However, other routes to building flight time include towing banners, flying jumpers and flying traffic watch. That being said, the pilots that chose to fly up there seem to love it.įlight instructing really is the best way to get to the airlines as it provides the most steady source of hours while also providing a decent pay check (if you work for the right school). Couple this with very unpredictable weather and you end up with jobs that many of the more seasoned pilots will not take. What I can tell you though is that Alaska flying is mountainous flying and therefore has an inherent danger that other flying does not. I have never flown in Alaska, but I have known several pilots who have. Getting to know as many people in the industry as possible can open up more doors and lead to more opportunities.Those jobs that you have read about typically have lower time requirements because they are either located in undesirable places or because they are more dangerous than your typical flying job. It’s also a good idea to network as much as possible. Eventually, you will find a job like all other helicopter pilots with low hours before you have. The key is of course to be persistent while also not losing heart.
But we can say this for virtually any other industry too. The demand for helicopter pilots isn’t so great that you will be able to just walk into a job. Is It Hard to Get a Job As a Helicopter Pilot With Low Hours? It’s, therefore, best to build up more hours and experience by working as a flight instructor or tour pilot before you apply. If you want to work as an AG pilot, the more experience you have, the better. However, be aware that it is some of the most dangerous and grueling flying you can do. The ability to refuel, and mix and load chemicals right on the field is another big plus.ĭepending on the operation, in agricultural helicopter work, you may make as many as 50-60 takeoffs and landings in a day. Helicopters are also much better suited to areas surrounded by obstacles like trees or power lines, and are more friendly to the public as they eliminate the need to turn over roads and houses. Helicopters have a unique role to play in the industry due to their unique ability to get into tight areas that are either difficult or impossible to spray with airplanes. Agricultural WorkĪgricultural work isn’t just limited to fixed-wing aircraft. If you don’t live near any tourist hotspots, you also have to be willing to relocate. While working as a tour pilot is a good option, keep in mind that the work can often be seasonal to coincide with the tourist season. One of the best things about becoming a tour pilot is that it can be both a rewarding and enjoyable experience.Įvery passenger, many of whom have never stepped foot inside a helicopter, will be excited and smiling from takeoff to landing as you show them the sights.
Tour Pilotīecoming a helicopter tour pilot is another popular route to go down. Working as a flight instructor is rarely something a helicopter pilot will do for many years, but there is no better way to get started making money and quickly gain the experience necessary to apply for higher-paying jobs. Of course, if during your training you demonstrated that you were a good, hardworking, responsible student, it’s more likely that you will be hired. There are many flight schools that prefer to hire their students as instructors, so this also means that finding that all-important first job can be easier. Working as a helicopter flight instructor also has the benefit of allowing you to efficiently build up your flight hours and gain more experience while also getting paid. This time, though, you will be going back as a flight instructor.īecoming a flight instructor is the most common path helicopter pilots go down once they start looking for jobs, primarily because it is one of the very few jobs available to low-hour helicopter pilots. If you’re just done with flight school – well, it’s probably best you go back. While finding a job is by no means a walk in the park, there are usually at least a few job roles that are open to low-hour pilots. Many helicopter pilots just out of flight school worry that finding a low hour helicopter pilot job is going to be challenging. Beginning your journey as a paid helicopter pilot can be an exciting yet nerve-wracking experience.
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