Pilot Rotor Wing

Air Methods Pilots; Sparta (IL); On-site; USD 83,000 - 93,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, Dental and Vision

Competitive 401(k) Retirement Plan

Tuition Reimbursement

Full Company-Paid Life Insurance

AD&D Insurance

Short-Term and Long-Term Disability

Job summary

Air Methods is seeking exceptional helicopter pilots for the Sparta, IL base to support air medical transport operations 24/7. The role emphasizes safety, regulatory compliance, and coordination with medical crews to deliver patients to receiving hospitals within defined operational areas.

Candidates should have extensive rotor-wing experience, strong night and IFR capabilities, and the ability to perform thorough pre-flight planning with limited notice.

Qualifications

• 2,000 total flight hours with a minimum of 1,500 hours in category.
• 1,000 hours PIC in category.
• 500 hours rotor wing turbine time.
• 200 hours cross-country time with at least 50 hours at night.
• 100 hours unaided night as PIC (50 hours can be substituted by 100 hours NVG).
• IFR program experience in addition to VFR.
• Commercial & Instrument Rating required; ATP preferred.

Responsibilities

• Operates Air Methods aircraft in a safe and legal manner.
• Performs pre-flight checks and complete walk-around before each flight.
• Has final authority for safety of passengers, cargo and equipment.
• Familiar with aircraft/medical systems and team readiness.
• Completes required documentation for flights.
• Conducts detailed flight planning with short notice.
• Participates in meetings, projects, and community outreach.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Skills

2,000 hrs flight time

1,000 hrs PIC

500 hrs rotor wing time

Night flight 50 hrs

IFR experience

VFR experience

Education

AA or equivalent

Bachelor’s preferred

Job description

Overview

Helicopter Pilot - Sparta, IL

ARCH Flight

EC-130 / VFR

82,900 - $93,251

$20,000 Location Stipend

$15,000 Sign-on Bonus

Off Duty Housing Available

AIR METHODS: GO ABOVE AND BEYOND HERE!

As the leader in the air medical industry, Air Methods seeks exceptional pilots to partner with us to serve our communities. We are committed to providing air medical transport resources to our communities 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, while providing our pilots with work life balance. Our #1 objective is to ensure safety to/from every time, so come join our growing and high-performing culture, sparked by teammates who deliver on being the best!

Location

If you’re looking for a place where life feels a little simpler and a lot more connected, Sparta offers a welcoming small-town atmosphere with plenty to enjoy. Known for its rich history and as the "Home of Champions" for its world-class shooting complex, Sparta blends unique attractions with everyday comfort. You’ll find affordable living, friendly neighbors, and a slower pace that makes it easy to truly unwind. Surrounded by scenic countryside yet within reach of larger cities like St. Louis, it’s the kind of place where you can put down roots, enjoy the outdoors, and be part of a community that genuinely feels like home.

Benefits

Air Methods is proud to offer a comprehensive benefits package created with the diverse needs of our teammates in mind:

• Health, Dental and Vision
• Competitive 401(k) Retirement Plan
• Flexible Spending Account Benefit Plans
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Full Company-Paid Life Insurance
• AD&D Insurance
• Short-Term and Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Business Travel Accident Insurance
• Voluntary Legal
• Relocation Assistance
• Employee Assistance and Benefit Concierge Service Programs

Job Summary

Responsible 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

• 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
• 1,000 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
• 1,000 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.

Minimum pay

USD $82,900.00/Yr.

Maximum Pay

USD $93,251.00/Yr.

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.