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Careers
Helicopter Pilots Are in Demand!
The number of active Rotorcraft pilots has continued to increase and will continue to do so. In 2000, there were 7,775 active pilots. This number grew to 12,290 pilots by 2007, a 6.8% growth rate. The FAA predicts that this growth rate will be even higher between 2007 and 2010 while the number of active private fixed wing pilots will decrease by 1.9%.
Many Vietnam era pilots have retired in the last 5 years; most of the rest will retire in the next 5 years: The majority of these pilots hold senior positions with good salaries. As they retire there will be a large demand for qualified helicopter pilots. Services requiring helicopters are expanding: EMS units are spreading to smaller and more rural towns, more news stations are finding that an electronic news gathering (ENG) helicopter is a must to compete, businessman are flying more and so on. As these helicopters are acquired, the need for qualified pilots will continue to grow.
The greatest aspect of becoming a helicopter pilot is that the industry is so diverse you can find employment in almost any field you pursue with intent. Some of these fields include but are definitely not limited to:
• EMS (Emergency Medical Services/Life Flight)
• ENG (Electronic News Gathering, Radio and TV news services)
• Wild Land Fire Fighting
• Low Impact Logging Operations
• USGS (Seismic and Geologic Survey)
• Search and Rescue
• Tuna Boat Operations (Spotter Aircraft)
• Police/Sheriff
• Corporate Charter
• Tourism
• Air Taxi Transportation
• US Forest Service (Wildlife Survey)
• Oil Industry (on and off-shore transportation/pipeline patrol)
• Department of Homeland Security
• US Border Patrol
• Heli Skiing
• Construction Industry (Long-line and Service)
• Flight Instruction
• Factory Test Pilot
• Photography
• Movie Industry (Film and stunt work)
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