Also called: ENG Helicopter Pilot, Pilot-Reporter
Flies TV news helicopters over car chases, wildfires, and traffic, holding steady so a photographer can broadcast live, or doing both jobs at once.
A news helicopter pilot gets a call about a wildfire, lifts off from the helipad, and holds a steady position so the camera can broadcast live. Some 'pilot-reporters' fly, run the camera, and talk on air at the same time while watching for other aircraft.
Approximate.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Certificate, about 3 years after high school. FAA commercial helicopter certificate plus 1,000+ flight hours.
Ways in: Certification, Military. Training cost: $60k – $150k.
Majors to look at: Aviation (Helicopter Flight), Professional Flight.
Shrinking. Many stations are replacing helicopters with drones or shared feeds.
Medium risk in 5 years, high in 10. News drones and shared camera feeds are replacing many station helicopters; experienced pilots still fly big breaking stories.
Classes: Physics, Math, Journalism or media.
Official data: O*NET occupation 53-2012.
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