Helicopter Pilot

Air Methods

Helicopter Pilot operating EC135 aircraft for Air Methods, an air medical transport provider, in Thermal, California. Transporting patients and medical crews safely under VFR while meeting FAA and company flight requirements.

Posted 8/5/2026full-timeThermal • California • 🇺🇸 United StatesJuniorMid-Level💰 $82,900 - $93,251 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

Use this summary to align your resume positioning with the role.

Demonstrates extensive flight experience with a focus on safety and compliance, including detailed flight planning and thorough knowledge of aviation regulations. Holds necessary certifications and maintains strong interpersonal relationships within the medical and aviation communities.

Highest-signal resume keywords

2,000 Total Flight Hours1,500 Hours In Category1,000 Hours PIC In CategoryFAA Medical CertificateInstrument Rating

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Flight PlanningAircraft OperationsPre-Flight InspectionsRotor Wing Turbine FlightCross-Country Flight TimeNight Flight ExperienceInstrument TimeAircraft Airworthiness VerificationMedical Systems FamiliarityDocumentation Completion

Soft Skills

Positive Interpersonal Relationships

Certifications & Qualifications

FAA Medical CertificateInstrument RatingFixed-Wing Multiengine RatingCommercial Single-Engine Land

Industry Keywords

Federal Aviation RegulationsAeronautical Information ManualGeneral Operations ManualAir Methods PoliciesEMS Collaboration

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Operate Air Methods aircraft in a safe and legal manner
Complete pre-flight inspections and verify aircraft airworthiness through the Daily Flight Log
Perform a complete aircraft walk-around before entering the cockpit and after each flight
Exercise final authority over aircraft operations and the safety of passengers, cargo, and equipment
Maintain familiarity with aircraft and medical systems on backup aircraft
Ensure the medical flight team is familiar and comfortable with the medical interior and systems
Complete required documentation
Conduct detailed flight planning with little notice to exacting standards
Participate regularly in Air Methods meetings, activities, projects, committees, and community outreach
Perform other duties as assigned

Requirements

What you’ll need

Associate’s degree (A.A.) or equivalent from a two-year college or technical school and two to five years’ related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience
Bachelor’s degree preferred
Maintain weight not exceeding 250 pounds
Be less than 70 years old
Must have flown in category within the previous 24 months
2,000 total flight hours with at least 1,500 hours in category
1,000 hours PIC in category
500 hours of rotor wing turbine flight time
200 hours of cross-country flight time, including at least 50 hours at night
100 hours unaided night as PIC, with specified NVG substitution rules
50 hours total actual or hood instrument time in flight and in category, with specified fixed-wing substitution rules
Instrument rating for the category and class of aircraft; ATP rating in category meets this requirement
Fixed-wing multiengine rating required for twin-engine aircraft
Commercial single-engine land required for single-engine aircraft
First or Second Class FAA Medical Certificate required
Thorough knowledge of Federal Aviation Regulations, Aeronautical Information Manual, General Operations Manual guidelines, and Air Methods policies and procedures
Ability to perform detailed flight planning with little notice
Positive interpersonal relationships with colleagues, EMS representatives, hospitals, and the public

Benefits

Comp & perks

110% ACCRA
$7,500 stipend
Experience stipend up to $12,000
Off-duty housing available
$15,000 sign-on bonus
Health, dental and vision
Competitive 401(k) retirement plan
Flexible spending account benefit plans
Tuition reimbursement
Full company-paid life insurance
AD&D insurance
Short-term and long-term disability insurance
Business travel accident insurance
Voluntary legal benefits
Relocation assistance
Employee assistance and benefit concierge service programs