| Helicopter pilots who choose EMS (Emergency | | | | pilot VFR. |
| Medical Services) flying as a career have a very | | | | The salaries also vary widely especially by |
| challenging and rewarding path ahead of them. | | | | geographical location. As you can imagine |
| EMS pilots perform a number of functions most | | | | programs in large cities pay more than programs |
| notably responding to life threatening emergencies | | | | in smaller areas. Average staring pay is about |
| but they also provide other services such as | | | | $45,000 with pay rates maxing out at about |
| non-emergency medical transport. | | | | $85,000 yearly. As a group EMS pilot probably fly |
| There are numerous ways that EMS programs | | | | the least of all professional helicopter pilots. It's not |
| are structured. They can be government funded. | | | | uncommon for some pilots to only fly 200 hours |
| In this case the EMS program is supported by | | | | per year. |
| government funds. These types of programs | | | | Work conditions also vary by operator and type |
| typically exist in large metropolitan areas. There | | | | of program. Some programs keep the helicopter |
| are stand-alone programs where the hospital | | | | at the hospital and give the crews a "ready room" |
| owns the helicopters and directly hires the pilots. | | | | with a bunk and other basic amenities. Other |
| There's also the contractor/vendor program | | | | operators keep the helicopter at a nearby airport |
| where an independent company provides the | | | | and crews have a furnished trailer for the crew. |
| helicopters and pilots, which are used for the EMS | | | | Work schedules also vary. Shifts can be from 8 |
| service. | | | | to 12 hrs long with 12 hrs being typical. Operators |
| Hiring minimums for an EMS operation can vary | | | | usually schedule pilots a string of days on followed |
| but generally companies look for at least 2000hrs | | | | by a string of days off such as 7 on and 7 off or |
| HELO, 1500 hrs PIC as well as commercial and | | | | 5 on and 5 off. |
| instrument ratings. EMS pilots fly a variety of | | | | EMS flying offers pilots opportunities to help |
| helicopters but for the most part they're light | | | | others. This makes EMS flying very rewarding. |
| single engine birds and most companies fly single | | | | |