Editor’s note: The following article is not intended to be a ranking, but is only to serve as a list of possible options. As the saying goes, your mileage may vary.
Are you looking to find a helicopter pilot job in Texas? Hundreds of companies hire helicopter pilots in Texas every year and now, more than ever, are looking for experienced pilots to combat the pilot shortage. We took a look at the companies hiring helicopter pilots, here are our top picks.
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Quicklook: Best Helicopter Pilot Jobs in Texas
- Best Medical Transportation Jobs: Med-Trans Corporation
- Best Demonstration Pilot Jobs: Bell-Textron Helicopter
- Best for Time Building: Veracity Aviation
- Best for Long Term Careers: FlightSafety International
- Best for Vacation Opportunities: Westwind Helicopters Inc.
Commercial Helicopter Pilot Requirements in Texas
To become a commercial pilot certificate in the state of Texas you must:
- Hold a current commercial helicopter pilot certificate
- Be at least 18 years old
- Read, speak, write, and understand the English language
- Hold at least a second-class medical certificate
- Obtain a minimum of 40 hours of helicopter flight training and 10 hours of ground instruction
- Satisfactorily pass an FAA-required flight test
After all the requirements are completed you may apply for helicopter jobs within the state.
Best Helicopter Pilot Jobs – Texas
When choosing the best helicopter job for you in Texas, it is best to understand what kind of industry you are looking to get into, if this is a time building stepping stone and the size of the company. Once you have gauged these metrics, you can look into jobs that fit the bill. Here are our top picks for the best helicopter jobs in Texas.
Med-Trans Corporation
Med-Trans Corporation employs helicopter pilots to provide medical air transportation services to its customers. Helicopter pilots for Med-Trans work continuous shifts 7 days on then 7 days off.
Location: Odessa, DFW, Fort Stockton, San Angelo, Seminole, Lubbock, and Amarillo
Contact Info:
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (866) 365-3843
Employees: 700+
Company Revenue: $145 million
Salary or Per-Trip Price: $70,782 – $93,500 per year
Benefits:
- 7 days off every other week
- $15,000 Sign-on Bonus
- $40,000 Retention Bonus after 3 years
- On Duty Housing
Disadvantages:
- Not home every night
- 2,000 Total Flight Hours – 500 more than commercial minimums
Bell-Textron Helicopter
Bell Helicopter is one of the largest helicopter manufacturers. Bell looks for experimental and demo pilots on a regular basis to support new airframe research and development. Although the minimums to be considered for these jobs are high, Bell is known for paying its pilots well and having great benefits packages.
Location: Fort Worth, TX
Company Website: Bell Helicopter
Contact Info:
Phone: 817-280-2011
Employees: 8,800 employees
Company Revenue: $2 billion
Salary or Per-Trip Price: $91,696 – $129,318 per year
Benefits:
- Relocation assistance available
- First shift – home each night
Disadvantages:
- At least 2000-2500 hours helicopter flight time – 500-1,000 more than commercial minimums
Veracity Aviation
Veracity Aviation is a helicopter pilot training school that hires dozens of flight instructors a year out of flight school with as low as 500 hours. Four locations give CFIs options as to where they build time. For longer term career opportunities, Veracity also hires for higher positions such as chief pilot and base chiefs.
Location: Seguin, Georgetown, Pearland, Fort Worth
Company Website: Veracity Aviation
Contact Info:
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 817-515-7100
Employees: <100 employees
Company Revenue: $20 million
Salary or Per-Trip Price: $36,000 – $48,000 a year
Benefits:
- Collegiate work schedule with federal holidays off
- 401k Matching
- Bonus pay for flight and ground instruction
- Additional pay through the university at the Fort Worth location
Disadvantages:
- Weight limit of 200 lbs
- No relocation assistance
FlightSafety International
FlightSafety International is a professional aviation training company and supplier of flight simulators, visual systems, and displays to commercial, government, and military organizations. It provides training for pilots year round at its four locations within Texas. The competitive salary and benefits make FlightSafety a great option for those looking for a long term helicopter pilot position.
