Helicopter Pilot

Air Methods•Des Moines, IA

3d•Onsite

About The Position

Air Methods is hiring a Rotor Wing Pilot for MercyOne Air Med in Des Moines, Iowa, operating a B429 under IFR. The pilot is responsible for ensuring the aircraft and weather conditions are airworthy for transporting medical crew and patients to a receiving hospital within the assigned operational area. The role requires compliance with Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR), the Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM), General Operations Manual (GOM) guidelines, and Air Methods policies and procedures. The position follows a 7-days-on/7-days-off schedule with 12-hour shifts. Air Methods provides air medical transport resources 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The listed compensation is based on flight and EMS experience, with salary steps from $82,900 to $93,251 per year. The posting also lists a $40,000 annual stipend, an experience stipend of up to $12,000, off-duty housing, and a $15,000 sign-on bonus available.

Requirements

Associate’s degree or equivalent from a two-year college or technical school, and two to five years of related experience and/or training; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Maintain a weight not exceeding 250 pounds and be under 70 years of age.
Have flown in category within the previous 24 months.
For the IFR program: 2,500 total flight hours, including at least 2,000 hours in category.
Have 1,000 hours as pilot in command (PIC) in category.
Have 500 hours of rotor-wing turbine time.
Have 500 hours of cross-country flight time, including at least 50 hours at night.
Have 100 hours of unaided night time as PIC; 50 hours of unaided time may be substituted with 100 hours of NVG time, but unaided time cannot be reduced below 50 hours.
Have 75 hours of actual or simulated instrument time, including at least 50 hours in flight in an aircraft and 20 hours in actual instrument conditions in category.
Hold an instrument rating for the category and class of aircraft; an ATP rating in category meets this requirement.
A fixed-wing multiengine rating is required for twin-engine aircraft; a commercial single-engine land rating is required for single-engine aircraft.
Hold a First or Second Class FAA Medical certificate.
Maintain regular scheduled attendance.
Maintain positive interpersonal relationships with colleagues, EMS representatives, hospitals, and the public, and strive to maintain a friendly and professional working environment.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree preferred.

Responsibilities

Operate Air Methods aircraft safely and legally.
Complete a preflight inspection before every flight, verify the aircraft is airworthy, and sign off on the Daily Flight Log.
Perform a complete aircraft walk-around before entering the cockpit and after each flight.
Serve as the final authority for aircraft operations and the safety of passengers, cargo, and equipment.
Know the aircraft and medical systems of backup aircraft used in the operational area, and ensure the medical flight team is familiar and comfortable with the medical interior and systems.
Complete required documentation.
Conduct detailed flight planning to exacting standards, often with little notice.
Participate regularly in Air Methods meetings, activities, projects, committees, and community outreach.
Perform other duties as assigned.