Helicopter Pilot Job Outlook

By Kyle Garrett

The entire helicopter industry is rapidly expanding and the number of helicopter pilot jobs continues to rise. Traditionally, most helicopter industry jobs were filled with Vietnam war era pilots who were all trained in the military and had a huge number of flight hours in their logbook when they returned from overseas. Employers, always wanting to hire pilots with the most experience, had their choice of who to hire and getting a job was more difficult. Read more about helicopter pilot salaries.

Helicopter Pilot Job Demand High

Today, those Vietnam era pilots are retiring, the helicopter industry has grown, and new helicopter pilots are in high demand. As a result, employers have reduced their hourly requirements from several thousand to sometimes as low as 500 hours for hiring eligibility. This means that newly-minted helicopter pilots with just a few months of flying as an instructor are eligible for some entry level helicopter pilot jobs.

Helicopter Pilot Job Growth

The Bureau of Labor Statistics forecasts job growth for all pilot jobs for the foreseeable future, saying that careers for pilots are expected to increase by 12 percent between 2008 and 2012. Helicopter pilots with the most training, hours, and education will have the easiest time getting jobs, so you'll need to plan accordingly. Research helicopter pilot training.