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Helicopter Pilot

Kaiwhakarere Toparere

Helicopter pilots fly helicopters to transport goods, people including photographers, spread fertiliser, spray crops, lift items into difficult sites and provide air rescue and ambulance services. 

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Secondary education

There are no specific secondary education requirements to become a helicopter pilot, but NCEA Level 3 English, maths and physics are useful.

Study fields

Study levels

  • Certificate
  • Diploma

Useful experience

Useful experience for helicopter pilots includes:

  • experience in the industry you want to fly in
  • flying experience
  • customer service roles, logistics or staff management
  • engineering or mechanical work.

What you will do

Helicopter pilots may do some or all of the following:

  • prepare and check flight plans
  • do preflight checks of weather, equipment and the helicopter
  • calculate the amount of fuel needed for flights, and refuel the helicopter
  • explain flight and safety details to passengers
  • control the helicopter on the ground and in the air
  • provide ground support such as maintenance, tying down loads, and safety control.

Specialised helicopter pilots may also:

  • provide a commentary to tourists during scenic flights 
  • fly photographers so they can take photos or videos
  • instruct new pilots
  • apply fertiliser, bait or other chemicals to farmland or conservation areas
  • work with other emergency services (such as hospitals or search and rescue services)
  • muster animals such as sheep, horses or cattle
  • carry and dump large buckets of water to put out fires,
  • lift items into difficult sites

Skills and knowledge

Helicopter pilots need to have:

  • excellent flying skills
  • knowledge of flight theory and flight planning
  • skill in interpreting flight plans, weather and navigation data
  • understanding of civil aviation laws
  • knowledge of helicopter mechanics and aerodynamics.
Pay

New helicopter pilots often work part time.

Helicopter pilots with over 3 years’ experience usually earn

$55K-$200K

per year

Job opportunities
Good
Chances of getting a job as a helicopter pilot are good due to demand for their services.
Length of training
<2
years of training usually required.

Industry

Transport and Logistics

Helicopter pilots fly helicopters to transport goods, people including photographers, spread fertiliser, spray crops, lift items into difficult sites and provide air rescue and ambulance services. 

Similar jobs in this industry

Entry requirements

Commercial helicopter pilots

To become a commercial helicopter pilot you need to have a Commercial Pilot Licence - Helicopter, also known as CPL(H). To get this you need to:

  • hold a Private Pilot Licence for helicopters (PPL (H))
  • complete at least 150 hours of flying
  • pass a Class 1 medical exam, written exams, an English language test, and a flying test
  • satisfy the Civil Aviation Authority's fit and proper person requirements

You can gain your CPL(H) as part of completing a New Zealand Diploma in Aviation - Aeroplane and Helicopter (Level 5).

You need to pass the ADAPT pre-pilot screening test and attend a selection interview first.

Flying instructors

As well as a CPL(H), flying instructors need a Flight Instructor Rating (C Category).

Military helicopter pilots

To become a military helicopter pilot, you need to join the navy or airforce and complete their training. 

Chances of getting a job

Helicopter pilots in demand

Opportunities for helicopter pilots are good because:

  • older helicopter pilots are retiring
  • there's continuing demand for experienced agricultural helicopter pilots
  • there's a demand for scenic flight operators.

According to the Census, 534 helicopter pilots worked in New Zealand in 2018.

How to get your first helicopter pilot job

Your chances of getting a helicopter job are best if you: 

  • work as ground crew for a helicopter operator (often part-time) and gain flying hours
  • gain the necessary ratings to work as a helicopter flight instructor 
  • consider travelling overseas to work (you'll need an aviation licence for the country you want to work in).

Most helicopter pilots work for small companies

Most helicopter operators in New Zealand employ fewer than 10 staff. Some helicopter pilots are self-employed or work as flying instructors.

Helicopter pilots can also work for businesses involved in:

  • agriculture
  • forestry
  • oil and gas exploration
  • mustering (gathering livestock)
  • search and rescue
  • tourism.

Find out more about training

Aviation New Zealand
(04) 472 2707- www.aia.org.nz
Defence Careers
0800 136 723 - www.defencecareers.mil.nz
Service IQ
0800 863 693 - intel@serviceiq.org.nz - www.serviceiq.org.nz

Progression and specialisations

Helicopter pilots may progress to set up their own business, move into safety manager or operations manager roles, or become flying instructors.

Helicopter pilots may specialise in a number of roles, including:

Agricultural Helicopter Pilot
Agricultural helicopter pilots apply agricultural chemicals or fertiliser, flying close to the ground.
Air Force/Navy Helicopter Pilot
Air Force/Navy helicopter pilots fly military helicopters. 
Charter Helicopter Pilot
Charter helicopter pilots work in oil and gas, tourism and forestry areas.
Firefighter Helicopter Pilot
Firefighter helicopter pilots put out large fires, dropping water from buckets they carry.
Mustering Helicopter Pilot
Mustering helicopter pilots round up animals such as sheep and horses.
Rescue Helicopter Pilot
Rescue helicopter pilots work with search and rescue services and fly people to hospital. 

Working conditions

Helicopter pilots:

  • may work regular business hours, or weekends, or do on-call work
  • work in conditions that are often noisy, and can include hazards such as bad weather or smoke
  • may travel nationally or internationally for work.

Physical Requirements

Helicopter pilots need to have:

  • good hearing and eyesight (with or without corrective lenses)
  • good reflexes and co-ordination
  • a good level of fitness and health (to pass a medical exam every year).

Useful personal qualities

Helicopter pilots need to be:

  • responsible and safety-conscious
  • good at planning, thinking logically and following procedures
  • excellent at working under pressure
  • able to make quick, sound decisions
  • good leaders
  • skilled communicators
  • able to relate to people from a range of cultures and backgrounds
  • resilient.

Industry

Transport and Logistics

Helicopter pilots fly helicopters to transport goods, people including photographers, spread fertiliser, spray crops, lift items into difficult sites and provide air rescue and ambulance services. 

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