Preparing for Your First Helicopter Position

Most insurance companies require you to have at least 500 hours of experience before they’ll start providing coverage to helicopter pilots, so it can be a little bit of a challenge to actually start regularly getting into the cockpit. You might also find it challenging to get a hold of senior chief pilots who will have the time to take you under their wing and give you some instruction about what you can do to actually get behind the controls.

Eventually, though, you’re going to get your first helicopter position, and when you’ve got it, it’s important you’re prepared for the job. Here are some tips and guidelines from our helicopter company in Montana that will help you get into your first helicopter position quickly so you can get into the skies and begin your career:

• Take training seriously: We cannot overemphasize the importance of committing to your training. You’ll absolutely stand out as a student pilot if you are very clearly committed to your training and excel at what you’re being taught. This means putting in the work to study, practice and ask questions when you have them. Not only will this make you a better pilot, as you’ll be more prepared for every situation, but it will also make a good impression on industry professionals who may be able to connect you with places that have openings.
• Make a good impression: Your attitude and the way you present yourself as a pilot are critical to finding a helicopter position. You should be considerate, enjoy your work and be easy and pleasant to work with. Being cocky, anti-authoritarian or overly macho will turn off potential companies that are hiring pilots. Professionalism is key.
• Be dedicated in your search: If you’re not hired immediately after you graduate, you’re going to need to stay dedicated in your job search. It might take months, or even longer, to get a permanent position behind the controls. During this time, you should continue actively searching for a position, updating your resume and visiting potential employers. You might need to be willing to move to an area where your services are in greater demand.
• Be prepared to jump on an opportunity: You might go months without getting any leads, but then have something suddenly pop up. For this reason, you should always be prepared for these opportunities. Stay up to date about the latest news in the industry and topics such as maintenance procedures, general operations and transportation of dangerous goods.
• Get behind the controls whenever possible: When you visit potential employers, take the chance (if you can) to get in an hour of flying to add some time to your record and to stay current with your skills. This will look good on your resume and make you a better pilot in general.

Looking for more information about how you can prepare yourself for a position at a helicopter company in Montana? Contact Rocky Mountain Rotors today for more tips.

Categorised in: Helicopter Company