Helicopter Pilot Maine

Technically Speaking: Helicopter Pilots Fly into Action
by Emily Kerr

Camera: distance shot, helicopter pilot's point of view: expanse of desert, running figures, exploding cars. Helicopter pilot swoops low, captures the scene for close-up. Another helicopter sweeps into view, this one caught on film, pilot landing safely in the action.

Helicopters are a big part of action movies, from choppy film clips taken from moving planes to helicopter pilots risking brave rescues. In real life, everyone looks up when a helicopter goes overhead. If you've ever considered a job as a helicopter pilot, it's never too late to learn.

Helicopter Pilot Training

While many helicopter pilots receive their training in the military, there are also numerous civilian helicopter schools throughout the United States. Men and women head to helicopter flight schools every day to become helicopter pilots, whether they want to work in the entertainment industry, for a private corporation, or simply enjoy fun and freedom in the air.

Some important characteristics of helicopter pilots include:

• good at math and interested in technology
• problem solvers who can act quickly and decisively
• good communicators
• able to concentrate for long periods of time

Helicopter flight school can help you attain a Commercial Rotorcraft License. All helicopter pilots must be licensed, and most helicopter pilot jobs require you to have over 1,000 hours in the air.

Helicopter Pilot Job Opportunities

Job opportunities for helicopter pilots include:

• offshore support and work
• fire fighting
• law enforcement
• agriculture work
• pipeline and utility support
• sightseeing tours
• executive transport
• fishing
• Emergency Medical Services
• search and rescue

According to the FAA, there were nearly 30,000 registered helicopter pilots in 2006, most of who worked in commercial aviation. Nevertheless, some helicopter pilots choose to work on a private level, offering guided, airborne tours over various historical monuments and geographic wonders. A select few also work in entertainment, using their expertise to capture movie footage, or even participate in the film!

Sources
Bureau of Labor Statistics
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)

About the Author
Emily Kerr is a freelance writer with over 350 articles in print. She writes about topics from careers to entertainment, technology to education, people to animals and everything in between.