How much do helicopter pilots earn?
Joined: Aug 2000
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From: Liverpool based Geordie, so calm down, calm down kidda!!
An insult wage, shame on you!! I got that as a contract pilot starting wage over 6 years ago. Salaries are 10 grand higher nowadays. I hope you get everything that you deserve with your candidates......
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 1,669
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From: uk
I wish my sarcasm came through on a forum. I'm not knocking anyone's licence, no matter what level/time etc it's from and certainly don't think it's crap. I just felt that the salary offered for the job we were discussing, is very low all things considered. Unless of course they are looking for a certain candidate. 
If they offered £49k i'd apply, cos it wouldn't be a pay cut for me, but i'd rather be unemployed than accept £10k less.
If they offered £49k i'd apply, cos it wouldn't be a pay cut for me, but i'd rather be unemployed than accept £10k less.
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 275
Likes: 1
From: Behind the curve
To answer the original question, albeit from many years ago, offshore North Sea salaries are approximately: new First Officer £40k, year 3 Senior First Officer £55k and year 10 Captain £85k.
Add to this a roster of equal time, or nearly equal days on and off duty, plus sleeping in your own bed most nights (unless working at a 'satellite' base) and you can understand why there are piles of hopeful application forms.
How long all this will continue is a moot point, but the vast majority of offshore pilots maintain their membership subscriptions to BALPA in the hope of prolonging this situation. Madness not to!
Add to this a roster of equal time, or nearly equal days on and off duty, plus sleeping in your own bed most nights (unless working at a 'satellite' base) and you can understand why there are piles of hopeful application forms.
How long all this will continue is a moot point, but the vast majority of offshore pilots maintain their membership subscriptions to BALPA in the hope of prolonging this situation. Madness not to!
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 3,670
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From: UK
This forms another part of the "swiss cheese" puzzle that leads to an accident eventually. I knew they were suffering from internal politics, but this is another example of employing a Chief Pilot and totally ignoring his advice.
This is the same salary as an Arriva bus driver.
Absolutely derisory remuneration for a professional position such as this.
The industry is going backwards.
God help the CP who has to maintain CAA standards and the PAOC.
This is the same salary as an Arriva bus driver.
Absolutely derisory remuneration for a professional position such as this.
The industry is going backwards.
God help the CP who has to maintain CAA standards and the PAOC.
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 1,669
Likes: 5
From: uk
Add to this a roster of equal time, or nearly equal days on and off duty, plus sleeping in your own bed most nights (unless working at a 'satellite' base) and you can understand why there are piles of hopeful application forms
To become an Arriva bus driver has to cost less than £110k and take a lot less time and stress.
+1 What TC said.
Joined: Aug 2000
Aviation Qualifications: ATP+Mil
Posts: 1,629
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From: SW England
Tango, are you perhaps under the impression that Bond are involved in this police contract? If so, I can (in the strongest possible terms) assure you that they are not - Western Counties went independent from PAS some years ago. Bond's operation at Filton is the Air Ambulance contract - an entirely separate venture totally unconnected with the police.
Having just returned to the land of the internet from 5 delightful days at sea off North Rona working for Bond, I've checked my internal mail (yup - 4% pay rise going ahead as promised over 2 years ago), had my previous month's allowances and expenses paid in full and received confirmation that - at my grand old age (see left) - Bond are putting me through my IR later this year in time to take up 'floater' duties on the new aircraft being provided for the lighthouse contract. I bet there's a lot of folk out there who wish the industry was all going Bond's way
Having just returned to the land of the internet from 5 delightful days at sea off North Rona working for Bond, I've checked my internal mail (yup - 4% pay rise going ahead as promised over 2 years ago), had my previous month's allowances and expenses paid in full and received confirmation that - at my grand old age (see left) - Bond are putting me through my IR later this year in time to take up 'floater' duties on the new aircraft being provided for the lighthouse contract. I bet there's a lot of folk out there who wish the industry was all going Bond's way
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
From: uae
"the scene" in south america
i ve been reading the threads for quite a while now and i see what the brazilian offshore pilots went through in the 80's 90's they were earning such low salaries that they had a strike for 2 weeks
for you to have a rough idea....
