600 job opportunities for chopper pilots

• There are about 600 job opportunities for helicopter cadets said industry expert Robinson Helicopter Company
• Demand coming from oil and gas industry and fire and rescue department

Becoming a helicopter pilot could be an option for students to realise their dreams of flying. After series of new stories of jobless airline pilots, a chopper license could be a pilot's best bet to securing a job. It is estimated that about 600 jobs await helicopter cadets and most of this demand is coming from the oil and gas industry where there is an increased activity in offshore work.

Malaysia has a few providers of helicopter charter services such as Westar Aviation Services, MHS Aviation Berhad and Awad Inspirasi. These companies are planning to expand therefore more helicopter pilots will be needed.

In the fire and rescue department, the Fire and Rescue Department, police force and Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) plan to recruit and train helicopter pilots to address the shortage for their operations.

The entry requirements for helicopter training course is similar with airplane training course. Students must have SPM with 5 credits including English, Mathematics, and any one Science subject; have passed the Class 1 Medical from approved DCA Malaysia panel clinics.