Helicopter Pilot

Pay Range: $33.21/hr. - $41.51/hr. ($69,079 - $86,349 annual compensation)

Job Posting Closing on: Friday, September 26, 2025

Workdays & Hours: Wednesday – Tuesday 12 PM – 12 AM; (7 days on / 7 days off).

Benefits for this position include: 11 Paid Holidays, Medical, Dental, Vision, Paid Time Off, Pension Plan, Professional Development Opportunities, and much more.

The City of Fort Worth is one of the fastest growing large cities in the U.S. Our employees serve the needs of nearly 1,000,000 residents, promoting our values of exceptional customer experience, mutual respect, embracing our diversity, continuous improvement, ethical behavior, and accountability.

A Helicopter Pilot position is available with the City of Fort Worth Police Department – Air Support Unit.  This position will contribute to the City’s strategic goals, mission, and vision by supporting the Police Department, providing safe and efficient air transportation services in support of various Police Department functions, including traffic patrol and enforcement, pursuit of criminals, location and spotlighting of crime scenes, and various other law enforcement activities. This is a non-sworn, civilian position.

Minimum Qualifications:

• HS Diploma supplemented by specialized training in helicopter piloting or a related field.


• Two (2) years of experience as a helicopter pilot, including night flight experience (1500 flight hours, 1000 hours turbine time).


• Possession of an appropriate, valid FAA Commercial Pilot's License with Rotorcraft-Helicopter rating.


• Possession of an appropriate, valid FAA 2nd Class Medical Certification.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Recent and relevant operations, services, and activities of an aerial law enforcement program.


• Operation of Bell 505 aircraft and Bell Factory training.


• 250 hours of flight at night, Night Vision Goggle experience, and Instrument rating.

The Helicopter Pilot job responsibilities include:

• Serves as pilot in command of the Fort Worth Police Department (FWPD) helicopter, providing safe, efficient, and immediate aerial support to road patrol and other Fort Worth Police Department law enforcement operations. Retains responsibility for the aircraft during duty performance.


• Performs pre- and post-flight inspections of helicopters and auxiliary equipment. Prepares flight inspection reports.


• Researches aircraft area of operation for adverse weather conditions, hazardous obstructions (unlit towers, cranes), restrictions in airspace (Temporary Flight Restrictions), and any changes to Federal Aviation Regulations, airspace.


• Maintains flight authority to initiate, conduct, or terminate a flight conducted on behalf of the City.


• Provides safe and efficient air transportation services in support of various Police Department functions, including traffic patrol and enforcement, pursuit of criminals, location and spotlighting of crime scenes, and various other law enforcement activities.


• Operates and maneuvers a helicopter for assigned police functions in a safe and effective manner. Performs aerial searches to locate and spotlight crime scenes as required.


• Prepares analytical and statistical reports on operations and activities.


• Provides aerial transportation support for various other departments as required.

Physical Demands

Light Work – Depending on assignment, positions in this class typically exert up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly having to move objects. If the use of arm and/or leg controls requires exertion of forces greater than that for the Sedentary Work category and the worker sits most of the time, the job is rated Light Work.

Working Conditions

Depending on assignment, positions in this class typically require touching, talking, hearing, seeing, grasping, standing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, walking, repetitive motions, climbing, balancing, pushing, pulling and lifting; depending on assignment. Incumbents may be exposed to moving mechanical parts, odors, dusts, poor ventilation, chemicals, oils, extreme temperatures, inadequate lighting, intense noises, gases, vibrations, chemicals, oils and workspace restrictions.

Applicants for this position must pass a Criminal Justice Information Systems (CJIS) fingerprint-based background check and maintain CJIS eligibility.  Due to CJIS requirements related to system access, the following will result in being disqualified for this position:  Felony Convictions, Felony Deferred Adjudication, Class A Misdemeanor Conviction, Class B Misdemeanor Convictions in the last 10 years, Class A Misdemeanor Deferred Adjudication, Class B Misdemeanor Deferred Adjudication in the last 10 years, an Open Arrest for Any Criminal Offense (Felony or Misdemeanor), and ALL Family Violence Convictions regardless of class.

Conditions of Employment

The City of Fort Worth is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.  It is the policy and practice of the City to recruit, hire, train and promote a diverse workforce without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, parental status, military service, or another non-merit factor.

The City of Fort Worth is committed to full compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to participate in the job application or interview process and to perform essential job functions.

Candidates who do not meet the Education requirement, may be considered if they have more relevant work experience than the position requires. Those selected for employment will be required to pass Pre-Employment checks depending on the position requirements. Those could include, but are not limited to: criminal background check, drug screen, education verification, etc. criminal convictions will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Employees are paid by direct deposit only.