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Low Time Helicopter Pilot Job Options

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.

This article will explore some low time helicopter pilot jobs for commercial rotor wing pilots with lower hours. Most high-paying utility and air ambulance pilot jobs require thousands of hours of pilot-in-command time, which is also known as PIC time. 

Pilots often gain hours by instructing flights, flying aerial tours, or working as second-in-command of a larger helicopter. These jobs are typically not the same job that pilots will hold forever, as they may be referred to as time-building pilot jobs. 

Quicklook: Low Time Helicopter Pilot Company Jobs

  • Magic Air Tours 
  • Total Flight Solutions
  • PJ Helicopters
  • Smoketown Helicopters
  • Colorado Heli-Ops

5 Low Time Helicopter Pilot Job Options

Ready to get up in the air? Let’s take a closer look at 5 noteworthy low time helicopter pilot jobs across the United States.

Magic Air Tours 

Magic Air Tours provides breathtaking helicopter or airplane tour adventures to both locals and tourists. Low time helicopter pilot jobs at Magic Air Tours include R44 tour pilot positions. Pilots can expect to fly a brand new R-44 in Miami and log about 150 hours per month. 

Established: 2019 

Location: Miami Executive Airport (KTMB), 14359 SW 127th St, Miami, FL 33186

Contact Information: 

  • Phone number: (786) 431-2165
  • Email: [email protected] 
  • Website: https://www.magicairtours.com 

Employees: 2-10 employees

Hours required: 

  • Commercial pilot certificate and helicopter pilot experience
  • Total time required not provided. 

Types of Jobs: 

  • Helicopter tours over Miami in R44
  • Pilots fly part-time usually 5 to 6 hours per day 
  • Flights are typically from 1pm or 2pm to 7pm
  • Total of 150 hours per month

Services Provided: 

  • Helicopter piloting
  • All helicopter related preflight and postflight activities
    • Fuel
    • Weight and balance
    • Keep the aircraft clean 
  • Customer service

Google Rating: 5.0/5.0 stars out of 37 Google reviews

Total Flight Solutions

Total Flight Solutions is a Part 61 flight school that provides high-quality ground and flight instruction in a Robinson Helicopter R-22 and two R-44s. Flight training is provided in both Louisburg, NC, and Pinehurst, NC. Low time helicopter pilot jobs at Total Flight Solutions mostly include instructor pilot positions. 

Established: 

Location: 450 Airport Rd #200, Louisburg, NC 27549

Contact Information: 

  • Phone number: (919) 497-5511
  • Email: [email protected] 
  • Website: https://www.totalflight.com/ 

Employees: 11-50 employees

Hours required: 

  • FAA-certified flight instructor
  • Helicopter pilot experience
  • Total time required not provided
  • Must have a clean safety record

Types of Jobs:  

Services Provided: 

  • Flight instruction
  • Pipe and powerline patrol
  • News gathering flights
  • Site surveying
  • Wildlife surveys
  • Aerial photography
  • Weddings

Google Rating: 5.0/5.0 stars out of 73 Google reviews

PJ Helicopters

PJ Helicopters is a precision lift helicopter operator that hires lower time Chinook SIC pilots for Fire Suppression, Utility, and Construction Support. Jobs are seasonal with full time potential and possible opportunities to build Bell 407 and Bell 206-L time based on experience, qualifications, and assignments. Low time helicopter pilot jobs at PJ Helicopters mostly include Chinook SIC pilot positions. 

Established: 1970

Location: 903 Langley Rd, Red Bluff, CA 96080

Contact Information: 

  • Phone number: (530) 527-5059
  • Email: https://www.pjhelicopters.com/contact
  • Website: https://www.pjhelicopters.com/ 

Employees: 51-200 employees

Hours required: 500 hours in CH-47D airframe

Types of Jobs: 

  • Utility
  • Forestry
  • Construction industries

Services Provided: 

  • Utility
  • Agriculture
  • Law enforcement
  • Construction

Google Rating: 4.4/5.0 stars out of 11 Google reviews

Smoketown Helicopters

Smoketown helicopters is a small veteran owned business that has been growing since it was founded in 2014. Smoketown Helicopters strives to train real-world pilots, not just pilots that pass the test. 

Established: 2014

Location: Smoketown Airport (S37) 311 Airport Dr, Smoketown, PA 17576 

Contact Information: 

  • Phone number: (717) 344-4871
  • Email: [email protected] 
  • Website: https://smoketownhelicopers.com 

Employees: 2-10 employees

Hours required: 

  • FAA-certified flight instructor experience
  • Helicopter pilot experience
  • Total time required not provided 

Types of Jobs: 

  • Helicopter 
  • Airplane 

Services Provided: 

  • Flight instruction and tours over Lancaster County Amish Country
  • Aerial photography
  • Smoketown helicopters is also a Robinson service center

Google Rating: 5.0/5 stars out of 44 Google reviews

Colorado Heli-Ops

Colorado Heli-Ops is a full service helicopter operation in Broomfield, Colorado. Flight instruction, commercial, utility services, and a variety of pilot jobs are available through Colorado Heli-Ops. 

Established: 2009. 

Location: 11855 Airport Way, Broomfield, CO 80021

Contact Information: 

  • Phone number: (303) 466-4354
  • Email: [email protected] 
  • Website: https://www.coloradoheliops.com/ 

Employees: 11-50 employees

Hours required: 200 hours in helicopters

Types of Jobs: 

  • FAA-certified flight instructor experience
  • Helicopter pilot experience

Services Provided: 

  • Flight instruction
  • Aerial tours
  • Wildlife tours
  • Powerline inspections
  • Forestry support
  • Waterway patrols
  • Utility operations
  • Charter flights
  • Search and rescue flying
  • Advanced mountain flight instruction

Google Rating: 4.3/5 stars out of 23 Google reviews 

Ready to Give a Helicopter Job a Whirl? 

FlyingMag provides resources for pilots in all stages of helicopter flight training and flying, including those critical low-time jobs. To stay informed on all of the latest in aviation, subscribe to the Flying Mag newsletter today.

FAQ

How To Become a Helicopter Pilot?

In the United States, pilots attend flight schools to obtain helicopter pilot ratings. Most large cities have helicopter flight schools, or flight training can be completed through a university.  Pilots obtain a private pilot certificate, and then a commercial pilot certificate. An instrument rating and flight instructor certificate can also help pilots gain valuable experience. 

How Long Does it Take to Become a Helicopter Pilot?

The time to become a helicopter pilot depends on your available time, available finances, and availability of aircraft. Seasonal weather can delay flight training depending on the time of the year. 

How Much Does it Cost to Become a Helicopter Pilot?

The cost of training is the biggest barrier to most helicopter pilot prospects. Pilots should plan to spend between $18,000 and $30,0000 to obtain their private pilot certificate. Financing can help cover costs, but it can take years until pilots are able to obtain paid pilot jobs to repay loans. 

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