SAlary & EDucation
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Education:Post- secondaryPost-secondary Helicopter pilots do not need to have a college degree to fly helicopters as a hobby, but those choosing a career as a pilot do need at least some post-secondary schooling. Most employers require pilots to have at least an associate's degree, with many preferring pilots to have a bachelor's degree. Pilots do not necessarily have to choose an aviation-related degree, and many employers prefer those with math, physics and aeronautical engineering degrees. Numerous colleges and universities also offer aviation programs that give the student an associate's or bachelor's degree, along with all the necessary licenses to fly helicopters.
Private LicenseEvery helicopter pilot must obtain a private helicopter pilot license to fly. Students must be at least 17 years old, obtain a FAA medical certificate and pass a FAA written test. Additionally, the student must take at least 40 hours of flight time, 10 of which must be solo flight time. As part of those 40 hours, the student must do three hours of dual cross-country flying, three hours of dual nighttime flying and three hours of solo cross-country flying. The student must also do at least one 75-nautical mile cross-country flight and perform three solo takeoffs and landings.
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Commercial LicenseHelicopter pilots who want to make flying a career must move on to earn a commercial helicopter pilot license. A commercial license requires the student to be at least 18 years old, hold a private helicopter pilot license and FAA medical certificate and complete ground instruction. Following all training hours, the student must pass the FAA written knowledge, oral and practical tests. Students need to complete 20 hours dual flight training, including one dual cross-county and one solo cross-country flight and 10 hours of instrument training. The student must also do at least 10 hours of solo flight training and 100 hours as a pilot-in-command.
Extra Pilots need to have a good understanding of weather (meteorology) and air currents to plan safe and efficient flight routes. Geography can also be helpful for navigation, although GPS has made this less important. They may also use topography which is the art or science of making maps that show the height, shape, etc., of the land in a particular area, for example what altitude you have to fly in order to avoid mountains.
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