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Engineering ServicesISCO 3153

Helicopter pilot

A helicopter pilot is a person who flies a helicopter: carrying passengers and cargo, planning the flight and answering for the aircraft from the pre-flight inspection to shutdown.

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Check yourself in a minute: helicopter pilot

Rate 5 of the 35 essential skills of this occupation (European ESCO data). No account needed.

undertake procedures to meet helicopter flight requirements

perform risk analysis

interpret visual literacy

read maps

have spatial awareness

About helicopter pilot

Before the flight, the pilot plans the route on aeronautical charts, uses navigation instruments and cockpit displays, and checks the weather, the mass and balance and the fuel reserve. Before departure a checklist is worked through: hydraulic fluid leaks, play and function in the control system, fuel level, the state of the rotor and of the safety equipment.

The pilot carries out the procedures required for the type, takes off and lands where there is no runway: at helipads, on platforms and at off-airfield sites, carrying passengers and cargo from place to place.

Safety rests on procedures and on communication. The pilot applies the common aviation safety rules, carries out routine checks of flight operations and risk analysis, keeps in contact with air traffic services across several channels, and follows the procedures in force in an airport's operational area. The job requires a helicopter pilot licence, aeromedical certification and periodic proficiency checks.

Key Work Functions

Core areas of responsibility for a helicopter pilot.

1

Flight Planning and Navigation

  • Analyze aeronautical charts and plan flight routes considering geographic areas and air traffic
  • Use navigation instruments and GPS systems to maintain accurate positioning
  • Read maps and interpret visual literacy for navigation
2

Pre-Flight and Safety Operations

  • Conduct thorough pre-flight inspections following strict checklists
  • Identify and address potential safety issues including mechanical problems
  • Implement airside safety procedures and maintain ongoing regulatory compliance
3

Flight Execution and Aircraft Control

  • Operate helicopter controls using visual flight rules and instrument systems
  • Manage aircraft flight control systems and monitor engine performance
  • Maintain spatial awareness and adapt to changing flight conditions
4

Communication and Air Traffic Management

  • Operate radio equipment and maintain continuous communication with air traffic control
  • Use different communication channels appropriately for various flight situations
  • Understand and comply with air traffic control operations and regulations
5

Weather Assessment and Risk Management

  • Analyze meteorological information to assess flight safety
  • Perform comprehensive risk analysis before and during flights
  • Make critical decisions regarding flight continuation or diversion
6

Cargo and Passenger Management

  • Coordinate freight loading and ensure proper weight and balance distribution
  • Understand and apply appropriate freight transport methods
  • Ensure passenger safety and comfort during flight operations

European Skills Framework

Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.

Essential (35)

