General Requirement (All Pilots)
COMMERCIAL AND INSTRUMENT LICENSE (OR ATP)
For category and class of aircraft. For fixed-wing operation, an SEL rating is required, and MEL may be required for certain bases.
SECOND-CLASS MEDICAL CERTIFICATE
First class may be required for some customer contracts.
RECENCY OF EXPERIENCE
If a pilot candidate has not flown (in category) within the previous 24 months, the chief pilot will determine the candidate’s viability.
THE TRAINING PROGRAM
Our pilots have an enormous obligation to our patients and their families – especially when it comes to assuring that safety remains the highest priority throughout the transport continuum. That’s why Air Methods offers a superior training program, which includes extensive classroom, simulator and aircraft instruction, with ongoing computer-based learning.
ROTOR-WING VISUAL FLIGHT RULES (VFR) PROGRAM:
- 2,000 total flight hours with 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 for 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 only counts if it is in a certified Level D FSTD)
ROTOR-WING INSTRUMENT FLIGHT RULES (IFR) PROGRAM:
All VFR requirements plus:
- 2,500 total flight hours with a minimum of 2,000 hours in category
- 1,000 hours PIC in category
- 500 hours of cross-country flight 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
For a rotor-wing candidate who is fixed-wing rated, 100 hours or greater of fixed-wing actual or hood instrument time can reduce the rotor-wing required instrument time to 25 hours.
About Air Methods
Air Methods: A 40-year legacy in emergency air medical transport, committed to patient care and aviation safety. Our nationwide presence saves 100,000+ lives annually, answering the call with unwavering dedication.
Safety is paramount. We recruit top aviators and invest heavily in training and technology. Our pilots train extensively with full-motion simulators, and our aircraft boast crash-resistant fuel tanks, night vision goggles, and advanced safety features. Join us in this fulfilling career—save lives, make a lasting impact on patients, families, and communities, all while prioritizing safety above all else. Join Air Methods and be part of the lifesaving legacy.”