Expert: David A. NewMyer - 3/24/2010

Question
Hi David
I am currently attending Mount Royal University in Canada taking general studies and I am interested in a career in helicopter aviation. I am wondering where/how to begin pursuing this career. Preferably I would like to become a pilot in a field that involves travel. What jobs are out there that match this criteria and how do I go about getting a job as a helicopter pilot?

Thanks Allan

Answer
Hi, Allan:

First of all, keep in mind that you are now bit by "the aviation bug" and, once it gets into your blood, it is hard to get rid of!

Second, remember that helicopter aviation is, proportionately, a smaller overall portion of aviation as compared to fixed wing aircraft aviation.  In the USA, for example (sorry, I do not have Canadian statistics at my fingertips!), there are just over 10,000 helicopters operating in the country out of a total of over 229,000 aircraft (not counting airliners), or about 4.4% of the total.  I think that gives you a sense of proportion of the jobs available.

Furthermore, the role of civil helicopter aviation is somewhat more restricted than the use of fixed wing aircraft in terms of some applications.  For example, there are few if any helicopters used in any kind of scheduled airline operation in either Canada or the USA.  Therefore, their roles are in such things as:

Law enforcement including border and customs patrol application
Fire fighting
Pipeline and other inspection services
Tour operations
Corporate and business applications
Oil and other mineral exploration
Coast guard and rescue
Medical/patient transport

Beyond civil applications, there are, of course, military applications.  And, if you REALLY want to go with helicopter aviation as a career, it is much less expensive to begin by going through the military for your training and to obtain your beginning experience.  The training is excellent and, on top of that, the work experience with the military will make you an excellent pilot.  So, as for beginning a career as a helicopter pilot, going into the military (while not an easy step on some fronts) is, long term, the fastest and least expensive way to get your initial helicopter flight training and initial operating experience.

To do all that in the civilian side is much more expensive since you will pay for the training yourself ($12,000 to $14,000 US for a Private Pilot certificate in a helicopter)....then, once you have your basic ratings, the question is:  Who will hire you to give you your initial helicopter flight experience when all you have is your ratings and certificates with little experience?

As far as becoming a pilot in a field that involves travel, certainly the military will give you that!  On the civil side, becoming a pilot in general will involve travel, either in the USA or in Canada.  The opportunities to fly are not normally the kind that will keep you in one place.  Here in the USA, for example, there are airlines based all over the USA that hire pilots....from Dallas to Phoenix to Chicago to Memphis to Louisville to Atlanta to Seattle, etc.  Also, many airlines base their pilots at out-bases (hubs where they fly).  So, that means that you might move around to fly in different parts of the USA depending on where a particular company needs pilots.  And, the larger airline companies fly all over the globe, so, that kind of company will take you to Tokyo or to Frankfurt, Germany or to the Middle east or to Latin America.

The same is true in corporate aviation or even in a beginning job in flight instruction:  There are jobs in all parts of the nation.

You might want to look at a document on the website of the Federal Aviation Administration entitled the FAA AEROSPACE FORECAST, 2010-2030.  It is posted at www.faa.gov and then just click on "data and research" at the top of the main page and then go to Forecasts......  It will give you a sense of where aviation is going in the USA.....there is likely a similar document produced by the Canadian government.....

I hope that this answer helps~!

Best of luck to you,

David A. NewMyer