A direct path from low time pilot to working helicopter CFI
The most difficult part of any helicopter career is the first step: turning licenses into a real helicopter pilot job when you are still low time. Helicopter Academy has built a unique solution in partnership with BOATPIX.com, an aerial photography company that operates Robinson R-22.
Through this partnership we offer a clear, structured pathway for low hour helicopter pilots: fly BOATPIX aerial photography missions in Robinson helicopters, reach the insurance threshold of 300 hours, and step into a guaranteed CFI job on our contract.
Our 200-to-300 hour pathway for low time helicopter pilots
Many new commercial helicopter pilots finish training with around 200 hours. At this level, you are still considered low time, and insurance requirements can make it difficult for operators to hire you. Most insurers want a minimum of about 300 hours for pilots to be insurable as certified flight instructors in the Robinson R-22.
To solve this problem, Helicopter Academy offers a 100-hour time building program directly linked to real helicopter jobs:
- You arrive with approximately 200 hours of helicopter time and commercial-level skills.
- You purchase 100 hours of time building in Robinson R-22 helicopters on BOATPIX aerial photography missions.
- You log those 100 hours as PIC time, gaining valuable cross-country and mission-based experience.
- At approximately 300 total hours you become insurable and step into a guaranteed CFI position.
This targeted program transforms a low hour pilot into a working helicopter instructor with a clear track record of real missions and Robinson R-22 experience.
Guaranteed CFI helicopter pilot jobs on BOATPIX aerial photography contract
Once you successfully complete the 100-hour R-22 time building program and meet all performance and safety standards, Helicopter Academy will place you into a guaranteed CFI helicopter pilot job on the BOATPIX aerial photography contract.
As a certified flight instructor with Helicopter Academy and BOATPIX you:
- Teach new students in Robinson R-22 helicopters.
- Fly aerial photography missions while supervising low time pilots and photographers.
- Continue to build PIC time, cross-country time, and real-world decision-making experience.
- Establish a strong foundation for future helicopter pilot jobs in tours, EMS, offshore, utility, and more.
This guaranteed job is one of the most direct and transparent paths from graduate to paid helicopter career available in the industry.
What flying BOATPIX aerial photography missions looks like
BOATPIX specializes in photographing boats from the air. Helicopter Academy pilots fly Robinson R-22 helicopters at low level over water, tracking boats while photographers capture images. For a low time pilot, this provides:
- Continuous stick time in real operational environments, not just training patterns.
- Experience managing power, weight, wind, and communications while completing real tasks.
- Logbook entries that show real missions and decision-making, not just maneuvers.
These flights are exactly the kind of experience that transforms a low hour pilot into a confident professional ready for more advanced helicopter jobs.
Why Robinson R-22 experience matters for helicopter careers
The Robinson R-22 is one of the most widely used training helicopters in the world, and many entry-level helicopter pilot jobs rely on it. Employers and insurers know that pilots who have extensive R-22 experience understand energy management, precision control, and cost-effective operations.
By building 100 hours of R-22 PIC time and then instructing in the same aircraft, you create a powerful foundation for a long-term helicopter career. That experience carries forward when you later move into larger helicopters and specialized roles.
Career progression after your first helicopter instructor job
The guaranteed CFI job is not the end goal—it is the beginning of your professional helicopter career. As your experience grows, you may progress into:
- Tour and scenic flight operations.
- ENG and utility helicopter jobs.
- Offshore oil and gas operations in turbine helicopters.
- EMS and corporate helicopter pilot jobs.
Each step builds on the experience you gained as a low time pilot in R-22 helicopters, flying BOATPIX missions and instructing new students.
Serious about building time twards a guaranteed job? Please fill out an application.
Call 561-346-2816 (Call or text)
Helicopter Pilot Jobs — Frequently Asked Questions
Can Helicopter Academy really guarantee me a CFI helicopter pilot job?
Yes. For pilots who successfully complete the 100-hour R-22 time building program, reach approximately 300 hours, and meet our safety and performance standards, Helicopter Academy guarantees a CFI position on the BOATPIX aerial photography contract. This guarantee applies to the initial instructor placement; continued employment depends on professionalism, performance, and adherence to company policies.
Why do I have to purchase 100 hours of time building?
The 100 hours of R-22 time building take you from around 200 hours to the 300-hour level that insurers typically require for low hour pilots to be covered as instructors. Those hours are flown as real BOATPIX aerial photography missions, logged as PIC time, and directly support your ability to hold a paid helicopter pilot job.
What kind of pilot should consider this program?
This pathway is ideal for low time commercial helicopter pilots who are serious about a long-term helicopter career and who want a clear route into their first paid position. If you are motivated, safety-focused, and willing to work hard during the 100-hour time building phase, this program can be an excellent fit.
Do I have to train at Helicopter Academy first?
Many participants start as Helicopter Academy students from private pilot through CFI, but pilots from other schools who meet our standards and time requirements may also be considered. Contact us to discuss your background and how it aligns with our helicopter pilot jobs pathway.
How do I apply for the BOATPIX/Helicopter Academy guaranteed CFI program?
The first step is to speak with our team about your current hours and goals. You can get started by completing our application form or calling 561-346-2816. We will review your experience, explain the 100-hour time building package in detail, and outline the steps toward your guaranteed CFI helicopter pilot job.
To learn more about this low time pathway to real helicopter pilot jobs, please contact Helicopter Academy today.
Pilot testimonial
I went to a regular flight school and had earned a CFI and 200 hours but no job. Someone told me to call the folks that fly the BOATPIX contract and I paid for 100 hours and found a job flying an R44 doing tours in Orlando shortly thereafter. All because of taking pictures of boats! Who would have thought!
- Jonathan F.