Helicopter Pilot Jobs in South Carolina
Cities in South Carolina with Aviation Schools:
- Aiken
- Anderson
- Beaufort
- Berea
- Bluffton
- Cayce
- Charleston
- Clemson
- Columbia
- Conway
- Dentsville
- Easley
- Five Forks
- Florence
- Fort Mill
- Gaffney
- Gantt
- Georgetown
- Goose Creek
- Greenville
- Greenwood
- Greer
- Hanahan
- Hilton Head Island
- Irmo
- James Island
- Ladson
- Lake Wylie
- Lexington
- Mauldin
- Moncks Corner
- Mount Pleasant
- Myrtle Beach
- Myrtle Beach North
- North Augusta
- North Charleston
- North Myrtle Beach
- Orangeburg
- Parker
- Port Royal
- Red Hill
- Rock Hill
- Seven Oaks
- Simpsonville
- Socastee
- Spartanburg
- St Andrews
- Summerville
- Sumter
- Taylors
- Wade Hamn
- West Columbia

Seeking Professional Helicopter Pilot Jobs in South Carolina
To land the top helicopter pilot jobs in South Carolina depends so much upon the "type" of piloting job you are pursuing. Meaning, not all helicopter jobs in South Carolina are the same. Not all helicopter jobs in South Carolina are considered to be the "best-paying jobs." The top commercial helicopter pilot jobs around South Carolina will require set minimum requirements.
Brand new helicopter pilots from South Carolina are very limited in the type of piloting jobs in South Carolina they qualify for because new pilots typically don't have enough flight experience. Most entry-level helicopter pilot jobs in South Carolina 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 South Carolina. 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 South Carolina.
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 South Carolina. 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 South Carolina.

In the early stages of a new helicopter pilot career, new pilots from South Carolina 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 South Carolina 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 South Carolina don't qualify for one of the good-paying pilot jobs in South Carolina, 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 South Carolina, 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 South Carolina
Law Enforcement Pilot: Police Helicopter Pilots in South Carolina 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 South Carolina 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 South Carolina 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 South Carolina 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 South Carolina 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 South Carolina 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
Both the leading edge and the trailing edge of the wing may be straight or curved, or one edge may be straight and the other curved. One or both edges may be tapered so that the wing is narrower at the tip than at the root where it joins the fuselage. The wingtip may be square, rounded, or even pointed. Figure 1-19 shows a number of typical wing leading and trailing edge shapes.
Fun Facts About Flight Dispatchers
FAA flight dispatcher license requirements: Must be at least 23 years of age. High school graduate or international equivalent education.Ability to read, write, and communicate in the English Language. Minimum of 200 hours of instruction. Passing Score on FAA Aircraft Dispatcher Practical Test.
Landing the Top Helicopter Pilot Jobs in South Carolina
Are you seeking the top helicopter pilot jobs near South Carolina? 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 South Carolina? 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 South Carolina?
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 South Carolina 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 South Carolina are very unique people with unique and peculiar skills. The good news is, helicopter pilots in South Carolina are in high demand!
Helicopter Pilot Salary in South Carolina:How much do helicopter pilots make and why you should pursue helicopter flight school
Professional helicopter pilots do not get rich flying helicopters in South Carolina. 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 South Carolina to become rich and wealthy. However, being a professional helicopter pilot in South Carolina provides one with a very "rich" life experience, as well as a healthy income.
Want a career of flying helicopters in South Carolina? Are you looking at flying search and rescue missions in South Carolina or aerial firefighting operations around South Carolina? Do you see yourself flying a helicopter near South Carolina as an EMS pilot, Fire Fighting pilot, Forestry pilot, etc? The demand for helicopter pilot jobs in South Carolina is very high and competitive, and it's important for any helicopter pilot from South Carolina to know your desired career course.
Types of Helicopter Pilot Jobs and Careers in South Carolina:
- 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 South Carolina. You will be in high-demand too!
The Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook
This volume contains information on airframe construction features, assembly and rigging, fabric covering, structural repairs, and aircraft welding. The handbook also contains an explanation of the units that make up the various airframe systems. Because there are so many different types of aircraft in use today, it is reasonable to expect that differences exist in airframe components and systems.
Fun Helicopter Facts for Charleston
Helicopters can be flown across oceans if additional fuel is made available or in-flight refueling is employed.
