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Helicopter Pilot Jobs in West Virginia

Cities in West Virginia with Aviation Schools:

Helicopter Pilot Jobs in West Virginia

Seeking Professional Helicopter Pilot Jobs in West Virginia

To land the top helicopter pilot jobs in West Virginia depends so much upon the "type" of piloting job you are pursuing. Meaning, not all helicopter jobs in West Virginia are the same. Not all helicopter jobs in West Virginia are considered to be the "best-paying jobs." The top commercial helicopter pilot jobs around West Virginia will require set minimum requirements.


Brand new helicopter pilots from West Virginia are very limited in the type of piloting jobs in West Virginia they qualify for because new pilots typically don't have enough flight experience. Most entry-level helicopter pilot jobs in West Virginia 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 West Virginia. 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 West Virginia.

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 West Virginia. 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 West Virginia.

After helicopter school, start earning that helicopter pilot salary with an entry level helicopter tour pilot job

In the early stages of a new helicopter pilot career, new pilots from West Virginia 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 West Virginia 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 West Virginia don't qualify for one of the good-paying pilot jobs in West Virginia, 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 West Virginia, 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 West Virginia

Law Enforcement Pilot: Police Helicopter Pilots in West Virginia 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 West Virginia 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.

Fighting fires is one of the top helicopter pilot jobs available after completing your helicopter training

Emergency Medical Services Helicopter Pilot: Professional helicopter pilots seeking a full-time job piloting for Emergency Medical Services (EMS) companies in West Virginia 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 West Virginia 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.

Helicopter Pilot Jobs: Use your Helicopter Pilot License for Emergency Medical Services

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 West Virginia 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 West Virginia 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 Stabilator

A movable horizontal tail section, called a stabilator, is a control surface that combines the action of both the horizontal stabilizer and the elevator. Basically, a stabilator is a horizontal stabilizer that can also be rotated about the horizontal axis to affect the pitch of the aircraft.

Fun Aviation Facts - Pilots Eat a Different Meal

There are various rules which are imposed by different airlines, but there is one common rule that states pilots must be fed a different meal from the co-pilots. The copilots are encouraged to eat different entrees to guard against cases of food poisoning.


Landing the Top Helicopter Pilot Jobs in West Virginia

Are you seeking the top helicopter pilot jobs near West Virginia? 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 West Virginia? 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 West Virginia?

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 West Virginia 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 West Virginia are very unique people with unique and peculiar skills. The good news is, helicopter pilots in West Virginia are in high demand!

Helicopter Pilot Salary in West Virginia:How much do helicopter pilots make and why you should pursue helicopter flight school

Professional helicopter pilots do not get rich flying helicopters in West Virginia. 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 West Virginia to become rich and wealthy. However, being a professional helicopter pilot in West Virginia provides one with a very "rich" life experience, as well as a healthy income.

Want a career of flying helicopters in West Virginia? Are you looking at flying search and rescue missions in West Virginia or aerial firefighting operations around West Virginia? Do you see yourself flying a helicopter near West Virginia as an EMS pilot, Fire Fighting pilot, Forestry pilot, etc? The demand for helicopter pilot jobs in West Virginia is very high and competitive, and it's important for any helicopter pilot from West Virginia to know your desired career course.

Types of Helicopter Pilot Jobs and Careers in West Virginia:

  • 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 West Virginia. You will be in high-demand too!


Interesting Helicopter Facts

In 1944, American inventor Stanley Hiller, Jr. made the first helicopter with all-metal rotor blades that were very stiff.

There are two types of helicopter engines; one is Turbine engine and second is Piston Engine.

A helicopter can rotate to 360 degrees while hovering.

Helicopter Spotlight for Beckley

Unusual But Interesting Helicopter Facts in Beckley The new S-434 helicopter builds on the best qualities of the 333 model, including a well laid out cockpit, outstanding flight properties and low cost of ownership. To this, we have added a four-bladed rotor system, upgraded transmission and increased fuel capacity. The result of these improvements are increased useful load, hover performance, cruise speed and lower vibration.


Interesting Helicopter and Fixed-wing Facts for Charleston

In 1997, a Robinson R44 was piloted byJennifer Murray for the first helicopter circumnavigation of the world by a woman, covering a distance of 36,000 miles in 97 days.

The first helicopter to achieve completely untethered flight was the Cornu in 1907, which managed to hover one foot above the ground for 20 seconds.

Helicopter Facts for Charleston

Every helicopter pilot must obtain a private helicopter pilot license to fly. Students must be at least 17 years old, obtain a FAA medical certificate and pass a FAA written test. Additionally, the student must take at least 40 hours of flight time, 10 of which must be solo flight time. As part of those 40 hours, the student must do three hours of dual cross-country flying, three hours of dual nighttime flying and three hours of solo cross-country flying. The student must also do at least one 75-nautical mile cross-country flight and perform three solo takeoffs and landings.


Helicopter Spotlight for Clarksburg

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.

Helicopter Spotlight for Clarksburg

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 7000 UH-1 aircraft saw service in Vietnam.


Interesting Helicopter Facts for Fairmont

There are more than 11,000 civil helicopters operating just in the U.S. and more than 15,000 civil helicopters operating in more than 157 other countries around the world.

