Helicopter Pilot

Air Methods; Murphysboro (IL); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Location stipend $20,000

Off Duty Housing

Sign-on bonus $15,000

Job summary

Air Methods Corporation seeks an experienced pilot to ensure airworthiness and safe transport of medical crews and patients within an assigned area. You will comply with FAR, AIM, GOM, and Air Methods policies, and lead pre-flight checks and flight planning.

The role requires strong interpersonal skills, extensive flight hours in category, and the ability to work within a safety-focused team environment.

Qualifications

• Associate degree plus 2–5 years' related experience or equivalent
• Bachelor’s degree preferred
• Must meet weight/age limits per operation policies
• Strong interpersonal and professional conduct required

Responsibilities

• Operate Air Methods aircraft safely and legally
• Complete pre-flight checks and log verification
• Maintain final authority for operations and safety
• Familiarize flight crew with aircraft and medical interiors
• Complete required documentation
• Conduct detailed flight planning on short notice
• Participate in meetings and community activities
• Perform other assigned duties

Skills

Flight category experience

Interpersonal skills

Education

Associate degree

Bachelor's degree preferred

Job description

Overview

EC130 / VFR

$20,000 Location Stipend

Off Duty Housing

$15,000 sign on bonus

Job SummaryResponsible to ensure aircraft and weather conditions are airworthy to transport medical crew and patient to receiving hospital within an assigned operational area. Responsible for compliance with Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR), Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM), General Operations Manual guidelines (GOM), and thorough knowledge of Air Methods policies and procedures.

Responsibilities

Essential Functions and Responsibilities include the following:

• Operates Air methods aircraft in a safe and legal manner.
• Completes pre-flight before every flight verifying the aircraft is in an airworthy condition by sign off of Daily Flight Log. Pilots will perform a complete walk around of the aircraft prior to entering the cockpit for flight and upon completion of each flight.
• Final authority with regard to operations of aircraft and for the safety of passengers, cargo and equipment.
• Must be thoroughly familiar with all aircraft and medical systems of backup aircraft utilized at operational area and also ensures that the medical flight team is familiar and comfortable with the medical interior and systems.
• Responsible for completion of required documentation.
• Able to conduct detailed flight planning with little notice to exacting standards
• Participates regularly in Air Methods meetings, activities, projects, committees and community outreach
• Performs other duties as assigned

Additional Job Requirements

• Regular scheduled attendance
• Indicate the percentage of time spent traveling: 10%

Subject to applicable laws and Air Method’s policies, regular attendance is an essential function of the position. All employees must follow Air Methods’ employment practices and policies.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. In accordance with applicable laws, Air Methods will provide reasonable accommodations that do not create an undue burden so disabled employees may perform the essential functions of the position.

Education & Experience

• 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

Operation and Safety Requirements:

• As a member of the Flight Crew, any person employed in this position shall maintain a weight not to exceed 250 pounds and shall be less than seventy (70) years old.

Skills

• Pilots must have flown in category for a commercial operator or in the military within the previous 24 months
• Maintains positive interpersonal relationships with colleagues, EMS representatives, hospitals and the public and strives to maintain a friendly and professional working environment

Visual Flight Rules (VFR) Program:

• 2,000 total flight hours with a minimum of 1,500 flight hours in category
• 1000 hours PIC in category
• 500 hours of rotor wing turbine time
• 200 hours of cross-country flight time, at least 50 hours of which were at night
• 100 hours unaided night as PIC (50 hours of unaided can be substituted for by 100 hours of NVG time, but cannot be reduced below 50 hours of unaided time)
• 50 hours total actual or hood instrument time in flight and in category (simulator time does not count) (for a RW candidate who is FW rated, 100 hours or greater of FW actual or hood Instrument time can reduce the RW required instrument time to 25 hours).

Instrument Flight rules (IFR) Program:

• 2,500 total flight hours with a minimum of 2,000 hours in category
• 1000 hours PIC in category
• 500 hours of cross-country flight time, 100 hours of night flight time
• 75 hours of actual or simulated instrument time at least 50 hours which were in flight in an aircraft including 20 hours in actual instrument conditions in category

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

• Commercial & Instrument Rating (for category and class of aircraft)
• ATP rating in category meets this requirement
• First OR Second Class FAA Medical certificate required.

This position is subject to drug and/or alcohol testing per the DOT/FAA requirements (pre-employment, random, reasonable cause/suspicion, post-accident). Air Methods is an EEO/AA employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status

Internal bidding for this position ends: November 12, 2026

Benefits

For more information on our industry-leading benefits, please visit our benefits page here.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)

This position will be open and posted until filled, with a minimum posting period of three days.