Helicopter Pilot Jobs in Rhode Island
Cities in Rhode Island with Aviation Schools:
- Ashaway
- Barrington
- Bradford
- Bristol
- Central Falls
- Charlestown
- Chepachet
- Clayville
- Coventry
- Cranston
- Cumberland
- East Greenwich
- East Providence
- Exeter
- Foster
- Greene
- Greenville
- Hope Valley
- Hopkinton
- Jamestown
- Johnston
- Kingston
- Lincoln
- Little Compton
- Manville
- Middletown
- Narragansett
- North Providence
- Pawtucket
- Providence
- South Kingstown
- Warwick
- Woonsocket

Seeking Professional Helicopter Pilot Jobs in Rhode Island
To land the top helicopter pilot jobs in Rhode Island depends so much upon the "type" of piloting job you are pursuing. Meaning, not all helicopter jobs in Rhode Island are the same. Not all helicopter jobs in Rhode Island are considered to be the "best-paying jobs." The top commercial helicopter pilot jobs around Rhode Island will require set minimum requirements.
Brand new helicopter pilots from Rhode Island are very limited in the type of piloting jobs in Rhode Island they qualify for because new pilots typically don't have enough flight experience. Most entry-level helicopter pilot jobs in Rhode Island require a minimum of 1,200 flight hours. Brand new commercial pilots (those right out of pilot training school) typically have only 220 total flight hours. Two-hundred and twenty hours is not a lot of hours.
Unfortunately, many times there is a 1,000 flight hour gap between completing commercial flight training and having the minimum requirements to land an industry "entry-level" pilot job in Rhode Island. Somehow the new commercial helicopter graduate must earn 1,000 additional hours or they don't qualify for the best paying helicopter pilot jobs in Rhode Island.
Due to a lack of flight experience, the only pilot job a new commercial pilot can land is the CFI job (Certified Flight Instructors), training new student pilots in Rhode Island. The truth is, most professional helicopter pilots start their piloting career as a Certified Flight Instructor (CFI). Their first entry-level helicopter pilot job is a CFI in Rhode Island.

In the early stages of a new helicopter pilot career, new pilots from Rhode Island are very limited in what helicopter pilot jobs they qualify for. The main problem with hiring brand new commercial pilots is that they do not have enough flight hours. Typically, a brand new commercial helicopter pilot in Rhode Island has earned 220 flight hours.
Essentially, the process of securing a commercial pilot rating will net a newly rated pilot with 220 total flight hours, and 100 of those hours are "pilot in command" hours, also known as "PIC" hours. The point is, the new commercial helicopter pilot in Rhode Island don't qualify for one of the good-paying pilot jobs in Rhode Island, therefore the only piloting jobs available are CFI jobs.
Commercial helicopter pilots only have a couple of ways to earn enough PIC hours to land the best-paying commercial piloting job in Rhode Island, and most pilots earn their required hours as Certified Flight Instructors.
Researching Helicopter Pilot Salary?Here are some of the top-paying helicopter pilot jobs in Rhode Island
Law Enforcement Pilot: Police Helicopter Pilots in Rhode Island are typically police officers and commercial helicopter pilots. The typical law enforcement pilot job requirements are simple and clear: Must be a US citizen, pass a background check, and has either attended and graduated from a police academy or is willing to participate in and graduate.
The flight requirements of helicopter pilots seeking a job as a law enforcement helicopter pilot in Rhode Island include a Commercial Instrument Rotor-wing Certificate, Class II Flight Physical, a minimum of 1,200 total times, 800 PIC hours, and 700 turbine hours.

Emergency Medical Services Helicopter Pilot: Professional helicopter pilots seeking a full-time job piloting for Emergency Medical Services (EMS) companies in Rhode Island need to be the best of the best. Keep in mind, EMS helicopter pilots are "the best of the best" and the "top dogs" in the aviation industry, therefore most employers give preference to pilots with previous EMS experience with VFR proficiency.
Strong communication skills are a must. Desire to being an integral member of a medical-based team is a must. Job seekers must be able to perform strenuous physical tasks such as lifting and carrying weight up to 90 lbs.