The record for the fastest helicopter in the world is held by the Sikorsky X2 which, during a flyby over Florida, United States, clocked 258mph (416kph). But this was beaten recently. On June 7th 2013, the X3 blew through the previous air speed record for helicopters by cruising at 255 knots (293 MPH) during a 40-minute flight over Southern France near Istres.

Aviation Quotes for Fairmont

Flight Instructor Facts for Fairmont The usual cost for a refresher course is roughly $200 US Dollars (USD). There are, however, additional costs for course options, such as in-house certification. This option allows you to obtain your updated certification certificate directly from the course provider instead of traveling to your local Federal Aviation Association (FAA)


Helicopter Fun Facts for Huntington

Whereas the latter require long runways on which to reduce forward velocity, helicopters have to reduce only vertical lift, which they can do by hovering prior to landing. Thus, they don't even require shock absorbers: their landing gear usually comprises only wheels or skids, or both.

Helicopter Facts for Huntington

Helicopter Training Facts for Huntington: There are a lot of facts, laws, rules, and regulations that must be memorized in helicopter pilot training. The ability to quickly memorize information and retain it is very important. Almost 60 percent of training is completed in the classroom. Be prepared for hours of class, followed by long hours of studying.


Fun Helicopter Facts for Martinsburg:

If you include military helicopters it is estimated that there are more than 45,000 operating worldwide.

The record for the fastest helicopter in the world is held by the Sikorsky X2 which, during a flyby over Florida, United States, clocked 258mph (416kph). But this was beaten recently. On June 7th 2013, the X3 blew through the previous air speed record for helicopters by cruising at 255 knots (293 MPH) during a 40-minute flight over Southern France near Istres.

Helicopter Spotlight for Martinsburg

The Eurocopter UH-72 Lakota is a twin-engine helicopter with a single four-bladed main rotor. The UH-72 is a militarized version of the Eurocopter EC145 and is built by American Eurocopter division of EADS North America. Initially marketed as the UH-145 the helicopter was selected as the winner of the United States Army's Light Utility Helicopter (LUH) program on 30 June 2006. In October 2006 American Eurocopter was awarded a production contract for 345 aircraft to replace aging UH-1H/V and OH-58A/C helicopters in the U.S. Army and Army National Guard fleets.


Interesting Helicopter and Fixed-wing Facts for Morgantown

Igor Sikorsky built the first four-engine plane in 1913 and, after decades of development, he crafted the first working helicopter, with its first test flight in 1939. He designed and built the first military helicopter named XR-4. He delivered it to Colonel Franklin Gregory of the U.S. Army in 1940. In 1958, Igor Sikorsky's rotorcraft company made the world's first helicopter that had a boat hull and could land and takeoff from water. It could also float on the water.

Helicopter Facts for Morgantown

Helicopter Training Facts for Morgantown: 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.

Helicopter Pilot Jobs for Morgantown 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.


Helicopter Facts for Parkersburg

If the engine stops on a helicopter the rotor continues to spin allowing the machine to slowly land generally without crashing to the ground. Although Hollywood would have you thinking otherwise if the power is lost in flight the helicopter is safer than if you were flying in an airplane and the same thing happens. Helicopters do not have the best of glide ratios but as long as the rotor blades keep turning helicopters can do something airplanes cannot do; autorotation. Because of the rotating wings (rotors) instead of fixed wings like the airplane acting like a windmill as it floats down.

Helicopter Facts for Parkersburg

The Boeing/Sikorsky RAH-66 Comanche unveiled in 1999 is the first helicopter using stealth technology. It is made of carbon-fiber and other composite materials, and the rotor hub is hidden.


Interesting Helicopter and Fixed-wing Facts for Weirton

Over 3 million lives have been saved by helicopters in both peacetime and wartime operations since the first person was rescued from the sea in 1944.

Fixed-Wing Aircraft Factoid Stabilator

A movable horizontal tail section, called a stabilator, is a control surface that combines the action of both the horizontal stabilizer and the elevator. Basically, a stabilator is a horizontal stabilizer that can also be rotated about the horizontal axis to affect the pitch of the aircraft.

Helicopter Facts for Weirton

Helicopter Careers - Military: The other factor to consider is the time commitment required to obtain your helicopter pilot license in the military. The military absolutely expects that you are a military officer first and a pilot second. This exchange requires a lot of give and take and should be considered prior to making a concrete decision. If you feel strongly about the military and are willing to sacrifice a block of your time


Helicopter History for Wheeling

The airframe, or fundamental structure, of a helicopter can be made of either metal or organic composite materials, or some combination of the two. Higher performance requirements will incline the designer to favor composites with higher strength-to-weight ratio, often epoxy (a resin) reinforced with glass, aramid (a strong, flexible nylon fiber), or carbon fiber.

Helicopter Facts for Wheeling

Pilot ratings remove flying restrictions. An instrument rating says that a pilot doesn't need visual references to fly, and can instead rely solely on a plane's instruments. It's required for airline transport pilots, though private and commercial pilots also commonly earn it. Without a multi-engine rating, pilots can fly only single-engine planes. Commercial pilots need the multi-engine rating for employment.