As the helicopter approaches the ground, the pilot must then get rid of most of their forward motion and slow the decent using the stored up kinetic energy in the rotors. If done perfectly, the landing will be quite gentle. They accomplish this by executing a flare, pitching the nose up, at the right moment.
In fact, you have a better chance at surviving in a helicopter when the engine fails than you do in an airplane. Helicopters are designed specifically to allow pilots to have a reasonable chance of landing them safely in the case where the engine stops working during flight, often with no damage at all.
Helicopter Training Facts for Columbia:
With enough hours and experience, you can look for jobs with charter companies, tourism and sightseeing organizations and other places that use helicopters in their operations. As well as life flight opportunities. Some employers might also expect their pilots to have some level of college education.
Helicopter Spotlight for Columbia
The RotorWay Exec is a family of American two-bladed, skid-equipped, two-seat kit helicopters, manufactured by RotorWay International and supplied in kit form for amateur-construction. The Exec 162F is the latest in the Exec series of helicopters manufactured by RotorWay International.The RotorWay Scorpion design was updated with an aluminum tail and full fiberglass cockpit enclosure to become the Exec. The Exec 90 was developed in the early 1990s, it was, at the time, the only piston-powered helicopter to utilize an asymmetrical airfoil for improved autorotation characteristics and safety.In 1994, a fuel injection system with electronic ignition, and FADEC was added to the Exec 90, producing the Exec 162F. Unlike most U.S.-designed helicopters, the main rotor on the Exec 162F rotates clock-wise, as seen from above. The Exec series was further developed into the RotorWay A600 Talon, which replaced the Exec in production.
Helicopter Pilot Jobs for Goose Creek
A relatively common helicopter pilot job is working for emergency medical services. This typically involves flying solo and in weather conditions and over terrain that is challenging and sometimes dangerous. Some territories can be extremely remote and it is safer to send in helicopter teams than teams on the ground.
Helicopter Spotlight for Goose Creek
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.
Fun Helicopter Facts for Greenville
In recent years, however, private industry has probably accounted for the greatest increase in helicopter use, as many companies have begun to transport their executives via helicopter. In addition, helicopter shuttle services have proliferated, particularly along the urban corridor of the American Northeast. Still, among civilians the helicopter remains best known for its medical, rescue, and relief uses.
Aviation History for Greenville
In 1937 German designer Heinrich Focke built an aircraft with two huge variable pitch rotors instead of wings and achieved a controlled hover. Months later, German Anton Flettner built the first true helicopter.
Helicopter Factoid for Hilton Head Islands for Hilton Head Island
Helicopters are classified as rotary wing aircraft, and their rotary wing is commonly referred to as the main rotor or simply the rotor.
Helicopter rotor systems consist of between two and six blades attached to a central hub. Usually long and narrow, the blades turn relatively slowly, because this minimizes the amount of power necessary to achieve and maintain lift, and also because it makes controlling the vehicle easier.
Helicopter Spotlight for Hilton Head Island
SpeedHawk is a concept aircraft based on applying X-49A compounding concepts to a production UH-60 Black Hawk offering better performance range and increases in useful load. The SpeedHawk aircraft includes an SPU (third engine) high forward-swept wing concept a 45-inch fuselage plug cabin extension and several other drag reducing and performance-oriented improvements including a rotor hub fairing.
Helicopter Factoid for Mount Pleasants for Mount Pleasant
The helicopter was put to military use almost immediately after its introduction. While it was not utilized extensively during World War II, the jungle terrain of both Korea and Vietnam prompted the helicopter's widespread use during both of those wars, and technological refinements made it a valuable tool during the Persian Gulf War as well.
Helicopter Spotlight for Mount Pleasant
The Atlas Oryx (named after the Oryx antelope) is a medium-sized utility helicopter which is manufactured by the Atlas Aircraft Corporation (now Denel Aviation). The SAAF was the largest user of Aérospatiale SA 330 Puma. The Oryx can trace its origins back to the Bush War. Despite the efforts of the gunship Alouette, the need for a dedicated gunship was recognized. Atlas Aircraft Corporation produced an experimental attack helicopter, the Alpha XH-1. This helicopter was used for feasibility studies and could not serve any practical purpose - this led to the more powerful XTP-1 in April 1987. Two XTP-1s were converted, and based on a Puma J airframe. Various weapons and other systems were tested on XTP-1 and paved the way for Project: Denel Rooivalk. However, the dynamic flight components of the XTP-1 made Atlas realize what advantages an upgraded Puma could have.