Other helicopter pilot requirements include a current FAA Commercial Certificate, Class II Medical Certificate, Helicopter Instrument Rating, and it is preferred that pilot candidates possess ATP helicopter rating and have recent IFR experience.
Utility Inspection Pilot: Utility Inspect Helicopter Pilots in Rhode Island must be able to survey powerlines using LiDAR and photographic/video equipment to inspect and document the condition of power poles. Top utility companies are looking for helicopter pilots with extraordinary helicopter experience flying in and around a "wire environment" (utility lines).
Helicopter pilots seeking employment with utility companies must demonstrate and prove their skills to operate a helicopter safely and in a professional manner. To land the best paying utility jobs, they must prove their ability to follow and comply with all Federal (FAA), State, and local regulations. Employers realize that the best utility helicopter pilots have established their ability to work independently and with a team.

Typically, helicopter pilot job candidates need a minimum of 3000 hours as Pilot In Command, a minimum of 300 hours in a turbine, flying utility inspections around power lines with photography is preferred. Job candidates should have FAA commercial license, current medical, clean driving record, clean background check, clean drug test, and no accidents or incident reports.
Charter Tour Pilot: The top helicopter tour companies typically recruit full-time helicopter pilots from Rhode Island to fly public tours. Job seekers need a commercial pilot rating along with CFI and/or CFII.
Helicopter tour pilots must demonstrate their skills in operating a helicopter safely and in a professional manner. To land the best paying utility jobs, helicopter pilot candidates must prove their ability to follow and comply with all Federal (FAA), State, and local regulations.
Tour helicopter pilots have training in a Robinson R44 and Robinson R66, and turbine hours is preferred or considered an advantage. Helicopter tour pilots need a minimum of 250-1,000 hours and should be qualified for aerial photography, aerial surveys, and sightseeing tour jobs.
Certified Flight Instructor: Helicopter pilots from Rhode Island looking to land the best flight instructor jobs must have plenty of hours in a Robinson R22 and R44 and R66 Helicopters. Strangely enough, the highest-paid flight instructors also conduct sightseeing tours as long as the pilot meets specific hourly requirements.
Job candidates need to be able to operate as independent contractors working on an hourly basis, flying anywhere from 5 to 25 hours a week.
Flight training job candidates need the following to be current: FAA Commercial Rotorcraft Certificate, Instrument Rotorcraft Rating, Flight Instructor Certificate, (“Instrument” rated Flight Instructor Rating usually preferred), Class II Medical Certificate, and SFAR CFI Endorsement for R22 and R44
Minimum flight experience - a minimum of 250 hours total time in a helicopter, and preferably 150 of those hours in Robinson Rotorcraft.
Fixed-Wing Aircraft Facts - Wing Configurations
Wings are airfoils that, when moved rapidly through the air, create lift. They are built in many shapes and sizes. Wing design can vary to provide certain desirable flight characteristics. Control at various operating speeds, the amount of lift generated, balance, and stability all change as the shape of the wing is altered.
Semi-Useless Aviation Trivia You Should Learn
The Wright brothers invented and flew the first airplane in 1903. It is considered the world’s first “sustained and controlled heavier-than-air powered flight.” Their aircraft, the Wright Flyer, flew about 120 feet. Today, the newest Boeing 787 can fly 10,000 miles on a single tank of gas.
Landing the Top Helicopter Pilot Jobs in Rhode Island
Are you seeking the top helicopter pilot jobs near Rhode Island? Are you searching for a helicopter flight school? Or if we're starting from scratch, have you ever flown in a helicopter? Have you ever spoken to a professional helicopter pilot? Do you know anything about the average helicopter pilot salary in Rhode Island? The reason why we ask is due to the inherent challenge of flying helicopters as a career or as a job. Helicopters are not aerodynamic and they are very difficult to fly, and helicopters pilots require extraordinary skills.
