Helicopter Pilot

Overview --------

Air Methods is seeking exceptional pilots to partner with us to serve our communities. We are committed to providing air medical transport resources to our communities 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, while providing our pilots with work life balance, 7 days on/7 days off (12-hour shifts). Our #1 objective is to ensure safety to/from every time, so come join our growing and high-performing culture, sparked by teammates who deliver on being the best!

Location --------

Bakersfield, California is known for its deep roots in American music, hardworking spirit, and access to diverse landscapes. Known as the birthplace of the "Bakersfield Sound," it played a major role in shaping country music while maintaining a strong sense of local identity. Surrounded by fertile farmland and framed by the southern Sierra Nevada, Bakersfield blends agriculture, energy, and culture, offering both opportunity and authenticity in the heart of the Central Valley.

Benefits --------

Air Methods is proud to offer a comprehensive benefits package created with the diverse needs of our teammates in mind:

• Health, Dental and Vision
• Competitive 401(k) Retirement Plan
• Flexible Spending Account
• Benefit Plans
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Full Company-Paid Life Insurance
• AD&D Insurance
• Short-Term and Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Business Travel Accident Insurance
• Voluntary Legal Relocation Assistance
• Employee Assistance and Benefit Concierge Service Programs

Job Summary ------------

Responsible to ensure aircraft and weather conditions are airworthy to transport medical crew and patient to receiving hospital within an assigned operational area. Responsible for compliance with Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR), Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM), General Operations Manual guidelines (GOM), and thorough knowledge of Air Methods policies and procedures.

Responsibilities ----------------

• Operates Air Methods aircraft in a safe and legal manner
• Completes pre-flight before every flight verifying the aircraft is in an airworthy condition by sign off of Daily Flight Log
• Pilots will perform a complete walk around of the aircraft prior to entering the cockpit for flight and upon completion of each flight
• Final authority with regard to operations of aircraft and for the safety of passengers, cargo and equipment
• Must be thoroughly familiar with all aircraft and medical systems of backup aircraft utilized at operational area and also ensures that the medical flight team is familiar and comfortable with the medical interior and systems
• Responsible for completion of required documentation
• Able to conduct detailed flight planning with little notice to exacting standards
• Participates regularly in Air Methods meetings, activities, projects, committees and community outreach
• Performs other duties as assigned

Additional Job Requirements ---------------------------

• Regular scheduled attendance
• Subject to applicable laws and Air Method's policies, regular attendance is an essential function of the position
• All employees must follow Air Methods' employment practices and policies

Qualifications --------------

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

• Associate's degree (A.A.) or equivalent from two-year college or technical school and two to five years' related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Bachelor's degree preferred
• Operation and Safety Requirements:
• As a member of the Flight Crew, any person employed in this position shall maintain a weight not to exceed 250 pounds and shall be less than seventy (70) years old.
• Skills:
• Maintains positive interpersonal relationships with colleagues, EMS representatives, hospitals and the public and strives to maintain a friendly and professional working environment
• Pilots must have flown in category within the previous 24 months
• Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) Program:
• 2500 total flight hours with minimum of 2000 flight hours in category
• 1000 hours PIC in category
• 500 hours of rotor wing turbine time
• 500 hours of cross-country flight time, at least 50 hours of which were at night
• 100 hours unaided night as PIC (50 hours of unaided can be substituted for by 100 hours of NVG time, but cannot be reduced below 50 hours of unaided time)
• 75 hours of actual or simulated instrument time at least 50 hours which were in flight in an aircraft including 20 hours in actual instrument conditions in category
• Certificates, Licenses, Registrations:
• Instrument rating (for category and class of aircraft)
• ATP rating in category meets this requirement
• Fixed wing multiengine rating is required for twin-engine aircraft
• Commercial single-engine land is required for single-engine aircraft
• First OR Second Class FAA Medical certificate required

Pay Scale --------

Based upon flight and EMS experience.

• STEP A: $82,900
• STEP B: $86,216
• STEP C: $89,665
• STEP D: $93,251

Education & Experience ---------------------

Associate's degree (A.A.) or equivalent from two-year college or technical school and two to five years' related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience. Bachelor's degree preferred.

Operation and Safety Requirements --------------------------------

As a member of the Flight Crew, any person employed in this position shall maintain a weight not to exceed 250 pounds and shall be less than seventy (70) years old.

Skills ------

Maintains positive interpersonal relationships with colleagues, EMS representatives, hospitals and the public and strives to maintain a friendly and professional working environment. Pilots must have flown in category within the previous 24 months.

Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) Program --------------------------------------

• 2500 total flight hours with minimum of 2000 flight hours in category
• 1000 hours PIC in category
• 500 hours of rotor wing turbine time
• 500 hours of cross-country flight time, at least 50 hours of which were at night
• 100 hours unaided night as PIC (50 hours of unaided can be substituted for by 100 hours of NVG time, but cannot be reduced below 50 hours of unaided time)
• 75 hours of actual or simulated instrument time at least 50 hours which were in flight in an aircraft including 20 hours in actual instrument conditions in category
• Certificates, Licenses, Registrations:
• Instrument rating (for category and class of aircraft)
• ATP rating in category meets this requirement
• Fixed wing multiengine rating is required for twin-engine aircraft
• Commercial single-engine land is required for single-engine aircraft
• First OR Second Class FAA Medical certificate required

Internal Bidding Ends: 1/25/2026 --------------------------------

Minimum payUSD $82,900.00/Yr. Maximum PayUSD $93,251.00/Yr.

Benefits --------

For more information on our industry-leading benefits, please visit our benefits page here.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities -------------------------------------------------------------------

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)

This position will be open and posted until filled, with a minimum posting period of three days.