Helicopter landing officer job description – The helicopter landing officer job is one of the most exciting jobs you can apply for. But before applying for this job, you must possess the knowledge and gain the experience required to thrive in the field. This article brings you an overview of the Helicopter landing officer job description. We will look at who a helicopter landing officer is and other essential descriptions of the work, including the necessary qualifications you need to pursue the career. Read on.
Who Is a Helicopter Landing Officer?
A helicopter landing officer is a professional saddled with the responsibility of landing incoming flights safely. It’s among the most critical parts of the operational team in the airfield. A helicopter landing officer usually serves as an additional vision source for the pilot. Once you choose this kind of job, you will have different responsibilities. Even though other personnel inside the helicopter will also ensure a safe landing, helicopter landing officers are the onsite personnel responsible for the whole landing service operations. Having said that, let’s proceed to the helicopter landing officer job description.
Duties Of A Helicopter Landing Officer
So what are the duties of a helicopter landing officer? Well, as we mentioned above, one of the main roles of this person is to ensure the helicopter lands safely. Other duties include;
- Knowing and acting based on the manual provided by the helicopter company. You aren’t allowed to act on your own unless when necessary.
- Another responsibility is controlling the safety of every person inside the helicopter landing area. You will ensure that all passengers board the onshore or offshore accurately without any accidents.
- You will also work together with the aircraft captain to load and unload cargo and also control the fueling and refueling of the helicopter.
- While fueling, you will also make sure the fuel that will be put inside the engine is authentic; you will first check the quality before adding it to the machine.
- You are required to check on the equipment and facilities daily.
- You will also aid the pilot through hand signals. During your courses of studies, you will learn the hand signals, each signal has a meaning and is the way you will communicate with the pilot while operating the helicopter.
- You are also required to wear a vest provided to you by the operating company. The vest will contain HLO words written on it which means helicopter landing officer. This vest will assist the pilot and other members of the crew to identify you as the helicopter landing officer easily.
- You must also wear a helmet since you mostly work close to the helicopter. Failure to wear the aircraft can result in safety risks, and it can affect the helicopter engine or rotor blades.
Required Skills and Qualifications For Helicopter Landing Officer
There are some skills you need to possess before you apply for the helicopter landing officer job. Some of these requirements include the following;
- You must have at least an OND or HND certificate from any notable engineering, social science department, or other relevant courses.
- You must also have basic helicopter lander officer training in any notable school, which will allow you to have the necessary knowledge on how you can go about with your job.
- You must also complete the helicopter landing officer course in the school before you can be accepted for the job. Even if you are in your final year, as long as you don’t have the certificate, no company will hire you for this role because it will be risky to hire someone without proper knowledge of the work.
- You must also have some experience regarding the work. The number of years of experience you will be asked for depends on the company you apply for. Some require only basic knowledge, even if it’s a one-year experience. Still, others require you to have many years of experience, sometimes up to 8 years, especially if it’s a reputable company whose salary is huge.
- Aside from having the basic helicopter landing officer knowledge and certificate, you must also have a helicopter firefighting and rescue certificate. Although this might also depend on the company you go for, it’s also one of the requirements. So, ensure you have it so you can successfully land the job you want.
- During your course of study, you will learn a lot of things, including how to guide passengers on the helideck and handle cargo and documentation. This knowledge will come in handy when applying for a job because you must have this knowledge and experience before most companies consider you.
- You must also be familiar with most of the aviation rules and regulations, which you will also learn during your course of study. This knowledge should be relevant to the helideck designs and equipment.
- Chances are an emergency might happen while you are in operation, so you must also know emergency procedures and the necessary measures you should take in emergencies.
- The company you want to work with will also provide you with their personal emergency procedures manuals, so you must read and be conversant with not only normal emergency procedures but also the ones you will be provided with. In some instances, during your research on the job and the company, you should read the emergency manual, which you can mostly find on the company’s website, so when you go for the job interview, you will show them that you are familiar with this vital manual.
Career Advancement Opportunities For A Helicopter Landing Officer Job
Mostly, the career opportunities available for helicopter landing officers are working in aviation, airports, military zones, etc. Let’s quickly look at each place in detail.
1. Aviation
Aviation involves all activities related to mechanical flight and the whole aircraft industry. As a helicopter landing officer, you can apply for a job in aviation.
2. Airports
You can also work in airports. As a helicopter landing officer, you will be responsible for safely landing the aircraft.
3. Military zones
The military zone is an area exclusively reserved for the army. You can work in the air force field since they deal with aircraft, and your role will be similar to that of airports.
The Helicopter Landing Signals
In a helicopter landing job, you must be familiar with the signals you will use to communicate with the pilot. These signal are
1. Hover
You will cross your arm horizontally sideways with your palms downward whenever you want to tell the pilot to hover.
2. Move backward
Whenever you want to tell the pilot to move backward, you will put your arms at the side, with your palms facing forward, your arms swept forward and upward to your shoulder length.
3. Stop
When you want to tell the pilot the stop the helicopter, you will cross your arms repeatedly over your head.
4. Move forward
To move forward, you will extend your arms sideways horizontally and turn down your palms, beckoning downwards.
5. Move sideways
To move sideways, you will place either of your arms horizontally, then move your other arm to the side and keep the two components together in the same direction. The flight needs to be moved; you will repeat this several times.
6. Land
To land, you will place down your arms and cross them in front of your body.
7. Move upward
To move upward, you will extend your arms horizontally sideways, placing your palms up and beckoning upwards.
8. Move ahead
Move your arms upward repeatedly and backward, beckoning onward.
9. Cut engines
You will place any of your hands or arms at your chest level, then move laterally with your palms downwards.
Conclusion
That’s it! An overview of a helicopter landing officer job description. A helicopter landing officer is a person responsible for landing of aircraft safely. They are also in charge of other important aspects such as loading and unloading cargo, ensuring passengers board successfully and safely, checking equipment and facilities daily, and many more. A helicopter landing job is an exciting job that can earn you considerable income.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the work schedule for a helicopter landing officer?
The work schedule for a helicopter landing officer may vary, but typically include night shifts, weekends, holidays, etc.
What is the work environment like for a helicopter landing officer?
The work environment is typically stressful and fast-paced.
Are there any training or certification needed to work as a helicopter landing officer?
Yes, to work as a helicopter landing officer you need to get trained by the Federal Aviation Administration and pass a certification exam.
What are helicopter landing officer jobs salary?
The average salary of a helicopter landing officer is around $56,892 annually. This means you will earn $27.35 every hour, $1,094 every week, and $4,741 every month. The lowest you can earn in this job is $29,500 annually, which accounts for 25% of workers, 75% of helicopter landing officers make $64,000 annually, and the top earners make $106,000 annually.
Are there any hazard or safety concerns associated with working as a helicopter landing officer?
Yes, there are some safety concerns associated with a job as a helicopter landing officer. They might be exposed to strain injuries, loud aircraft noise, physical and mental stress, etc.
References
Ziprecruiter — Helicopter Landing Officer salary
Rigzone – Helicopter Landing jobs
Rcesoilandgastraining.org – Helicopter Landing Officer
Oilandgasjobserch.com – Helicopter Landing officer jobs
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