What are the benefits of being a helicopter pilot?

One of the biggest benefits of becoming a helicopter pilot is the range of career opportunities available. With a commercial pilot license (CPL), you'll be qualified to fly for hire or reward, opening up a range of job opportunities in industries such as air ambulance, search and rescue, and tourism.



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Becoming a helicopter pilot is worth it if you love flying and seeing the earth from thousands of feet up in the air. Working as a helicopter pilot also gives you access to a lot of job opportunities. As a helo pilot, you can find jobs in a variety of industries.

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Helicopters are able to land in many places that would otherwise be inaccessible, which makes them very useful in search and rescue missions. Helicopters are also able to hover and take tight turns. An airplane must be constantly moving in order to stay aloft, so it's impossible for airplanes to hover.

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Mature experienced airplane pilots can make well over $100,000 per year, but it takes longer to get to the big money than it does for helicopter pilots. Experienced helicopter pilots can make $65,000 to $85,000, and some make up to 100K and above.

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Generally speaking, it is understood that helicopters are harder to operate as compared to standard light aircraft. While a pilot may be able to undertake long flights in a standard aeroplane and not be all too tired at the end of it, just a few hours of flying a helicopter may be exhausting for some.

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High Paying Pilot Jobs
  • Chief Pilot. Salary range: $84,500-$119,000 per year. ...
  • Private Pilot. Salary range: $83,500-$105,500 per year. ...
  • Helicopter Pilot. Salary range: $89,000-$104,000 per year. ...
  • Corporate Pilot. Salary range: $71,000-$100,000 per year. ...
  • Air Charter Pilot. ...
  • Airline Pilot. ...
  • Assistant Chief Pilot. ...
  • Commercial Pilot.


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Differences in the Cost of Training Training to become a helicopter pilot will typically be more expensive than becoming an airplane pilot. This is because helicopters are more expensive to maintain and fly.

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The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported the median U.S. pilot salary at $211,790 in 2022. This means 50% of pilots earn more than this, and 50% earn less. However, there are pilots working for major airlines making more than $700,000 per year.

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For instance, Southwest Airlines pilots earn an average annual salary of $222,000. However, some Southwest pilots earn as much as $549,000. Similarly, United Airlines pilots earn an average of $205,000. The average Delta Airlines pilot earns $192,000 with top-earners making $526,000.

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