Location: DFW Airport, Fort Worth, Houston, San Antonio
Company Website: FlightSafety International
Contact Info:
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 316-220-3150
Employees: 4,300
Company Revenue: $1 billion
Salary or Per-Trip Price: $84,000 – $140,000 per year
Benefits:
- Great benefits and 401k matching
- Location options
Disadvantages:
- Preferred: FAR Part 135 or military training experience
- 2,500 hours of total flight time – 1,000 hours more than commercial minimums
Westwind Helicopters Inc.
Westwind Helicopters, Inc., is a On Demand Part 135 Operator with years of experience operating both on and offshore in Texas, Louisiana, and the Gulf of Mexico. The main responsibility of its helicopter pilots is to transport workers to and from the oil barges in the Gulf of Mexico. The schedule for a Westwind helicopter pilot is 2 weeks on 2 weeks off.
Location: Santa Fe, TX
Company Website: Westwind Helicopters Inc.
Contact Info:
Phone: 409-925-7300
Employees: >50
Company Revenue: $45 million
Salary or Per-Trip Price: $75,000 – $95,000 per year & $5 per flight hour flown bonus
Benefits:
- Offshore Bonus of $60 for each night spent offshore
- Two weeks off every two weeks.
- Relocation is not required, company housing is provided while on duty
Disadvantages:
- 2,000 hours Pilot in Command, 5,000 preferred
- Not home each night
How Long Does it Take To Become a Commercial Helicopter Pilot?
The timeframe it takes to become a helicopter pilot depends a lot on how much time you are devoted to training and where you complete your training. To begin flight training with no experience, to get a commercial helicopter certificate training may take 6-12 months if you are attending training full time. For part time pilots, a commercial pilot certificate can take longer, 12-24 months.
What to Consider When Looking for Helicopter Pilot Jobs
When considering helicopter pilot jobs, look out for types of companies and if they can offer job security, the safety protocols of the company, how much you will make, and the location of the position. Choose the position that will meet your requirements in each of those areas before applying.
Job Security
Job security is important to understand and take into consideration when applying for a helicopter pilot job because you do not want to be stuck looking for a new position in cases of company closure, bankruptcy, or a recession. Look for long standing companies that have years of experience hiring and training pilots. Ask current and former employees their opinion or look at reviews online to gauge job security.
Safety
Safety in the aviation industry should be at the forefront of everyone’s minds. Companies that hire helicopter pilots should be dedicated to the safety of the pilot as well as the passengers. Research the safety protocols of the companies you apply to online or by asking current and former pilots. During your interviews, ask your interviewer if there are any specific safety protocols you should be aware of before taking the position.
Salary
Salary is one of the most important metrics when applying for a new position. Set a guideline for yourself and your family and apply to companies and positions that meet those guidelines. Right out of flight school do not have unrealistic expectations of salary, but find the best position to fit your needs in the short term. The more experience you get, the higher salary you can ask for.
Location
When searching for a pilot job, hone in on the area you want to live in. Whether that be Texas or another state, helicopter pilot jobs are everywhere, so choose a location you will be happy to live in for the long term.
Border Patrol Jobs for Pilots
Border patrol pilots or Air Interdiction Agents pilot airplanes, helicopters, and unmanned aircraft systems to interdict inbound threats to the U.S. and investigate dangerous criminal networks. These jobs are located in border cities in the state of Texas, such as El Paso, Laredo, and Del Rio as well as border cities in other states.
Border pilots must undergo a flight assessment at Air and Marine Operations (AMO) National Air Training Center (NATC) in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The exam has four phases:
- Records review
- Structured interview
- Oral examination
- Flight evaluations
If the candidate passes the flight assessment they are eligible to apply for border patrol pilot positions.
US Customs and Border Protection pilots make approximately $150,000 – $190,000 per year.
Start Your Career
Applying to a new job can be daunting but in Texas you have options. Choosing the best helicopter job in Texas for you can be easy if you take into consideration the most important metrics, safety, salary, location, and job security. If you are interested in learning more about helicopter pilot jobs or staying up to date on the top news in aviation, subscribe to FLYING Magazine.
FAQ
For time building, the best helicopter pilot jobs in Florida are sightseeing tours. For long term careers in Florida, helicopter pilot jobs in medivac and in the oil field are best.
The average salary of a helicopter pilot is about $94,519 a year. On average, helicopter pilots make anywhere from $80,148 to $121,547 a year.
