Helicopter Pilot Science & Engineering Technicians
SaveWhat Does a Helicopter Pilot Do?
Helicopter pilots fly helicopters in order to transport passengers and cargo from one place to another. They plan flights using aeronautical charts and navigation instruments. Prior to departure, they inspect helicopters following checklists to detect leaking hydraulic fluid, inoperative control, low fuel level, or other unsafe conditions.
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Where Do I Start?
Freight Transport Methods
Understand different modalities of transport such as air, sea, or intermodal freight transport. Specialise in one of the modalities and possess a deeper knowledge of the details and procedures of that modality.
Sign up to trackReady to go deeper? Pick up to 3 skills to focus on from the list below.
These are common skills for this role. Real-world experience matters more than ticking every box — use this as a guide, not a checklist.
Skills You Need to Become a Helicopter Pilot
Essential Skills
Essential Skills
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EssentialFreight Transport Methods knowledge
Understand different modalities of transport such as air, sea, or intermodal freight transport. Specialise in one of the modalities and possess a deeper knowledge of the details and procedures of …
No book recommendations available yet.
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EssentialAirport Planning knowledge
Know airport planning for different types of aircrafts; use that information to mobilise resources and people in order to handle the aircrafts while they are in the airport.
Recommended Books
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EssentialAviation Meteorology knowledge
Understand aviation meteorology to deal with the impact of weather on air traffic management (ATM). Understand how thorough changes in pressure and temperature values at airports can create variations in …
Recommended Books
1 book -
EssentialCommon Aviation Safety Regulations knowledge
The body of legislation and regulations that apply to the field of civil aviation at regional, national, European and International levels. Understand that regulations aimed at protecting citizens at all …
Recommended Books
2 books -
EssentialAircraft Flight Control Systems knowledge
Know the setting, features and operation of aircraft flight control systems. Manage flight control surfaces, cockpit controls, connections, and operating mechanisms required to control the flight direction of an aircraft. …
Recommended Books
1 book -
EssentialVisual Flight Rules knowledge
Types of flight rules which are a compilation of regulations that allow pilots to fly aircrafts in clear as well as unclear weather conditions whereby it is declared that outside …
No book recommendations available yet.
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EssentialAir Traffic Control Operations knowledge
Understand the tasks performed by air traffic controllers, including Interaction and effective communication between aircraft and air traffic controllers; execution of follow-up activities, and ensuring smooth operations during flights.
No book recommendations available yet.
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EssentialAir Transport Law knowledge
Know air transport laws and regulations. Due to the nature of aviation, knowledge of air transport laws partially overlaps with knowledge of international law.
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EssentialCivil Aviation Regulations knowledge
Know civil aviation regulations, rules and signals, including marshalling signals.
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EssentialGeographic Areas knowledge
Know the geographic area in detail; know where different organisations carry out operations.
No book recommendations available yet.
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EssentialComply With Air Traffic Control Operations skill
Act in compliance with instruction provided by air traffic controllers.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialComply With Checklists skill
Follow checklists and ensure compliance with all the items included in them.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialEnsure Aircraft Compliance With Regulation skill
Ensure that every aircraft complies with applicable regulation and all components and equipment have officially valid components.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialEnsure Ongoing Compliance With Regulations skill
Conduct tasks and procedures to ensure that aviation certificates maintain their validity; undertake safeguarding measures as appropriate.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialFollow Verbal Instructions skill
Have the ability to follow spoken instructions received from colleagues. Strive to understand and clarify what is being requested.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialHandle Stressful Situations skill
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialHave Spatial Awareness skill
Be aware of your position and the space around you. Understand the relationship of objects around you when there is a change of position.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialOperate Cockpit Control Panels skill
Operates control panels in the cockpit or flight deck according to the needs of the flight. Manage on-board electronic systems to ensure a smooth flight.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialOperate Radar Equipment skill
Operate radar screens and other radar equipment; ensure that aircraft fly at a safe distance from one another.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialOperate Radio Equipment skill
Set up and operate radio devices and accessories, such as broadcast consoles, amplifiers, and microphones. Understand the basics of radio operator language and, when necessary, provide instruction in handling radio …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialOperate Radio Navigation Instruments skill
Operate radio navigation instruments to determine the position of aircraft in the airspace.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialOperate Two-way Radio Systems skill
Use radios that can receive and transmit sound signals in order to communicate with similar radios on the same frequency such as mobile phones and walkie talkies.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialPerform Flight Manoeuvres skill
Perform flight manoeuvres in critical situations, and associated 'upset' manoeuvres, in order to avoid collision.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialPerform Risk Analysis skill
Identify and assess factors that may jeopardise the success of a project or threaten the organisation's functioning. Implement procedures to avoid or minimise their impact.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialPerform Routine Flight Operations Checks skill
Perform checks before and during flight: conduct pre-flight and in-flight inspections of aircraft performance, route and fuel usage, runway availability, airspace restrictions, etc.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialPerform Take Off And Landing skill
Perform normal and cross-wind take-off and landing operations.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialPossess Visual Literacy skill
Interpret charts, maps, graphics, and other pictorial presentations used in place of the written word. The graphics used vary from process to process; therefore, the professional must have sufficient knowledge …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialRead 3D Displays skill
Read 3D-displays and understand the information they provide on positions, distances, and other parameters.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialRead Maps skill
Read maps effectively.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialUse Different Communication Channels skill
Make use of various types of communication channels such as verbal, handwritten, digital and telephonic communication with the purpose of constructing and sharing ideas or information.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialUse Meteorological Information skill
Use and interpret meteorological information for operations dependent on climatic conditions. Use this information to provide advise on safe operations in relation to weather conditions.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialAddress Aircraft Mechanical Issues skill
Identify and resolve mechanical issues which arise during flight; identify malfunctions in fuel gauges, pressure indicators and other electrical, mechanical or hydraulic components.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialApply Signalling Control Procedures skill
Control train movements; operate railway signals and block systems to ensure that trains operate safely, on correct routes, and on time.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialComprehensively Inspect Aircraft skill
Conduct inspections of aircraft and aircraft components, namely their parts, appliances, and equipment, to identify malfunctions such as fuel leaks or flaws in electrical and pressurisation systems.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialEnsure Compliance With Civil Aviation Regulations skill
Ensure best practice standards are adopted and all regulatory requirements met
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialImplement Airside Safety Procedures skill
Apply a series of airfield safety rules and procedures to ensure a safe working environment for airport crew.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialRespond To Changing Navigation Circumstances skill
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialUndertake Procedures To Meet Aircraft Flight Requirements skill
Ensure that operation certificates are valid, guarantee that take-off mass is a maximum of 3,175 kg, verify that the minimum crew is adequate according to regulations and needs, ensure that …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialUndertake Procedures To Meet Helicopter Flight Requirements skill
Ensure that operation certificates are valid, guarantee that take-off mass is a maximum of 3,175 kg, verify that the minimum crew is adequate according to regulations and needs, ensure that …
Course recommendations coming soon.
Optional Skills (4 of 4 displayed)
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OptionalAct Reliably skill
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalCarry Out Navigational Calculations skill
Solve mathematical problems to achieve safe navigation.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalHave Computer Literacy skill
Utilise computers, IT equipment and modern day technology in an efficient way.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalCreate A Flight Plan skill
Develop a flight plan which details the flight altitude, route to be followed and the amount of fuel required using different sources of information (weather reports and other data from …
Course recommendations coming soon.