f/o salaries were about 500usd/month
capt salaries 1000usd month .... afterwards and all the sindicate took action lawsuits and all those formalaties...today the scenario in the offshore is pretty descent .. specially after bristow and other major companies bought few of the brazilian operators the salaries went well over descent
a f/o depending in wich company there is "behind" will be making about 6000usd month 15/15 roster ,
captains about 10,000usd month and they are still having trouble to hold piltos because of executives in sao paulo are hiring every one in the field....
i dont know how does it really work in uk but if I was in that scenario described i would look to other countries that are paying a lil better ,
ex africa,middle east qatar, pay a lot for offshore flying at least for some time till you get a better resume or enought experience.
i just came back from dubai and i do know they will need helo pilots there in the next semester or so. look for abu dhabi aviation or dubai air charter
you may find something you ike. plus there is a lot of uk citz there !
and its tax free...
hope i could help with something
fly safe !
for you to have a rough idea....
f/o salaries were about 500usd/month
capt salaries 1000usd month .... afterwards and all the sindicate took action lawsuits and all those formalaties...today the scenario in the offshore is pretty descent .. specially after bristow and other major companies bought few of the brazilian operators the salaries went well over descent
a f/o depending in wich company there is "behind" will be making about 6000usd month 15/15 roster ,
captains about 10,000usd month and they are still having trouble to hold piltos because of executives in sao paulo are hiring every one in the field....
i dont know how does it really work in uk but if I was in that scenario described i would look to other countries that are paying a lil better ,
ex africa,middle east qatar, pay a lot for offshore flying at least for some time till you get a better resume or enought experience.
i just came back from dubai and i do know they will need helo pilots there in the next semester or so. look for abu dhabi aviation or dubai air charter
you may find something you ike. plus there is a lot of uk citz there !
and its tax free...
hope i could help with something
fly safe !
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 291
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From: UK
In line with TCs comments (as usual waiting, watching & striking with traditional venom), I was talking to a train company manager last night. {Note to self, is TC looking to drive a bus now?}
Typical pay rates for driving "normal" trains average £38.5k, plus overtime, which they can't avoid. Eurostar = £50k for 35hr week
I know we cart passengers around but are we now expected to equate pilotage with land-based public transport? I believe the Filton team have to work more than their contracted hours anyway - without overtime, I'd imagine!
I wonder if one of the most mis-guided decisions in Police aviation (IMHO) will ever come back to bite the bum of the, otherwise predjuicially-interested, person who made it?
Typical pay rates for driving "normal" trains average £38.5k, plus overtime, which they can't avoid. Eurostar = £50k for 35hr week
I know we cart passengers around but are we now expected to equate pilotage with land-based public transport? I believe the Filton team have to work more than their contracted hours anyway - without overtime, I'd imagine!
I wonder if one of the most mis-guided decisions in Police aviation (IMHO) will ever come back to bite the bum of the, otherwise predjuicially-interested, person who made it?
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
From: Here and There
Daily rate for contract offshore captains?
What's the going rate for a short term (less than a year) contract flying a medium twin? I have seen daily rates as low as USD 350 for PIC's and USD 250 for SIC's in the Middle East. Are there really pilots out there flying for this kind of money?
Guest
Posts: n/a
Flying for the oil-industry in east-africa, we have been paid 300 Euro/day (app. 400 US$) as Captain on medium twin (Bell 212) on a 6/6 rotation.
Wage was only paid "on duty".....
Accomodation was rubbish, food was okay....
Sitting in the middle of nowhere-no booze (except the booze we "organized"), no tv, no internet...
But: It was On-Shore, VFR only....
Wage was only paid "on duty".....
Accomodation was rubbish, food was okay....
Sitting in the middle of nowhere-no booze (except the booze we "organized"), no tv, no internet...
But: It was On-Shore, VFR only....
