Helicopter Pilot

In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.

The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used. Here is how this occupation has been classified over time:

• 2006 NOC: Pilots (2271.1) 
• 2006 NOC-S: Air Pilots, Flight Engineers and Flying Instructors (C171) 
• 2011 NOC: Air pilots, flight engineers and flying instructors (2271) 

Helicopters are used to:

• take aerial photographs
• do aerial surveys of wildlife
• fight fires
• take supplies and equipment to construction sites or oil and gas lease sites
• support offshore oilfields
• transport business executives, tourists, heli-hikers or heli-skiiers
• provide emergency medical support and take patients to hospitals
• conduct search and rescue work
• conduct avalanche control
• inspect power lines and pipelines
• support heli-logging
• do coastal rescue and surveillance
• police and enforce regulations
• assist with tree planting
• spray crops (for example, pest and insect control)
• conduct electronic news gathering.

Helicopter pilots’ duties and working conditions can vary a lot from one job to another. In general, they:

• determine flight needs
• contact NAV Canada for weather updates
• check fuel supply and refuel aircraft as needed
• conduct pre-flight inspections
• file flight plans
• make sure passengers and cargo are properly loaded
• talk to passengers about safety
• fly the helicopter
• use ground landmarks, compasses, radio directional equipment, GPS, and maps to navigate
• stay in contact with other aircraft and NAV Canada while in flight
• stay in touch with clients on the ground
• keep records
• manage job logistics (such as fuel locations, required equipment, lodging, meals and ground support).

Flying a helicopter involves both the hands and feet. The right hand controls the direction of flight. The left hand controls altitude. Foot pedals point the helicopter in the right direction.

Good eyesight is needed to scan the instrument panel and navigate the helicopter.

Helicopter pilots who work in remote areas often are away from home for long periods. Sometimes they work in severe weather. Their work hours can be irregular. Some days they may be on call.

They often load and unload cargo. The work can be stressful. Some clients can be difficult. Flying requires constant alertness. Flight schedules can be tight with deadlines.

Helicopter pilots need to possess:

• a good sense of spatial awareness
• a positive and professional attitude
• maturity and emotional stability
• good judgment
• the ability to make decisions and act quickly
• good health and good vision (with or without corrective lenses)
• good reflexes and hand-eye coordination
• the ability to work with little or no supervision for long periods of time
• the ability to adapt to change
• the ability to work and get along well with a wide range of people (from labourers to executives).

They should enjoy:

• flying aircraft and related equipment
• evaluating aircraft performance
• directing the work of others
• supervising all aspects of planning flights (including managing the support crew and clients).

Some helicopter pilots work full time. Others work on a seasonal basis from spring until fall. They may work on a contract basis.

Helicopter pilots are part of the larger 2011 National Occupational Classification 2271: Air pilots, flight engineers and flying instructors. In Alberta, 78% of people employed in this classification work in the Transportation and Warehousing [pdf] industry.

The employment outlook [pdf] in this occupation will be influenced by a wide variety of factors including:

• trends and events that affect overall employment (especially in the Transportation and Warehousing industry)
• location in Alberta
• employment turnover (work opportunities that come up when people leaving existing positions)
• occupational growth (work opportunities that come up when new positions are created)
• size of the occupation.

In Alberta, the C171: Air Pilots, Flight Engineers and Flying Instructors occupational group is expected to have an above-average annual growth of 1.9% from 2016 to 2020. In addition to job openings created by employment turnover, 57 new positions are forecasted to be created within this occupational group each year.

Employment turnover is generally low in this occupation but is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.

Transport Canada website: www.tc.gc.ca

For more information on career planning, education and jobs call the Alberta Supports Contact Centre toll-free at 1-877-644-9992 or 780-644-9992 in Edmonton, or visit an Alberta Supports Centre near you.