Helicopter Pilot Careers in Film and Television Production

Are you a helicopter pilot looking for an interestingrequired to be a member of the Screen Actors Guild
career? How about the chance to play a part in the(SAG). SAG is the union that most if not all Hollywood
next blockbuster movie? Or the chance to rub elbowsactors belong to and if you're going to be on screen
with some of the biggest stars in Hollywood. If thisyou'll have to join it also.
sounds like fun then a career as a movie pilot might bePilots who fly the camera ship are not required to join
in your future.SAG.
Helicopter pilots who fly in support of movie andAt any rate, whether you're on screen or off you'll
television production generally play two roles. They flyeventually need to join the Motion Picture Pilots
a helicopter that is part of the scene being filmed orAssociation (MPPA). The MPAA consists of a group
they fly a helicopter as a camera ship and film theof Hollywood movie pilots. As a group MPPA
action in a scene.members fly the majority of aircraft used in the
If you want a career as a Hollywood pilot the bestproduction of Hollywood movies.
thing you could do is to get a job with one of theThe life of a movie pilot can be exciting but it an also
companies that provides motion picture support. Don'tconsist of very long days and lots of travel. Long days
expect to be directly hired into a position as a movieat movie shoots in remote locations both in the United
pilot. Most operators who do Hollywood support alsoStates and overseas keep many pilots from pursuing
do other types of flying such as charter. If this is thethis line of work.
case you can expect to this type of flying while youFor the person willing to make the required sacrifices, a
learn what's required of a Hollywood pilot.career as helicopter pilot flying for the movies is
Pilots who fly helicopters that are in a scene areexciting and lucrative.