Commercial Helicopter Pilot
Operating rotary-wing aircraft on utility support and armed escort missions provides directly transferable helicopter flight experience.
How to prepare: Have a civilian flight school review your military flight records to identify gaps toward the FAA certificates and ratings needed for commercial helicopter work. Commercial certification requires the appropriate medical exam, flight experience and knowledge requirements, and written and practical flight exams.
What the civilian work involves
- Check aircraft prior to flights to ensure that the engines, controls, instruments, and other systems are functioning properly.
- Co-pilot aircraft or perform captain's duties, as required.
- Monitor engine operation, fuel consumption, and functioning of aircraft systems during flights.
Civilian tools and software (examples)
- Aeronautical charts