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
From: uae
hey huey!!
how much is that compared to other cia's in the industry???
good/ medium /bad???
i was trying to have a base of knwoledge in this field but couldn't get anything from anyone in west africa....
how about f/o's any idea???
take care and fly safe
good/ medium /bad???
i was trying to have a base of knwoledge in this field but couldn't get anything from anyone in west africa....
how about f/o's any idea???
take care and fly safe
Guest
Posts: n/a
I talked to pilots from other companies (mostly south-african guys) who earned 180 US$/day....
Others got 300 US$/day....
So i think we received a little bit above average salary (for On-Shore operations)...
It all depends on the over-all conditions:
How about travelling costs? (Economy/Business class?)
How about expenses (Type Rating, CRM, DGR, Medical?)
How about accomodation/food/clothing allowances?
In my opinion, you should not decide for a job when the salary is below 40.000 US$ (after taxes).....
F/Os earn (as far as i observed) nearly 2/3rd of the Captains salary...
Others got 300 US$/day....
So i think we received a little bit above average salary (for On-Shore operations)...
It all depends on the over-all conditions:
How about travelling costs? (Economy/Business class?)
How about expenses (Type Rating, CRM, DGR, Medical?)
How about accomodation/food/clothing allowances?
In my opinion, you should not decide for a job when the salary is below 40.000 US$ (after taxes).....
F/Os earn (as far as i observed) nearly 2/3rd of the Captains salary...
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 816
Likes: 5
From: Home
Depends on your special skills and how much crap you are willing to put up with
5500 USD after tax flying a little turbine on shore.Raise supposed to come
Waiting for last month' salary.
Minus 500 health ins and about 200 pension plan.
Health insurance with global coverage. Will send a jet to get me home when the s**t really hit the fan.
Housing and transport provided.
So, about 4500 into Dad's only son's pocket.
Contract will run out soon
Will keep you postet on availability of job
Are you willing...
5500 USD after tax flying a little turbine on shore.Raise supposed to come
Waiting for last month' salary.
Minus 500 health ins and about 200 pension plan.
Health insurance with global coverage. Will send a jet to get me home when the s**t really hit the fan.
Housing and transport provided.
So, about 4500 into Dad's only son's pocket.
Contract will run out soon
Will keep you postet on availability of job
Are you willing...
Joined: Apr 2010
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL(H)
Posts: 104
Likes: 5
From: Geordieland
Re the police aviation job at Filton:
Apart from the offered salary, the PIC hours requiremen are too low. For a single pilot operation that requires flying (and landing) in unusual (at times) situations, combined with night/winter ops, the hands on experience level (as opposed to S & L flying, auto pilot in) is of prime importance.
I would hazard a guess that there's not too many ethnically minority and/or disabled heli pilots in UK, but if there is - the best of luck.
Apart from the offered salary, the PIC hours requiremen are too low. For a single pilot operation that requires flying (and landing) in unusual (at times) situations, combined with night/winter ops, the hands on experience level (as opposed to S & L flying, auto pilot in) is of prime importance.
I would hazard a guess that there's not too many ethnically minority and/or disabled heli pilots in UK, but if there is - the best of luck.
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
From: UK
US Instructor Pay
Just a quick question as to what is the average instructor pay across the States at the minute, for an entry level instructor.
And what is the lowest rate people would be prepared to accept with an average of 20hrs flying per week.?
And what is the lowest rate people would be prepared to accept with an average of 20hrs flying per week.?
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 107
Likes: 0
From: Europe
When I started off I was getting $15 and hour for both ground and flight.
It gradually worked its way up to $30 with experience (Total Time).
I guess it depends on the market, cost of living where your instructing.
I am not sure if there are any flight schools in the states that have the J1 visa program any more. ummm, how do a lot of these big schools find replacements for the hardworking/time building J1 instructors?
It gradually worked its way up to $30 with experience (Total Time).
I guess it depends on the market, cost of living where your instructing.
I am not sure if there are any flight schools in the states that have the J1 visa program any more. ummm, how do a lot of these big schools find replacements for the hardworking/time building J1 instructors?