Go Back  PPRuNe Forums > Aircrew Forums > Rotorheads
Reload this Page >

How much do helicopter pilots earn?

Rotorheads A haven for helicopter professionals to discuss the things that affect them

How much do helicopter pilots earn?

Old 21st Sep 2008, 09:13
  #361 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Sweden
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Swedish military

As a pilot in the Swedish armed forces (fixed wing or heli, same same) you start at 38 000 SEK (about 5600USD) per month. After tax you get about 4500USD. Each year you get a raise of about 110USD, no more, no less. When reaching 1000hrs, after about 8 years or so, you would typically earn about 7600USD (before tax). Of course you also have loss of license, pension and healthcare etc. Loss of license in this case means that you are offered other jobs within the Air Force, for example as a planning officer or you can specialise in Personel recovery, countermeasures (chaff+flares) and so on. You would in this case keep your salary, earning as much as you would flying.

Don´t know if this is good or bad...what´s you opinion?
Achilleos is offline  
Old 9th Apr 2010, 16:29
  #362 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Abu Dhabi
Posts: 1,078
Received 5 Likes on 3 Posts
* Job Role: Pilot
* Job Hours: Full-Time
* Location: Bristol
* Job Position: Permanent
* Company: Avon and Somerset Constabulary
* Salary: £36,033 - £38,805 per annum
* Job reference: 69/10
* Posted Date: 08 April 2010 15:22:53

Western Counties Air Operations Unit, Filton, Bristol

37 hours per week, Permanent

Western Counties Air Operations Unit is based at Filton Airfield in Bristol and supports Avon and Somerset and Gloucestershire Constabularies. The Unit operates its own EC135 aircraft and we are looking for an experienced pilot to join our team of Pilots and Police Observers.

You must have a UK Airline Transport Pilot Licence (Helicopters) or Joint Aviation
Requirements Commercial Pilot Licence (Helicopters); have flying experience of
2000 hours rotary total with 500 hours as Pilot in Command including 100 hours night. Five years experience of flying helicopters and 100 hours experience of twin rotary aircraft is also essential.

Experience of Police aviation with knowledge of CAP 612, an EC 135 type rating and 200 hours as Pilot in Command at night is desirable. The ability to prepare and update written reports and to maintain accurate records is also advantageous.

For an informal discussion or to find out more about the position please contact Keith Sturgess on 0117 9364149

To instantly download an application form and receive up to date vacancies, please visit our website by clicking the Apply now button. Alternatively, please call the number listed in the 'View Contact Details' section.
(answerphone). No agencies.

The closing date for receipt of applications is Friday 30 April 2010

Interviews will be taking place during the week 17-21 May 2010

Avon and Somerset Constabulary is committed to Equal Opportunities.

We particularly welcome applications from members of minority ethnic groups and
people with disabilities who are currently underrepresented in our workforce.

All applications will be treated on merit.
We operate a ‘No Smoking’ policy.
Regards
Aser
Aser is offline  
Old 9th Apr 2010, 17:46
  #363 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: UK
Age: 70
Posts: 1,364
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
It will be very interesting to see the calibre of candidate for this one. Way below normal rates for directly-employed police pilots: even less than contract pilots.

I guess the only people interested and qualified will be ex-mil keen to take their first step into civi aviation, and then only because their need for a decent salary is cushioned by a pension. In the current economic climate, perhaps not though ....
Helinut is offline  
Old 9th Apr 2010, 17:58
  #364 (permalink)  
hueyracer
Guest
 
Posts: n/a


Thank you for that post.....i was worried about being the only one thinking that the wages would be too low for direct entry with those specific requirements...

It would be okay if it was tax-free.......
 
Old 9th Apr 2010, 18:06
  #365 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: UK
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
That salary is an insult! The PSNI job was low paid and this is even lower! Contract pilots get around 45k and most direct employed police pilots start on nearer 50.
WOMBAT45 is offline  
Old 9th Apr 2010, 21:09
  #366 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: SW England
Age: 69
Posts: 1,491
Received 61 Likes on 33 Posts
...particularly as exceptionally high CRM standards are required at that unit.

Perhaps the constabulary are trying to recover some of the unusually high costs to the Force incurred by a current incumbent.

Hope the person whose departure made this post available has as much fun as I did in his next job.
Thud_and_Blunder is online now  
Old 9th Apr 2010, 21:16
  #367 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Suffolk, UK.
Age: 65
Posts: 61
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Perhaps it's a late April fools joke......................I was working with an ASU up north for a large onshore company 11 years ago, and that's what I got paid then! I also had the type rating thrown in along with the pension scheme, loss of licence insurance and BUPA medical cover. And being a smoker I was also given equal opportunities.
Blind Bob is offline  
Old 10th Apr 2010, 07:43
  #368 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: uk
Posts: 1,658
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
To have the qualifications for that job, and then go and accept that salary?? An insult. My mate who is a lorry driver (car transporter) earns more than that!
People who have that sort of experience will have been earning way more than what they're offering there, surely?
Oh well, looks like the days of pilots being paid well are coming to an end. Just another job.
helimutt is offline  
Old 10th Apr 2010, 11:48
  #369 (permalink)  
flap flap flap
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
It's a VFR job, no requirement for an IR. Maybe that's why the pay is low.

