Ferry and sightseeing flights done at request of management in accordance with 14 CFR part 91.
Helicopter pilot skills and personality traits
We calculated that 18% of Helicopter Pilots are proficient in FAA, PIC, and Pilot-In-Command. They’re also known for soft skills such as Communication skills, Problem-solving skills, and Quick reaction time.
We break down the percentage of Helicopter Pilots that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- FAA, 18%
Follow all FAA regulations pertaining to helicopter flight, as well as procedures outlined in the FAR.
- PIC, 18%
Operate as a Part 135 PIC during air ambulance EMS patient carrying flights.
- Pilot-In-Command, 17%
Served as a Pilot-In-Command of a UH-1 (HUEY) Helicopter.
- IFR, 7%
Flight hours: 2,300 Operation at Sea Days: 730 IFR hours: 450
- Combat, 6%
Trained and educated selected personnel in the emergency reclamation of downed aircraft and successfully conducted one combat reclamation of a helicopter.
- Helicopter Operations, 5%
Trained local volunteer EMS ground crews on helicopter operations and landing zone selection/preparation procedures.
Most helicopter pilots use their skills in "faa," "pic," and "pilot-in-command" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential helicopter pilot responsibilities here:
Communication skills. The most essential soft skill for a helicopter pilot to carry out their responsibilities is communication skills. This skill is important for the role because "pilots must speak clearly when conveying information to air traffic controllers and other crew members." Additionally, a helicopter pilot resume shows how their duties depend on communication skills: "manage flight operations through radio communications with up to six aircraft to ensure safety and accountability. "
Problem-solving skills. Another essential skill to perform helicopter pilot duties is problem-solving skills. Helicopter pilots responsibilities require that "pilots must be able to identify complex problems and figure out appropriate solutions." Helicopter pilots also use problem-solving skills in their role according to a real resume snippet: "design solutions to avoid utilities along alignment checking, quantities survey of structure metro for estimation. "
Quick reaction time. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of helicopter pilots is quick reaction time. This skill is critical to many everyday helicopter pilot duties, as "pilots must respond quickly, and with good judgment, to any impending danger." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "accumulated over 1000 hours of flight time (in excess of 120 combat hours). "
The three companies that hire the most helicopter pilots are:
- Metro Aviation47 helicopter pilots jobs
- Duke Energy3 helicopter pilots jobs
- Blue Hawaiian Helicopters3 helicopter pilots jobs
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Compare different helicopter pilots
Helicopter pilot vs. Check airman
An aviator, also known as a pilot, operates aircraft for commercial or private use. Although their duties vary upon their company or industry of employment, it usually entails performing regular inspections before and after every flight, coordinating with staff, maintaining an active communication line with air traffic controller, determining routes and schedules, analyzing flight plans, and monitoring the weather conditions. Moreover, as an aviator, it is essential to be proactive and professional in dealing with issues and concerns.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between helicopter pilots and check airman. For instance, helicopter pilot responsibilities require skills such as "faa," "combat," "helicopter operations," and "patrol." Whereas a check airman is skilled in "line checks," "recurrent training," "airmen," and "cargo operations." This is part of what separates the two careers.
On average, check airmen reach higher levels of education than helicopter pilots. Check airmen are 6.6% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.8% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Helicopter pilot vs. Air ambulance captain
Each career also uses different skills, according to real helicopter pilot resumes. While helicopter pilot responsibilities can utilize skills like "pic," "pilot-in-command," "ifr," and "combat," air ambulance captains use skills like "single pilot," "patient transport," "lear," and "medical equipment."
Air ambulance captains earn higher levels of education than helicopter pilots in general. They're 5.5% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.8% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Helicopter pilot vs. Captain/check airman
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from helicopter pilot resumes include skills like "pilot-in-command," "ifr," "combat," and "helicopter operations," whereas a captain/check airman is more likely to list skills in "passenger safety," "line checks," "unscheduled," and "training programs. "
Captain/check airmen typically earn similar educational levels compared to helicopter pilots. Specifically, they're 1.7% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.8% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Helicopter pilot vs. Aviator
Types of helicopter pilot
Updated January 8, 2025
