Aside from the scenic flights many of us probably associate with their work, helicopter pilots also assist in search and rescue missions, transporting staff for offshore work purposes and obtaining aerial footage for news stories.

In Western Australia there are about 416 commercial helicopter pilots. Most work in the State's North West followed by a much smaller number in the Perth metropolitan area. There are also approximately 144 air transport helicopter pilots working in the State. Most of their work is carried out offshore.

Most of the helicopter pilots employed in Western Australia are male.

The number of training places offered each year in the commercial helicopter pilot's licence is dependant on demand and may also be influenced by the number of training aircraft available at a given training provider.

Helicopter pilots, like airline or fixed wing pilots, have the important task of carrying people or cargo for a variety of purposes.

Before Take Off

Just like motorists need to check the condition of their vehicles before travelling to ensure a safe journey, helicopter pilots must also check the condition of their aircraft and its various instruments and equipment. It's also one of their pre take-off duties to study and prepare flight plans so that they know in which direction to head and to help them stay on course.

A quick call to a meteorologist, or an inspection of weather charts before take off is made to determine weather conditions. If they discover, for instance, that they are headed into deteriorating weather or thunderstorms, helicopter pilots might delay their flight.



Throughout their flight, helicopter pilots study information from flight instruments to keep them up to speed with any changes in external conditions such as wind speed and direction.

Ensuring that the helicopter is fuelled and that equipment, be it search and rescue or camera equipment, is loaded onboard is critical before take off.

In Western Australia, the main employers of helicopter pilots are the three commercial television media outlets, the local police service and air transport companies that employ helicopter pilots for either offshore, chartering or rescue missions on behalf of the Royal Australian Air Force. These include Helicopters (Australia), Bristow Helicopters and Lloyd Helicopters. Some helicopter pilots do find employment by mustering cattle or crop dusting in regional areas.



Western Australia Police Service Air Support Helicopter Pilot, Pek Ha, says his work involves doing search and rescue missions throughout the State's metropolitan and regional areas.

''We might receive call outs from the police about someone lost in bush area, or a high speed chase. We can help in these situations because we have an aerial advantage. In the first example, we'd obtain information about the person's whereabouts and other information that might assist us in our search. Then we'd launch our support.''



During flights, Pek is accompanied by two police officers who are trained in First Aid. Helicopter pilots need to concentrate on controlling and navigating the helicopter in the air. In Pek's case, once a lost person has been spotted, his support crew would lower a winch to bring the person to safety.

''I can't see below, which is why I have my support crew. They're my eyes for the areas out of my vision and can help me when there are obstacles below, such as trees and oil rigs. I work very much as part of a team.''



Keen Senses

Because helicopter pilots also often work alone, and because they are responsible for their own, and other peoples' lives during flights, they need to have good judgement, eyesight, hearing and reflexes.


Excellent navigational skills go without saying in a job like this. When they're not flying, these pilots have to inspect navigational charts and read through air regulation paperwork, to keep abreast of any changes. Time is also spent writing flight reports and maintaining flight logs. Helicopter pilots also have to ensure that the helicopters are maintained and that they receive any necessary servicing or repair work.

A Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) representative and theory instructor both agree that the number of commercial helicopter pilots in Western Australia is greater than the number of job opportunities for these pilots. They agree that pilots be prepared to travel to regional areas or interstate to find employment.

Another stumbling block in terms of increasing job opportunities is that employers of helicopter pilots expect them to have an extensive number of flying hours and experience behind them. Again, those new to the industry will more than likely find themselves going in search of cattle mustering or crop dusting work outside of the metropolitan area to accrue these much needed flying hours.


For more information regarding helicopter pilots' salaries, you can look at the Australian Government Workplace Authority link below or contact a training provider such as Heli West directly.

There are no specific educational requirements needed to become a helicopter pilot. However, anyone interested in a career in rotary aircraft will need to obtain a Commercial Helicopter Pilots licence CPL(H).

To obtain the CPL(H), the Australian government regulations require that at least 105 flying hours be completed and a designated seven theory subjects be passed. Only when the exams and the 105 flying hours have been completed will a flight test be considered by the Chief Flying Instructor.

Studying for the CPL theory can completed through a full time ground school, private tuition or via correspondence. Heli West operates a popular flight school at Jandakot Airport and boasts many new aircraft in which the students learn the various, necessary flight techniques. In addition to providing practical flight tuition, Heli West also have a full time ground school.

You can expect to pay approximately $50,000 to reach the level
where you can take a CPL flight test.

Interested? If that's the case, Heli West also offer a Trial Introductory Flight. After a brief explanation of the aircraft's controls, you will take to the skies and when your instrutor is satisfied that all safety aspects have been met, you'll be in control. This could be the start of your career in aviation! For more information, contact Heli West directly or check out the website below.



You can also train to become a helicopter pilot for the Australian Defence Force. For further information, please check out the ADF website below.

	Australian Defence Force
	The ADF can also train you to become a helicopter pilot.
	Heli West
	One of the flight training providers in WA.
	Other Training Providers
	National Training Information Service website.

Heli West
2 Harvard Road Jandakot Airport Jandakot WA 6164 Phone: (08) 9414 1000

Civil Aviation Safety Authority
Phone: 131 757

Western Australian Aviation College
Jandakot Airport Phone: (08) 9417 7733

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Although former Griffin Helicopter's Chief Pilot, Doug Sinclair, describes his job as exciting, his advice to others contemplating this career is to give it serious thought.

''You really have to be certain that it's what you want to do because of the expense involved, and the flying hours needed to gain employment. Many people associate this job with glamour but it's pretty hard work.''

Doug says, however, that if people still choose to go for it, then they've chosen a great job. This pilot's right career decision was made when he was just eight years old, while watching the landing of an army helicopter.

''I was blown away by a machine that was flying like an aeroplane one minute and then hovering in mid air the next. I decided there and then that was what I wanted to do.''

Not surprisingly, Doug opted for the Australian Defence Force to kick start his flying career.

''The Defence Force teaches you to fly, from the first hour through to the captaincy of an operational aircraft. You're trained very well, have a great lifestyle and you even get paid for it.''

After 15 years though, Doug wanted a change of flight scenery. He landed himself a corporate flying job in Perth and formed Griffin Helicopters, which is contracted to Channel 10 and Channel 9.

''The television stations require its pilots to be on call seven days a week on a rostered basis. If a story breaks that requires the helicopter for aerial footage and/or swiftness of response, then with a reporter and cameraperson, I'd fly to the scene. We can either take aerial shots of the scene, which we can send back live to the station, or if appropriate, we can land nearby and allow the reporter and cameraperson to attend the scene on the ground.''

Doug would be called out to various incidents including road or boating accidents, or fires. He recollects one incident.

''It was pretty fierce with fireballs pluming into the sky and it gutted the factory very quickly. I've been flying for about 27 years so I instinctively know how to position the helicopter. However, there are many variables you need to consider, such as wind, weather and other air traffic in order to carry out the task safely. Safety is our primary consideration.''

The need for change recently knocked on Doug's door once again and he has since returned to the naval division of the Australian Defence Force.