VFR Lead Pilot

PHI Air Medical; Sierra Vista (AZ); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Sign-On Bonus up to $50,000

Competitive pay and benefits package

Annual bonuses

Job summary

PHI Air Medical in Sierra Vista, AZ is seeking dedicated pilots for life-saving missions. As part of a premier air ambulance service recognized for exceptional standards, you will manage operations ensuring the safety and compliance of air medical missions. Successful candidates will have relevant helicopter ratings and flying experience, with opportunities including a relocation package and competitive pay structure. Join a renowned team with a commitment to safety and community service.

Qualifications

• Must pass pre-placement physical exam including functional capacity exam.
• Must meet company’s flight personnel weight restriction of 235 lbs or less.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Ensure pilots are knowledgeable and skilled to operate aircraft.
• Coordinate for business planning, marketing, and operation of EMS base.
• Supervise EMS base pilots including professional development.

Skills

Strong Communication

Customer Service Skills

Internal and External Customer Service Skills

Education

Commercial and Instrument Helicopter Ratings

First Class Medical

2,000 Total Hours / 1,500 Hours Helicopter

1,000 Hours PIC Helicopters

500 Hours Turbine Helicopters

Job description

Join our life‑saving team in Sierra Vista, AZ and take advantage of:

• Sign‑On Bonus up to $50,000!

Are you an exceptional pilot looking to make a real impact from the cockpit? PHI Health is seeking skilled and dedicated pilots to join our elite team. You will be at the forefront of life‑saving missions, delivering critical care to those in need with speed, precision, and unwavering commitment.

Who We Are

PHI Health is the leading air ambulance provider in the United States. With an unmatched safety record and the best aviation, medical and communication specialists in the field, we set the standard in the air medical industry. We transport more than 22,000 patients each year from our more than 80 bases across the country, all while offering services and outreach education to local communities and leading healthcare systems. Our mission is simple: move communities to health while maintaining the highest standard of safety, period.

Job Summary

• PHI Air Medical (operating under CAMTS guidelines)
• AS350 VFR/NVG (Instrument rating required)
• 24‑hour operations (day/night rotation)
• If successful applicant requires aircraft transition – 1 year minimum service requirement per CBA
• Relocation package is available – If relocation package is utilized – 2 year minimum service requirement per CBA

Lead Pilot Duties

• Under the supervision of Air Medical Base Supervisor/Business Operations Manager, Area Operations Manager and general direction of the Director of Operations, Chief Pilot, and the Manager of the Scheduling Department, ensure a staff of pilots are maintained with the knowledge and skill required to operate the various types of aircraft at that base I.A.W. General Operations Manual (GOM) and FAA regulations.
• Coordinate with Air Medical Base Supervisor/Business Operations Manager and Area Manager for business planning, marketing and efficient operation of EMS base.
• Supervision of EMS base pilots to include professional development, assessments, counseling and recommending disciplinary action as required.
• Responsible to work with Air Medical Base Supervisor/Business Operations Manager for scheduling base pilots' occupational health compliance, safety training and assisting the Training Dept in the scheduling of recurrent training.
• Per base scheduling duties to include monthly schedule, workover assignments and status, sick call, vacation/open shift coverage, to include collaboration with other lead pilots, if necessary to cover open shifts.
• If off duty and unavailable, the lead pilot will assure that open shifts are covered by a responsible party.
• Timely distribution of monthly schedule to appropriate departments including timely updates regarding changes to Area Manager and appropriate offices/supervisors.
• Responsible to work with Air Medical Base Supervisor/Business Operations Manager for base pilots' bonus/expense voucher approvals for payment.
• Audits routine base bills and processes for payment. Per other duties that may be assigned to them by the Air Medical Base Supervisor/Business Operations Manager and Area Operations Manager.
• Ensure that all paperwork and reports are neat, accurate and submitted in a timely manner.
• Ensure compliance with FAA Regulations and Company Policies and Procedures by all personnel under their supervision.
• Keeps the Area and Maintenance Managers and Scheduling Department informed of the operational status of his/her aircraft.
• Participate in safety meetings and assist the base safety representatives in ensuring flight safety, maintaining a safe workplace and safety audits.

Other

• External search may run concurrently with internal job posting.
• Successful applicant will participate in community outreach programs and adhere to PHI Air Medical policies.
• Some lifting will be required to assist in the loading and unloading of patients and equipment.
• Perform line pilot duties IAW GOM.
• Support Safety Management System, Destination Zero, and other company safety campaigns.
• Work with both internal and external customers to provide safe, efficient, courteous, and reliable service.

Compensation And Benefits

• We offer a range of competitive pay and benefits package to keep our teams happy, healthy, and invested.
• This package includes competitive pay, shift bonuses, shift incentives, Annual Safety Bonus, Annual Employee Bonus, and much more!

The Successful Candidate Will Have

• Commercial and Instrument Helicopter Ratings
• First Class Medical
• CAMTS Requirement // 2,000 Total Hours // 1,500 Hours Helicopter // 1,000 Hours PIC Helicopters // 500 Hours Turbine Helicopters // 100 Hours in Unaided Night Operations or 50 Hours Unaided and 100 Hours Night Vision Goggles (NVG)
• Must meet and maintain the company’s flight personnel weight restriction policy, which limits individual weight to 235 lbs or less
• Strong Communication, Internal and External Customer Service Skills
• Interview and acceptance by customer/PHI management
• Must be able to pass pre-placement physical exam including functional capacity exam (strength and flexibility assessment, lift 100 pounds to assist in the loading and unloading of patients and equipment.), drug screening and background screen.
• Demonstrated Internal and External Customer Service skills
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills

Schedule/Location

• Schedule 7/7, Day of week the base changes schedules, and schedule change may be required
• Must reside within 1-hour or less commute of the base

Our Core Competencies

• Safe. We are absolute in our belief in the tenets of Destination Zero and that Zero is not only achievable, but the only acceptable outcome.
• Efficient. We are focused on outcomes that are smart and responsible by making the best use of our resources to maximize overall productivity and achieve sustainable profitability as a high performing organization.
• Quality. We are committed to ensuring excellent organizational performance which produces sustainable and reliable outcomes.
• Service. We are dedicated to the service of our customers, our communities and each other.

The PHI Health Advantage

For more than 40 years, our company has been providing critical air medical transport services across the country. As an organization, we outfit each aircraft we fly with the most advanced technology, subject our crews to the most rigorous protocols and training and pioneer the most-forward thinking safety program in the country.

Everything that we do comes back to the safety of our crew and our patients. Our accident rate is well below the national average and we were the first to receive the Vision Zero Aviation Safety Award. This belief has guided us towards a number of industry firsts and has given us the highest safety rating in the industry.

DISCLAIMER

The above Statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed, as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified.

PHI, Inc. provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.