To fly, Helicopter pilots require extreme coordination between their eyes, ears, hands, and feet. Yes, in order to fly, helicopter pilots use their sight, hearing, and all four limbs simultaneously. The question is, do you have what it takes to learn to fly and then go on to land the top paying helicopter pilot jobs in Rhode Island?
Flying helicopters is not a natural activity, meaning, no one is born with the "natural" talent or skills to fly a helicopter. To become a great helicopter pilot landing the top helicopter pilot jobs, pilots from Rhode Island have to devote a great deal of time, energy, and passion into developing unique skills that do not come naturally.
Flying helicopters is counterintuitive and there is no other job in the world similar to flying helicopters. Meaning, your previous experience does not help you in any way, and as a matter of fact, it might hurt you as you seek to develop helicopter pilot skills.
The truth is helicopter pilots, seeking helicopter pilot jobs in Rhode Island are very unique people with unique and peculiar skills. The good news is, helicopter pilots in Rhode Island are in high demand!
Helicopter Pilot Salary in Rhode Island:How much do helicopter pilots make and why you should pursue helicopter flight school
Professional helicopter pilots do not get rich flying helicopters in Rhode Island. It's possible to become rich, but most helicopter pilot jobs pay anywhere from $65,000 and $100,000 annually. In other words, people usually do not pursue helicopter pilot jobs in Rhode Island to become rich and wealthy. However, being a professional helicopter pilot in Rhode Island provides one with a very "rich" life experience, as well as a healthy income.
Want a career of flying helicopters in Rhode Island? Are you looking at flying search and rescue missions in Rhode Island or aerial firefighting operations around Rhode Island? Do you see yourself flying a helicopter near Rhode Island as an EMS pilot, Fire Fighting pilot, Forestry pilot, etc? The demand for helicopter pilot jobs in Rhode Island is very high and competitive, and it's important for any helicopter pilot from Rhode Island to know your desired career course.
Types of Helicopter Pilot Jobs and Careers in Rhode Island:
- Emergency Medical Services
- Fire Fighting
- Forestry
- Law Enforcement
- Offshore Oil and Gas
- Tourism & Sightseeing
- Utility Inspection (pipeline and power line)
Regardless of the type of helicopter pilot job you pursue, the top-paying jobs require commitment, perseverance, diligence, discipline, good training, a strong love for flying, great communication skills, and professionalism. If you are willing to commit yourself to the best training and you are devoted to your craft, eventually you will be landing the best paying helicopter pilot jobs in Rhode Island. You will be in high-demand too!
Helicopter Training Facts for Coventry:
After you begin pilot training, it is not all about being in the air. You will have to take courses on safety and other topics before you leave the ground. A minimum of 40 hours of helicopter flight time and a student helicopter pilot certificate.
Helicopter Spotlight for Coventry
The Bell UH-1 Iroquois (unofficially Huey) is a military helicopter powered by a singleturboshaft engine, with a two-bladed main rotor and tail rotor. The helicopter was developed by Bell Helicopter to meet theUnited States Army's requirement for a medical evacuation and utility helicopter in 1952, and first flew on 20 October 1956. Ordered into production in March 1960, the UH-1 was the first turbine-powered helicopter to enter production for the United States military, and more than 16,000 have been produced worldwide.
The first combat operation of the UH-1 was in the service of the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. The original designation of HU-1 led to the helicopter's nickname of Huey. In September 1962, the designation was changed to UH-1, but \Huey remained in common use. Approximately 7,000 UH-1 aircraft saw service in Vietnam.
Heliports Factoids for Cranston
Many heliports also play host to a number of flight schools and repair colleges. Those wishing to learn to fly a helicopter or to repair one can take courses at these schools.
The next surviving sketch of a helicopter dates from the early nineteenth century, when British scientist Sir George Cayley drew a twin-rotor aircraft in his notebook. During the early twentieth century, Frenchman Paul Cornu managed to lift himself off the ground for a few seconds in an early helicopter.
