Also called: Film Stunt Pilot, Aerial Unit Pilot
Plans and flies the helicopter and airplane shots in movies, including aerial stunts.
An aerial coordinator plans a helicopter chase scene with the director, gets FAA waivers, and flies a camera helicopter just above a speeding car. Safety briefings take longer than the shot itself.
Approximate; day rates on productions.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Certificate, about 3 years after high school. Commercial pilot license and thousands of flight hours; many are ex-military.
Ways in: Certification, Military, On-the-job training. Training cost: $60k – $150k.
Majors to look at: Aviation.
Growing about average. Tiny field; drones handle some shots now.
Low risk for 10 years. Drones take some aerial shots, but piloting helicopters near crews and planning aerial stunts stays human and licensed.
Classes: Physics, Math, Geography, Earth science (weather).
Official data: O*NET occupation 53-2011.
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