It's probably a great job for someone wanting to move on from instructing/onshore VFR charter.

But it's a step down for anyone currently offshore. Although the flying will be more interesting/challenging.
 
Old 10th Apr 2010, 12:27
  #370 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Belgium
Age: 60
Posts: 494
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Don't know a lot of instructors with ME time not even a lot of turbine time. Salaries like that are an absolute joke.
HillerBee is offline  
Old 10th Apr 2010, 13:54
  #371 (permalink)  
flap flap flap
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Mmmm.. yeah I guess not many instructors have ME time.

But I bet they are still swamped with applications, plenty of ex-mil people around looking for jobs and £36,000 is still an above average salary, and it's better than mini-cabbing to pay the bills.

The sad fact is that in this climate employers will try to get away with paying the absolute minumum as they know there are tons of pilots looking for work.

It makes me wonder how the industry will end up in 5-10 years, will it go down the fixed-wing route? ie. No hope of a job unless you have a IR, correct multi-type rating and plenty of twin hours in your logbook, (oh and your uncle is the chief training captain), and then the employer will expect you to work for £5.50 an hour while they line train you for your temporary "seasonal" contract....
 
Old 10th Apr 2010, 14:32
  #372 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: UK
Posts: 188
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
You said it all flap.

Presently we are not (that bad) affected by the FW industry. My fear is that it will soon come to us too. I see some signs, by the way I can read in this forum that Bond Helicopters is going the Ryan way. Then the other players in the British isles will have to follow or lose contracts.......
Tango123 is offline  
Old 10th Apr 2010, 16:13
  #373 (permalink)  
flap flap flap
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
changing times....

Well, years ago a large north sea operator used to sponsor students for CPL & IR....then it became IR only...then it became no sponsorship...then it became no seniority if you paid for your own IR...now they are reluctant to recruit people without an offshore type rating and offshore experience....
 
Old 10th Apr 2010, 16:28
  #374 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: uk
Age: 48
Posts: 53
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Sounds like the case at present but how long before there are not a surplus of pilots with all ratings out there willing to work for food? In FAAland you can understand but it costs quite a lot more to but a JAA ticket together.

How long before there are no JAA IR holders left seeking work? (either through not being current/get bored hanging out or cpl's just flat out refuse to waste money on IR as they cant see it paying for itself?)
noblades is offline  
Old 10th Apr 2010, 16:52
  #375 (permalink)  
flap flap flap
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Nice thought, but I can't see it. There are tons of IR'd folk gasping for offshore jobs and I reckon Bristow Academy is churning out about 40-50 JAA CPL/IR grads a year.

There's still no shortage of people willing to drop £90,000+ of their (or their parents') money on getting a CPL/IR.

Especially when you consider the amount of student debt just to get a mickey-mouse degree in golf course management/pop music

New poll exposes student debt worries The Journal

Sending little Johnnie to be a pilot doesn't look that expensive. Especially when you consider average graduate starting salary is a mere £20,000 (IF he can get a job).

What is the average graduate starting salary?

Plus... a degree takes 3-4 years of living costs etc. You can get a JAA CPL/IR within 15 months if you try.

I can't see there being a shortage of 'new' pilots. Maybe a shortage of experienced people with the right hours/type rating. But I think that's always been the case.

Apologies for any thread creep. Mods feel free to move.
 
Old 10th Apr 2010, 17:43
  #376 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: uk
Posts: 1,658
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
So it's a VFR role. yes, but to get an ATPL, I can tell you it isn't something everyone gets on the back of a packet of cornflakes!

So, straight away the candidate will have a lot of experience, and have flown Multi engine and hold a current IR.

Oh well, just hope the person that gets the job realises by doing so they are starting us all on that slippery slope.
Ryanair helicopters anyone? We'll be paying to sit in the left seat soon.

Last edited by helimutt; 10th Apr 2010 at 20:05.
helimutt is offline  
Old 10th Apr 2010, 17:56
  #377 (permalink)  
flap flap flap
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
In the old days you could get a CAA ATPL Licence by getting 1,000 hours, I think. No need for an IR or multi time.
 
Old 10th Apr 2010, 20:07
  #378 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: uk
Posts: 1,658
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
So basically, the old ATPL is crap compared to todays ATPL due to the number of hoops to jump through and required experience nowadays?
helimutt is offline  
Old 11th Apr 2010, 02:28
  #379 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Under my coconut tree
Posts: 650
Received 5 Likes on 2 Posts
Helimutt,

No, the old ATPL/H is not crap at all

I was given one when I was a snotty young 1200 hour go getter and on top of that Bond then gave me an IR

The fact that they were free doesn,t make me a crap pilot with a total lack of useless theory stuck up me crack

Place and time, place and time....
griffothefog is offline  
Old 11th Apr 2010, 21:30
  #380 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Shropshire
Posts: 660
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Tango123

Please explain how "Bond Helicopters is going the Ryan way". I'm pretty much 'in there' and have been working next door to a Ryanair staff portakabin. I know where I would rather be at the moment!

Cheers

TeeS
TeeS is offline  

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.