geographic areasgeographic areasThe detailed knowledge of a geographical area where different organisations carry out operations.aircraft flight control systemsaircraft flight control systemsThe setting, features and operation of aircraft flight control systems such as flight control surfaces, cockpit controls, connections, and operating mechanisms required to control the flight direction...freight transport methodsfreight transport methodsThe different modalities of freight transport such as air, sea, or intermodal freight transport, including the details and procedures specific to them.air transport lawair transport lawThe rules and regulations governing air transport, including international law.common aviation safety regulationscommon aviation safety regulationsThe body of legislation and regulations that apply to the field of civil aviation at regional, national, European and International levels.undertake procedures to meet helicopter flight requirementsundertake procedures to meet helicopter flight requirementsEnsure that operation certificates are valid, guarantee that take-off mass is a maximum of 3,175 kg, verify that the minimum crew is adequate according to regulations and needs, ensure that the config...perform risk analysisperform risk analysisIdentify and assess factors that may jeopardise the success of a project or threaten the organisation's functioning. Implement procedures to avoid or minimise their impact.interpret visual literacyinterpret visual literacyInterpret charts, maps, graphics, and other pictorial presentations used in place of the written word.read mapsread mapsRead maps effectively.use different communication channelsuse different communication channelsMake use of various types of communication channels such as verbal, handwritten, digital and telephonic communication with the purpose of constructing and sharing ideas or information.have spatial awarenesshave spatial awarenessBe aware of your position and the space around you. Understand the relationship of objects around you when there is a change of position.address aircraft mechanical issuesaddress aircraft mechanical issuesIdentify and resolve mechanical issues which arise during flight. Identify malfunctions in fuel gauges, pressure indicators and other electrical, mechanical or hydraulic components.operate cockpit control panelsoperate cockpit control panelsOperates control panels in the cockpit or flight deck according to the needs of the flight. Manage on-board electronic systems to ensure a smooth flight.perform flight manoeuvresperform flight manoeuvresPerform flight manoeuvres in critical situations, and associated ‘upset’ manoeuvres, in order to avoid collision.read 3D displaysread 3D displaysRead 3D-displays and understand the information they provide on positions, distances, and other parameters.comply with air traffic control operationscomply with air traffic control operationsAct in compliance with instruction provided by air traffic controllers.perform take off and landingperform take off and landingPerform normal and cross-wind take-off and landing operations.operate radar equipmentoperate radar equipmentOperate radar screens and other radar equipment. Ensure that aircraft fly at a safe distance from one another.comply with checklistscomply with checklistsFollow checklists and ensure compliance with all the items included in them.undertake procedures to meet aircraft flight requirementsundertake procedures to meet aircraft flight requirementsEnsure that operation certificates are valid, guarantee that take-off mass is a maximum of 3,175 kg, verify that the minimum crew is adequate according to regulations and needs, ensure that the config...perform routine flight operations checksperform routine flight operations checksPerform checks before and during flight: conduct pre-flight and in-flight inspections of aircraft performance, route and fuel usage, runway availability, airspace restrictions, etc.follow verbal instructionsfollow verbal instructionsHave the ability to follow spoken instructions received from colleagues. Strive to understand and clarify what is being requested.implement airside safety proceduresimplement airside safety proceduresApply a series of airfield safety rules and procedures to ensure a safe working environment for airport crew.respond to changing navigation circumstancesrespond to changing navigation circumstancesRespond decisively and in sufficient time to unexpected and rapidly changing situations while navigating.inspect aircraftinspect aircraftConduct inspections of aircraft and aircraft components, their parts, appliances, and equipment, to identify malfunctions such as fuel leaks or flaws in electrical and pressurisation systems.ensure aircraft compliance with regulationensure aircraft compliance with regulationEnsure that every aircraft complies with applicable regulation and all components and equipment have officially valid components.ensure ongoing compliance with regulationsensure ongoing compliance with regulationsConduct tasks and procedures to ensure that aviation certificates maintain their validity; undertake safeguarding measures as appropriate.operate radio equipmentoperate radio equipmentSet up and operate radio devices and accessories, such as broadcast consoles, amplifiers, and microphones. Understand the basics of radio operator language and, when necessary, provide instruction in ...air traffic control operationsair traffic control operationsThe procedures for organising air traffic, preventing collisions and ensuring smooth operations during flights, and the tasks performed by air traffic controllers, including Interaction and effective ...visual flight rulesvisual flight rulesTypes of flight rules which are a compilation of regulations that allow pilots to fly aircrafts in clear as well as unclear weather conditions whereby it is declared that outside visual reference to t...use meteorological informationuse meteorological informationUse and interpret meteorological information for operations dependent on climatic conditions. Use this information to provide advise on safe operations in relation to weather conditions.analyse weather forecastanalyse weather forecastAnalyse weather forecasts and the information provided on meteorological conditions, such as wind forces, atmospheric structures, clouds, and visibility. Constantly monitor weather conditions to maint...civil aviation regulationscivil aviation regulationsThe body of regulations, rules and signals that apply to the field of civil aviation, including marshalling signals.handle stressful situations in the work placehandle stressful situations in the work placeDeal with and manage highly stressful situations in the workplace by following adequate procedures, communicating in a quiet and effective manner, and remaining level-headed when taking decisions.operate radio navigation instrumentsoperate radio navigation instrumentsOperate radio navigation instruments to determine the position of aircraft in the airspace.
Optional (3) — show
carry out navigational calculationscarry out navigational calculationsSolve mathematical problems to achieve safe navigation.have computer literacyhave computer literacyUtilise computers, IT equipment and modern day technology in an efficient way.act reliablyact reliablyProceed in a way that one can be relied on or depended on.

Related Occupations

Occupations that need many of the same essential skills, so the move between them is shortest.

co-pilot28 shared essential skillsairline transport pilot26 shared essential skillscommercial pilot26 shared essential skillsprivate pilot24 shared essential skillsair force pilot23 shared essential skillsaircraft pilot21 shared essential skillssecond officer17 shared essential skillsair traffic controller12 shared essential skills

Frequently asked questions

What does a helicopter pilot do?

Helicopter pilots fly helicopters in order to transport passengers and cargo from one place to another. They plan flights using aeronautical charts and navigation instruments. Prior to departure, they inspect helicopters following checklists to detect leaking hydraulic fluid, inoperative control, low fuel level, or other unsafe conditions.

What skills does a helicopter pilot need?

A helicopter pilot needs 35 essential skills, including geographic areas, aircraft flight control systems, freight transport methods, air transport law, common aviation safety regulations.

Will AI replace helicopter pilot jobs?

The AI disruption score for helicopter pilot is 41/100 (moderate risk). Skills most exposed to automation: comply with checklists, carry out navigational calculations, civil aviation regulations. Most resilient: perform flight manoeuvres, act reliably, perform routine flight operations checks.

Quick Facts

SectorEngineering Services
ISCO GroupScience and engineering associate professionals
Essential Skills35

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