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Helicopter pilot

Helicopter pilots fly single- and multi-engined helicopters for business, leisure or emergency services.

Average salary (a year)

£25,000 Starter

to

£45,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

39 to 41 variable

You could work

evenings / weekends / bank holidays as customers demand

How to become a helicopter pilot

You can get into this job through:

  • a university course
  • specialist courses run by private training organisations

University

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:

You'll need to apply for the higher level Class 1 medical certificate during your course to get your Commercial Pilot's Licence. If you wish, you can apply for the Class 1 certificate before your course starts.

As well as standard university fees, you will need to fund the flight training part of your course. Universities can advise you about this.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), including a science subject
  • 2 to 3 A levels for a degree

More information

Other routes

You can apply to join a course with a flight training organisation to get your Commercial Pilot Licence CPL(H). You'll need the CPL(H) to fly helicopters commercially.

To get onto a training course, you'll need:

  • 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), including English, maths, and science
  • to pass skills tests and a thorough medical assessment
  • a minimum of 155 hours' flying time

The number of flying hours needed may be lower for trained aeroplane pilots.

As a first step, you could train for a Private Pilot's Licence PPL(H) which allows you to fly for personal use and build up your flying hours. The flight training school would assess your skills, and could ask you to take some pre-course training to prove that you have the level of ability and skills needed for commercial training.

Training is expensive and you'll usually have to fund it yourself.

You could also join the army, Royal Navy or Royal Air Force as a trainee pilot.

More information

Registration

Career tips

If you're thinking of a career as a helicopter pilot, it's strongly recommended that you consider taking a pilot Aptitude Assessment before you start training.

You could also take a trial lesson with a flight school to make sure this is the right career for you.

Professional and industry bodies

You could join the The Honourable Company of Air Pilots, for professional development, training opportunities and to make industry contacts.

Further information

You can find out more about becoming a helicopter pilot from:

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

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

Restrictions and requirements

You'll need to:

  • be over 18 years of age
  • pass the Civil Aviation Authority medical before you can take a course - the medical includes tests on your fitness, hearing and vision

You'll need to meet certain nationality rules to apply. All jobs are open to British nationals and many are also open to Commonwealth citizens.

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

On a day-to-day basis your duties would include:

  • checking weather conditions and airspace restrictions along your planned route
  • filing flight plans with authorities
  • working out fuel requirements and maximum load
  • checking the helicopter's equipment and instruments
  • carrying out safety checks
  • gaining clearance from air traffic control
  • during flights, using instruments to navigate, control height and speed, and communicate with air traffic controllers.
  • after landing, completing paperwork before preparing for the next flight

Working environment

You could work on an aircraft or at an airport building.

Your working environment may be at height and you'll travel often.

Career path and progression

With experience, you could combine flying with ground duties, recruitment or training.

You could also start your own business providing recreational flights or freight services, or become a flying instructor.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

We can't find any apprenticeship vacancies in England for a helicopter pilot right now.

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Courses In England

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