Helicopter Pilot

Air Methods•Media, PA

17h•$82,900•Onsite

About The Position

Air Methods seeks a Helicopter Pilot for its JeffSTAT operation in Media, Pennsylvania, flying an EC135 under Visual Flight Rules (VFR). The pilot is responsible for determining whether the aircraft and weather conditions are airworthy for transporting the medical crew and patient to a receiving hospital within the assigned operational area. The role requires compliance with Federal Aviation Regulations, the Aeronautical Information Manual, General Operations Manual guidelines, and Air Methods policies and procedures. The position offers a $15,000 sign-on bonus and compensation starting at $82,900 per year, commensurate with flight and EMS experience. The schedule is seven days on and seven days off, working 12-hour shifts. The internal bidding period ends November 23, 2026; the position remains posted until filled, with a minimum posting period of three days.

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 old.
Have flown in category for a commercial operator or in the military within the previous 24 months.
Maintain positive interpersonal relationships with colleagues, EMS representatives, hospitals, and the public, and strive to maintain a friendly and professional working environment.
Meet VFR minimum flight times: 2,000 total flight hours, including at least 1,500 hours in category; 1,000 hours PIC in category; 500 hours of rotor-wing turbine time; 200 hours of cross-country flight time, including at least 50 hours at night; 100 hours of unaided night PIC time (50 hours of unaided time may be substituted by 100 hours of NVG time, but unaided time cannot be reduced below 50 hours); and 50 hours of actual or hood instrument time in flight and in category, with simulator time excluded. For a rotor-wing candidate who is fixed-wing rated, at least 100 hours of fixed-wing actual or hood instrument time may reduce the required rotor-wing instrument time to 25 hours.
Hold a Commercial and Instrument Rating for the category and class of aircraft, or an ATP rating in category.
Hold a First or Second Class FAA Medical certificate.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree preferred.

Responsibilities

Operate Air Methods aircraft safely and legally.
Complete a preflight inspection before every flight, verify airworthiness, and sign off on 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.
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, often with little notice, to exacting standards.
Participate regularly in Air Methods meetings, activities, projects, committees, and community outreach.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Maintain regular scheduled attendance on a seven-days-on/seven-days-off schedule with 12-hour shifts.