Helicopter Fun Facts for North Charleston
The helicopter was eventually perfected by Igor Sikorsky. Advances in aerodynamic theory and building materials had been made since Sikorsky's initial endeavor, and, in 1939, he lifted off the ground in his first operational helicopter. Two years later, an improved design enabled him to remain aloft for an hour and a half, setting a world record for sustained helicopter flight.
Helicopter Spotlight for North Charleston
The Bell Model 309 KingCobra was an experimental attack helicopter developed by Bell Helicopter based on the Bell AH-1 Cobra. Bell announced the KingCobra program in January 1971. Two prototypes were built one with a P&WC T400-CP-400 Twin Pac dual turboshaft engine system much like that used on the AH-1J but with a stronger drive train allowing full 1800 shp (1340 kW) operation and the other with a single Lycoming T55-L-7C turboshaft engine with 2000 shp (1490 kW). The twin engine KingCobra first flew on 10 September 1971. It looked much like an AH-1J except for a longer and distinctive buzzard beak nose and a ventral fin like that on the original Model 209 demonstrator. However there were significant changes that were less noticeable:
Helicopter Pilot Jobs for Rock Hill
Helicopter pilot jobs range from sightseeing and aerial photography to working with emergency rescue groups or news-gathering agencies. Other career opportunities include instruction, forestry, surveying and mapping, heavy-lifting, and flying for the military.
Helicopter Spotlight for Rock Hill
The Aérospatiale SA 321 Super Frelon, (Super Frelon - Super Hornet) is a three-engined heavy transport helicopter produced by Aérospatiale of France. The helicopter is still in use in China where the locally produced version is known as the Z-8. The SA-3210 Super Frelon was developed by Sud-Aviation from the original SE-3200 Frelon. Sikorsky was contracted to supply the design of a new six-bladed main rotor and five-bladed tail rotor. Fiat supplied a design for a new main transmission. The first flight of the Super Frelon was December 7, 1962. A modified prototype Super Frelon helicopter was used on July 23, 1963 to break the FAI absolute helicopter world speed record with a speed of 217.7 mph.
Helicopter Pilot Facts for Summerville: Specialized training, based on the kind of aircraft the pilot flies, is another requirement. Helicopter pilots are also required to have and maintain excellent physical and mental health.
Lift is proportional to the change in the air's momentum (its mass times its velocity): the greater the momentum, the greater the lift.
Lift is proportional to the change in the air's momentum (its mass times its velocity): the greater the momentum, the greater the lift.
Helicopter Spotlight for Summerville
The Lockheed Martin VH-71 Kestrel is a variant of the AgustaWestland AW101 (formerly Eh401) built to replace the United States Marine Corps' Marine One U.S. Presidential transport fleet. It was developed and built by the Lockheed Martin–led US101 Team of Lockheed Martin Systems Integration – Owego (LMSI) AgustaWestland and Bell Helicopter.
In February 2009 President Barack Obama asked Secretary of Defense Robert Gates about placing the project on hold or canceling it because of its high cost: over $13 billion for the planned 28 helicopters. In June 2009 the U.S. Navy terminated the contract after spending about $4.4 billion and taking delivery of nine VH-71s. The helicopters were then sold to Canada for $164 million for use as spare parts for its fleet of AgustaWestland CH-149 Cormorant search-and-rescue helicopters.
Helicopter Pilot Jobs for Sumter
Helicopter pilots in emergency services fields are often called upon to airlift victims of accidents, fires, or natural disasters such as flooding or the aftermath of a severe storm. Hospitals may hire pilots and pay for equipment, or the services may be provided to a hospital by an outside company.
Famous Quote in Sumter You Should Know
The helicopter: The flying carpet of the Scientific Age.” ~Michael Hampson
Everyone is a student in a helicopter -Unknown
Helicopter Spotlight for Sumter
The Mitsubishi MH 2000 is a 7/12 seat light utility helicopter. Low levels of interest in the aircraft forced Mitsubishi to halt sales of Mh4000 in September 2004. The Mh4000 is Japan's first indigenous helicopter with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) having sole responsibility for developing and manufacturing the fuselage and engines.
In the development of the Mh4000 MHI aimed for safety economy and low noise levels. The program was launched in 1995 to fulfill a variety of missions include passenger and business transport law enforcement search and rescue and emergency medical services.