Helicopter Pilot

Jobtailor; Imperial (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Jobtailor is seeking an experienced EMS pilot to operate Air Methods aircraft with emphasis on safety, regulatory compliance, and patient transport in the Imperial, California region.

The role requires extensive flight hours, rotor wing experience, and FAA certifications including instrument rating and ATP. Candidates should meet rigorous medical and flight-hour criteria and be prepared for 7-on/7-off, 12-hour shifts in a demanding environment.

Qualifications

• Associate’s degree (A.A.) or equivalent from two-year college or technical school and two to five years’ related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Bachelor’s degree preferred

Responsibilities

• Operate Air Methods aircraft in a safe and legal manner.
• Complete pre-flight checks before every flight and verify airworthiness via Daily Flight Log.
• Perform a complete aircraft walk-around before entering the cockpit and after each flight.
• Exercise final authority over aircraft operations and safety of passengers, cargo, and equipment.
• Maintain familiarity with aircraft/medical systems of backup aircraft in the area.
• Ensure the medical flight team is familiar with medical interior and systems.
• Complete required documentation.
• Conduct detailed flight planning with high readiness and exacting standards.
• Participate in meetings, projects, committees, and community outreach.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• Transport medical crew and patients to receiving hospitals within the area.
• Maintain aircraft and weather conditions as airworthy for medical transport.

Skills

Rotor Wing Turbine Operations

Flight Planning

Pre-Flight Checks

Aircraft Walk-Around

Instrument Rating

Commercial Single-Engine Land

Fixed Wing Multiengine Rating

Cross-Country Flight Time

Night Flight Experience

Documentation Completion

Leadership

Communication

Team Collaboration

Attention To Detail

Problem Solving

Education

Associate degree or equivalent

Bachelor's degree preferred

Job description

Job Responsibilities

• Operate Air Methods aircraft in a safe and legal manner
• Complete pre-flight checks before every flight and verify aircraft airworthiness through the Daily Flight Log
• Perform a complete aircraft walk-around before entering the cockpit and after each flight
• Exercise final authority over aircraft operations and the safety of passengers, cargo, and equipment
• Maintain familiarity with aircraft and medical systems of backup aircraft used in the operational area
• Ensure the medical flight team is familiar and comfortable with the medical interior and systems
• Complete required documentation
• Conduct detailed flight planning with little notice to exacting standards
• Participate regularly in Air Methods meetings, activities, projects, committees, and community outreach
• Perform other duties as assigned
• Transport medical crew and patients to receiving hospitals within the assigned operational area
• Maintain aircraft and weather conditions as airworthy for medical transport

Requirements

• Associate’s degree (A.A.) or equivalent from two-year college or technical school and two to five years’ related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Bachelor’s degree preferred
• Weight not to exceed 250 pounds
• Must be less than seventy (70) years old
• Pilots must have flown in category within the previous 24 months
• 2500 total flight hours with minimum of 2000 flight hours in category
• 1000 hours PIC in category
• 500 hours of rotor wing turbine time
• 500 hours of cross-country flight time, at least 50 hours of which were at night
• 100 hours unaided night as PIC, with permitted NVG substitution subject to the stated limits
• 75 hours of actual or simulated instrument time, at least 50 hours in flight in an aircraft, including 20 hours in actual instrument conditions in category
• Instrument rating for category and class of aircraft; ATP rating in category meets this requirement
• Fixed wing multiengine rating required for twin-engine aircraft
• Commercial single-engine land required for single-engine aircraft
• First OR Second Class FAA Medical certificate required
• Knowledge of and compliance with FAR, AIM, GOM, and Air Methods policies and procedures
• Regular scheduled attendance (7 days on/7 days off, 12-hour shifts)

Core Competencies

Demonstrates extensive flight experience with a focus on safety and compliance, including proficiency in rotor wing turbine operations and adherence to FAA regulations. Capable of conducting thorough pre-flight checks and detailed flight planning while ensuring the comfort and safety of medical crews and patients.

Highest-signal resume keywords

• 2500 Total Flight Hours
• 2000 Flight Hours In Category
• 1000 Hours PIC In Category
• First OR Second Class FAA Medical Certificate
• Knowledge Of FAR, AIM, GOM

Hard Skills

• Rotor Wing Turbine Operations
• Flight Planning
• Pre-Flight Checks
• Aircraft Walk-Around
• Instrument Rating
• Commercial Single-Engine Land
• Fixed Wing Multiengine Rating
• Cross-Country Flight Time
• Night Flight Experience
• Documentation Completion

Soft Skills

• Leadership
• Communication
• Team Collaboration
• Attention To Detail
• Problem Solving

Certifications & Qualifications

• FAA Medical Certificate
• Instrument Rating
• ATP Rating

Industry Keywords

• Air Methods
• Medical Transport
• Flight Safety
• Aircraft Airworthiness
• Operational Area