Helicopter Spotlight for Cranston
The Aérospatiale Gazelle is a five-seat helicopter, commonly used for light transport, scouting and light attack duties. It is powered by a single turbine engine and was the first helicopter to feature a fenestron tail instead of a conventional tail rotor. It was designed and manufactured in France by Sud Aviation, later Aérospatiale; the Gazelle has also been manufactured under licence by Westland Aircraft in the United Kingdom as the Westland Gazelle, by SOKO in Yugoslavia, and the Arab British Helicopter Company (ABHCO) in Egypt.Since being introduced to service in 1973, the Gazelle has been procured and operated by a number of export customers. It has also participated in numerous conflicts around the world, including by Syria during the 1982 Lebanon War, by Rwanda during the Rwandan Civil War in the 1990s, and by numerous participants on both sides of the 1991 Gulf War. In French service, the Gazelle has been supplemented as an attack helicopter by the larger Eurocopter Tiger, but remains in use primarily as a scout helicopter.
Fixed-Wing Aircraft Factoid Elevator
The elevator is the primary flight control surface that moves the aircraft around the horizontal or lateral axis. This causes the nose of the aircraft to pitch up or down. The elevator is hinged to the trailing edge of the horizontal stabilizer and typically spans most or all of its width. It is controlled in the cockpit by pushing or pulling the control stick or yoke forward or aft.
Helicopter Turbine Engines
Turbine engines are more powerful and are used in a wide variety of helicopters. They produce a tremendous amount of power for their size but are generally more expensive to operate. The turbine engine used in helicopters operates differently than those used in airplane applications. In most applications, the exhaust outlets simply release expended gases and do not contribute to the forward motion of the helicopter.
Helicopter Training Facts for East Providence:
If you have made the decision to become a commercial helicopter pilot, you must first find a flight school where you can take lessons in piloting a helicopter. Flight schools can be found through local airports, online and in the telephone book.
Helicopter Spotlight for East Providence
The AgustaWestland Apache is a licence-built version of the AH-64D Apache Longbow attack helicopter for the British Army's Army Air Corps. The first eight helicopters were built by Boeing; the remaining 59 were assembled by Westland Helicopters (now part of AgustaWestland) at Yeovil, Somerset in England from Boeing-supplied kits. Changes from the AH-64D include Rolls-Royce engines, a new electronic defensive aids suite and a folding blade mechanism allowing the British version to operate from ships. The helicopter was initially designated WAH-64 by Westland Helicopters and was later designated Apache AH Mk 1 (often shortened to Apache Ah4) by the Ministry of Defence.
The Apache has become a valued form of close air support in the continuing conflict in Afghanistan, being deployed to the region since 2006. The Apache has been an object of controversy over the fitting of some munitions, such as cluster bombs and thermobaric weapons. Naval trials and temporary deployments at sea have proven the aircraft as an able platform to operate from the decks of ships, which is a unique application of the Apache amongst its operators. British Apaches served in the NATO 2011 military intervention in Libya operating from Royal Navy ships.
Helicopter Fun Facts for North Providence
Igor Sikorsky, a Russian engineer, built his first helicopter in 1909. When neither this prototype nor its 1910 successor succeeded, Sikorsky decided that he could not build a helicopter without more sophisticated materials and money, so he transferred his attention to aircraft.
To avoid landing problems, the engine could be disconnected and the autogiro brought gently to rest by the rotor, which would gradually cease spinning as the machine reached the ground. Popular during the 1920s and 1930s, autogiros ceased to be produced after the refinement of the conventional helicopter.
Helicopter Fact Sheet for North Providence
By 1951, Bell helicopters were in service around the world, breaking records as fast as they were setting them. And since Bell Aircraft Corporation's reputation for helicopter manufacture began to rival its reputation as a builder of conventional aircraft , the company created a separate helicopter division which was headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas. Today, with Bell helicopters flying in more than 120 different countries , they are logging another ten hours every minute of every day.
Helicopter Training Facts for Pawtucket:
Commercial uses for helicopters include flying passengers on sightseeing trips, assisting in search-and-rescue operations and patrolling oil pipelines, to name just a few examples. If you want to become a commercial helicopter pilot, first you typically must earn your private pilot's license, then fly additional hours to become a commercial helicopter pilot.
