Helicopter Pilot
Helicopter pilots transport passengers and freight by helicopter, an aircraft that can move in any direction at varying speeds or remain stationary in the air.
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:
Starting | $21.81 |
---|---|
Overall | $33.15 |
Top | $52.04 |
Interest in driving - operating fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters to provide services such as search-and-rescue operations, aerial surveying and spraying and crop dusting
Interest in analyzing information to test new aircraft to evaluate performance
Interest in speaking with crews to direct their activities during flights as captain or co-pilot and in performing captain's duties as first officer, if required; in training other pilots on new equipment, and in preparing them for examinations to validate and upgrade existing licences
The interest code helps you figure out if you’d like to work in a particular occupation.
It’s based on the Canadian Work Preference Inventory (CWPI), which measures 5 occupational interests: Directive, Innovative, Methodical, Objective and Social.
Each set of 3 interest codes is listed in order of importance.
A code in capital letters means it’s a strong fit for the occupation.
A code in all lowercase letters means the fit is weaker.
Helicopters are used for purposes such as:
Helicopter pilots' duties and working conditions can vary a great deal from one job to another but, in general, they:
Operating a helicopter involves controlling the direction of flight with your right hand, controlling altitude with your left hand, pushing pedals with your feet to keep the machine pointing in the right direction and, at the same time, scanning the instrument panel and navigating the helicopter. Good co-ordination and many hours of practise are required to master these skills.
Helicopter pilots employed in remote areas often are away from home for extended periods of time and sometimes work in severe weather conditions. Their hours of work can be irregular and, some days, they may be on call.
Helicopter pilots often load and unload cargo. Dealing with difficult customers and the need to be constantly alert, combined with tight flight schedules or deadlines, can be stressful.
Helicopter pilots need the following characteristics:
They should enjoy operating aircraft and related equipment, evaluating aircraft performance and directing the work of others.
Helicopter pilots must be licensed by Transport Canada. The 100-hour course leading to a Commercial Helicopter Pilot Licence takes three to six months to complete and costs range from $50,000 to $86,000 depending on the type of helicopter used for training. The cost of a 60-hour course for a helicopter endorsement if the candidate already has a Commercial Fixed Wing Licence is somewhat less.
A high school diploma is a definite asset but not required. Applicants for a commercial licence must be at least 18 years of age. However, some trainers prefer prospective helicopter pilots to be somewhat older because the work requires considerable maturity and emotional stability. Applicants must be able to read and write in English and pass a Transport Canada Category 1 medical examination.
The following schools offer programs or courses that are related to this occupation but are not required to enter the field.
For a broad list of programs and courses that may be related to this occupation try searching using keywords.
Certification is not required, as there is currently no legislation regulating this occupation.
Some helicopter pilots are employed full time. Others work on a seasonal basis from spring until fall or 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 in this occupation will be influenced by a wide variety of factors including:
Over 3,000 Albertans are employed in the Air pilots, flight engineers and flying instructors occupational group. This group is expected to have an above-average annual growth of 1.9% from 2016 to 2020. As a result, 57 new positions are forecast to be created each year, in addition to job openings created by employment turnover. Note: As helicopter pilots form only a part of this larger occupational group, only some of these newly created positions will be for helicopter pilots.
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.
Salaries may be higher working in logging or heli-skiing.
Wages* | Low (5th percentile) | High (95th percentile) | Average | Median |
---|---|---|---|---|
Starting | $12.20 | $47.09 | $21.81 | $19.23 |
Overall | $23.22 | $62.50 | $33.15 | $28.87 |
Top | $28.85 | $75.00 | $52.04 | $50.00 |
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* All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production) and other forms of compensation.
Good Reliability, represents a CV of between 6.01% and 15.00% and/or fewer than 30 survey observations and/or if survey observations represent less than 50% of all estimated employment for the occupation.
Public Administration | $104,882 |
---|---|
ALL INDUSTRIES | $64,265 |
Transportation and Warehousing | $62,736 |
Educational Services | $42,816 |
Transport Canada website: www.tc.gc.ca
For more information on career planning, education and jobs, visit the Alberta Learning Information Service (ALIS) website, call the Alberta Career Information Hotline toll-free at 1-800-661-3753 or 780-422-4266 in Edmonton, or visit an Alberta Works Centre near you.
Updated Apr 10, 2014. The information contained in this profile is current as of the dates shown. Salary, employment outlook and educational program information may change without notice. It is advised that you confirm this information before making any career decisions.