Description
Pilot and navigate helicopters for nonscheduled commercial operations such as charter, air ambulance, utility, offshore, and air tours. Requires a Commercial Rotorcraft-Helicopter certificate; instrument rating may be required. Duties include VFR/IFR operations, remote-site and confined-area landings, and coordination with ground and air traffic. Excludes airline transport fixed-wing pilots.
- • Perform preflight inspections of rotor systems, engines, controls, avionics, and hydraulics.
- • Communicate with ATC and flight service for clearances, advisories, and landing zone instructions.
- • Start engines, engage rotors, and pilot helicopters to transport passengers, patients, or cargo per procedures.
- • Monitor engine and rotor performance, power margins, fuel state, and system indications.
- • Calculate performance using density altitude, weight, wind, and HIGE/HOGE requirements.
- • Adjust fuel, payload, routes, or schedules to maintain safety and performance limits.
- • Review weight-and-balance, weather, NOTAMs, terrain, and obstacles to plan missions.
- • Plan routes using aeronautical charts, low-level corridors, and onboard navigation systems.
- • Fly by instruments when required; file and fly IFR as authorized.
- • Verify baggage, cargo, or medical equipment is secured and within limits.
- • Request altitude, route, or speed changes to avoid weather, terrain, or traffic.
- • Select routes and altitudes for obstacle clearance, efficiency, comfort, and noise abatement.
- • Coordinate with ground crews, dispatch, EMS teams, and ATC; brief crews on procedures and risks.
- • Record flight times, fuel, landing zones, and discrepancies in flight and maintenance logs.
- • Teach or mentor company SOPs and local procedures when assigned.
- • Conduct in-flight functional checks and evaluate equipment or modifications as required.
- • Perform EMS or rescue missions, including patient pickup or evacuation, as authorized.
- • Supervise crew members such as medical staff, loadmasters, or tour staff during operations.
- • Conduct preflight and postflight checks; perform minor servicing and arrange maintenance.
- • Evaluate pilot proficiency during line checks or observation flights when designated.
- • Develop mission plans, risk assessments, and schedules; prepare post-mission reports.
- • Serve as pilot in command or second in command, as required.
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Last reviewed: Jan 2026