NAS Lemoore
NAS Lemoore, Californiais located in the central part of the state and covers two counties Fresno and Kings. A small part of it the Lemoore station is one of the few military based census designated areas. The military base is actually a jet base. It is the most important and largest such facility controlled by the US Navy.
Famous Quote in Pawtucket
“For those who love flying, the ability of the helicopter to hover and move in any direction from the hover with complete control gives a thrill and fascination that is not found in any other form of powered flight.” ~Fay, John (1976)
I’ve missed more than 9000 shots in my career. I’ve lost almost 300 games. 26 times I’ve been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed. –Michael Jordan
Heliport Facts for Providence
Many heliport locations also include rental car agents as well as private limousine stables to service patrons. Several of the most recent heliport designs also include an upscale restaurant to host couples wishing to utilize a helicopter tour of the particular city in which it is located.
Helicopter Spotlight for Providence
The TAI/AgustaWestland T129 is an attack helicopter based on the Agusta A129 Mangusta. The T129 was developed by Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI), with AgustaWestland as the primary partner. The helicopter is designed for hot and high environments. The ATAK programme was begun to meet the Turkish Armed Forces' requirements for an attack and tactical reconnaissance helicopter. The T129 is the result of the integration of Turkish developed high-tech avionics and weapon systems onto the combat-proven AgustaWestland A129 airframe, with upgraded engines, transmission and rotor blades. It is in use by the Turkish Army and is being offered to other air forces.
Helicopter Training Facts for South Kingstown:
Looking for work in the field can be difficult at first because for the higher paying jobs, you'll need even more flight time. To earn additional flight hours as a novice commercial helicopter pilot, you might consider getting a pilot teaching certificate.
Fun Helicopter and Airplane Facts for South Kingstown
Officers who are considering aviation school must have served less than 48 months. Warrant officers are enlisted soldiers who are chosen to attend Warrant Officer Training School. Once they pass, they must serve at least 36 months in warrant officer ranks before applying for aviation training. ROTC and West Point cadets are also eligible for admission to aviation school.
Heliport Fact for Warwick
Rural heliports often house helicopters used to spray agricultural fields where a standard crop-dusting airplane may not be able to operate. County sheriff's police as well as search and rescue crews may also base helicopters out of one of these locations.
Helicopter Spotlight for Warwick
The AgustaWestland Apache is a licence-built version of the AH-64D Apache Longbow attack helicopter for the British Army's Army Air Corps. The first eight helicopters were built by Boeing; the remaining 59 were assembled by Westland Helicopters (now part of AgustaWestland) at Yeovil, Somerset in England from Boeing-supplied kits. Changes from the AH-64D include Rolls-Royce engines, a new electronic defensive aids suite and a folding blade mechanism allowing the British version to operate from ships. The helicopter was initially designated WAH-64 by Westland Helicopters and was later designated Apache AH Mk 1 (often shortened to Apache Ah4) by the Ministry of Defence.
The Apache has become a valued form of close air support in the continuing conflict in Afghanistan, being deployed to the region since 2006. The Apache has been an object of controversy over the fitting of some munitions, such as cluster bombs and thermobaric weapons. Naval trials and temporary deployments at sea have proven the aircraft as an able platform to operate from the decks of ships, which is a unique application of the Apache amongst its operators. British Apaches served in the NATO 2011 military intervention in Libya operating from Royal Navy ships.
Helicopter Training Facts for Woonsocket:
Before you commit to a full program of lessons, it can be a good idea to take a test lesson in a helicopter to make sure that you like flying in the rotor-powered vehicles. The helicopter: The flying carpet of the Scientific Age. -Michael Hampson
Helicopter History for Woonsocket
The H-92 Superhawk is a military version of the S-92 in the utility transport role capable of carrying 22 troops. The H-92 can also be configured for specific missions including Search and Rescue and executive transportation. The CH-148 Cyclone is a shipboard maritime helicopter variant currently under development for the Canadian Forces. From February 2009 the S-92 program was placed under Sikorsky Global Helicopters Sikorsky's new civil helicopter business unit.