Helicopter pilots fly single- or multi-engined helicopters for a range of business, leisure and emergency purposes. Examples include taking rig workers to offshore oil platforms and piloting onshore charter services for business clients.

Pilots are responsible for the safety of the craft and any passengers or cargo, and may work alone or in a captain and co-pilot team on larger helicopters.

Pilots tasks before a flight include:

• checking weather conditions and airspace restrictions on their planned route
• filing flight plans
• calculating fuel requirements and maximum loads
• carrying out checks (including safety checks) on equipment and instruments.

When they are satisfied everything is ready, they request clearance to take off from air traffic control.

During the flight, pilots use a range of instruments to navigate, control height and speed, and communicate with air traffic control. After they land, they complete all necessary post-flight paperwork, including a duty hours log before preparing for the next flight.

Hours and Environment

There are strict regulations governing maximum flying hours but work can include days, nights and weekends. Some jobs may involve short, overnight periods away from home.

As a pilot, you spend long hours sitting, often in cramped, noisy conditions. If you work as an offshore pilot, you must wear a survival suit.

Skills and Interests

To be a helicopter pilot, you need:

• to take responsibility for the aircraft, crew and  passengers
• the ability to concentrate and pay attention to detail
• the ability to remain calm in a crisis and act decisively
• good communication skills, both written and spoken
• the ability to work alone and as part of a team
• sound judgement.

Entry

To be a helicopter pilot you must be over 18 and licensed by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). There is no upper age limit to obtaining a licence but you must pass the CAA's stringent medical requirements.

Before embarking on training, you should consider taking a medical assessment in case you have any conditions which would prevent you from flying. Flight training schools can supply information about Authorised Medical Examiners and the CAA can also give details of local GPs who carry out the assessments.

Commercial helicopter pilots require a Commercial Pilot Licence (Helicopter) – CPL(H) – or the more advanced Airline Transport Pilot (Helicopter) Licence – ATPL(H), which is necessary for piloting two-crew helicopters.

You normally need five GCSEs (A-C)/S grades (1-3), including English and mathematics or physics, or equivalent, for entry onto a CPL(H) training course. All candidates must pass aptitude tests.

Training for a commercial licence is expensive but self-funded training is common. Company sponsorship schemes crop up only very occasionally . It may be possible to sign up and train with the armed forces (see the Army, Royal Navy and Royal Airforce job profiles).

You can train for a Private Pilot's Licence (Helicopter) - PPL(H) - before moving onto the modular commercial licence course outlined in the Training section below. This is also an expensive option, although it would demonstrate your commitment to the career if you were to apply for a company sponsorship.

See the British Helicopter Advisory Board (BHAB) website in Further Information for more details about this career.

Training

You can obtain the CPL(H) by completing an integrated course approved by the CAA or by gaining a Private Pilot Licence (Helicopter) and then completing extra modular training, approved by the CAA. The BHAB provides a list of  approved training providers on their website in Further Information.

Integrated course
This is done full-time and usually takes around 12 months to complete. It combines ground and flight training and is run by a Flight Training Organisation approved by the CAA. The aim of the course is to train you to the level of proficiency needed for a CPL(H), but not the Instrument Rating or any further specialisation, for example aerial work activities. It consists of a minimum of 135 hours' flight training and 500 hours' theoretical knowledge, including aviation law, communications and meteorology.

Modular training
If you already hold a Private Pilot's Licence (Helicopter) – PPL(H), you can take this route to reach the level needed to obtain a CPL(H). You can do this course on a flexible basis and at your own pace. As a guide, the full-time option takes around 9 months. You must complete a minimum of 155 hours' flying experience, a 35-hour commercial flying course and 500 hours' of theoretical knowledge.

All candidates sit nine written examinations and take a skill test.

ATPL(H) licence
This advanced licence certifies that you have reached the level of proficiency needed to operate as a co-pilot on multi-pilot, multi-engine helicopters in commercial air transport. To achieve the licence, you need a minimum of 1000 hours' total flying experience, including 350 hours' on multi-crew, multi-engined aircraft. You also have to pass Instrument Rating tests.

For more details about the training requirements for licences, see the BHAB website or contact the CAA for a copy of the publication, 'Licensing Administration and Standardisation Operating Requirements and Safety (LASORS)'.

Opportunities

Most pilots join helicopter companies as co-pilots but demand for new pilots fluctuates from year to year.

You may need to join a different company or relocate to progress to a captain's position.

Once you have experience, you can combine flying with ground duties, spending some time on administration, recruitment or training. You may be able to start your own business, with common options including air taxi, recreational flying or freight services. There may be some opportunities to fly corporate aircraft or become a flying instructor.

Annual Income

Figures are intended as a guideline only.

There is no set income for helicopter pilots and it is usually determined by the type of work.
Newly qualified helicopter pilots in a commercial role can earn around £25,000 a year.
Helicopter pilots who captain passenger-carrying craft may earn between £45,000 and £60,000 a year.

Helicopter pilots may be paid allowances for overnight stays or visits to inhospitable areas.

Further information

RH6 0YR Graham Suite, West Entrance
Fairoaks Airport
Chobham
Woking
Surrey
GU24 8HX
Tel: 01276 856100