Helicopter Pilot

About the role

LifeFlight Stillwater, OK — EC130 (VFR). $25,000 stipend, off-duty housing, and $15,000 sign-on bonus available. Air Methods is the leader in the air medical industry, providing air medical transport resources 24/7/365 with a focus on safety and work–life balance. Stillwater, Oklahoma offers a high-energy college-town spirit anchored by Oklahoma State University, with game days, live music, a vibrant downtown, and outdoor access to Lake McMurtry, Boomer Lake, and Lake Carl Blackwell. Oklahoma City and Tulsa are each about an hour away.

Benefits

• 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

Responsibilities

• Operate Air Methods aircraft in a safe and legal manner.
• Complete pre-flight before every flight verifying the aircraft is in an airworthy condition by sign-off of Daily Flight Log.
• Perform a complete walk-around of the aircraft prior to entering the cockpit for flight and upon completion of each flight.
• Hold final authority with regard to operations of aircraft and for the safety of passengers, cargo, and equipment.
• Maintain thorough familiarity with all aircraft and medical systems of backup aircraft utilized at the operational area; ensure the medical flight team is familiar and comfortable with the medical interior and systems.
• Complete required documentation.
• Conduct detailed flight planning with little notice to exacting standards.
• Participate regularly in Air Methods meetings, activities, projects, committees, and community outreach.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements & Qualifications

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

• Weight not to exceed 250 pounds.
• Less than 70 years old.

Flight Experience (VFR Program)

• 2,000 total flight hours with a minimum of 1,500 flight hours in category.
• 1,000 hours PIC in category.
• 500 hours of rotor wing turbine time.
• 200 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 by 100 hours of NVG time, but cannot be reduced below 50 hours of unaided time).
• 50 hours total actual or hood instrument time in flight and in category (simulator time does not count). For a RW candidate who is FW rated, 100 hours or greater of FW actual or hood instrument time can reduce the RW required instrument time to 25 hours.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

• Commercial & Instrument Rating (for category and class of aircraft); ATP rating in category meets this requirement.
• First or Second Class FAA Medical certificate required.
• Subject to drug and/or alcohol testing per DOT/FAA requirements (pre-employment, random, reasonable cause/suspicion, post-accident).

Additional Requirements

• Must 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; strive to maintain a friendly and professional working environment.
• Regular scheduled attendance required; travel approximately 10% of the time.
• No supervisory responsibilities.

Pay

Based on flight and EMS experience:

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

Internal bidding ends 10/6/2026. Position posted until filled (minimum three-day posting period).