IMPACT ON JOBS
Where will helicopter pilots fit into a Jetsons-like future that has autonomous (self-flying) cargo rotorcraft and eVTOL air taxis buzzing about? Will they be reduced to the role of drone pilots flying their rotorcraft by radio within bunker-like buildings on the ground? Will they have any jobs at all?
This question has been pondered by Danny Sitnam, president and CEO of Helijet International in Richmond, British Columbia, Canada. “We operate North America’s largest scheduled point-to- point helicopter service moving over 2.5 million passengers annually between Vancouver, Victoria and Nanimo, and we also provide air ambulance service for the BC government,” he said. “From Helijet’s
perspective, we see the emergence of new rotorcraft platforms allowing helicopter pilots and engineers to expand their skills and employment opportunities; eVTOLs and such will expand the job market, not shrink it.”
Speaking as a manufacturer of eVTOLs that will serve as urban air taxis, Jaunt Air Mobility’s Crispino is also optimistic about the future of human helicopter pilots. This is because Jaunt’s eVTOLs are not autonomous. “We need helicopter pilots to fly them,” he said. “Our Jaunt Journey eVTOL is electric and has wings, but it is still a helicopter.”
Sikorsky’s Cherepinsky also believes the development of eVTOLs and other novel rotorcraft will increase the demand for helicopter pilots, even when autonomous
“Progress in this sector requires a combined effort from professionals in regulation, engineering, and production, and a vast amount of employment opportunities will open up.” - Rob Scholl, CEO of Textron eAviation
In fact, the employment opportunities offered by the emerging eVTOL sector don’t end with pilots. “Progress in this sector requires a combined effort from professionals in regulation, engineering, and production, and a vast amount of employment opportunities will open up,” according to Rob Scholl, CEO of Textron eAviation. “While Textron approaches eVTOL development with a big advantage through our huge installed base of
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engineering talent across the organization, additional hires will be required as the program develops.”
Currently, Textron eAviation is working on the company’s Nexus 4EX eVTOL, which is being built in both all- electric and hybrid electric/ gas versions. The company is being aided in its efforts by Textron’s other divisions, including Bell, Textron Aviation, automotive supplier Kautex, and Pipistrel.
cargo aircraft are factored into the mix. If anything, the general development of more self-directed aircraft will help pilots do their jobs better — rather than take those jobs from them — by reducing their in-flight workloads through autonomous systems. In this scenario, “The pilot will simply tell the aircraft what to do and the aircraft will do it,” he said.
These positive responses support HAI’s bullish stance on pilot job prospects going forward. “I stand by the idea that now is still an exceptional time for people to become helicopter pilots,” said Viola. “As I’ve indicated, helicopters are going to be around for a long time, and we still have a shortage of pilots. This combination provides opportunities for pilots to earn excellent wages and have career advancement opportunities.”
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