Becoming a Helicopter Lineman
Helicopter linemen are responsible for installing and maintaining the electrical systems in helicopters. This can include: installing and repairing antennas, constructing wiring harnesses, and performing repairs on the aircraft’s power distribution system. They are also responsible for testing the flight-worthiness of their work before any flights take place.
Becoming a Helicopter Lineman
In order to become a helicopter lineman, you must first get a high school diploma or GED. Next, you’ll need to enroll in an accredited apprenticeship program. The apprenticeship will take three years and will cover both classroom training as well as on-the-job training. You’ll learn about electricity and electronics as well as how to maintain helicopters. During your apprenticeship, you must complete 6,000 hours of experience working as an apprentice before being eligible for certification. After passing a written test administered by the National Association of Tower Erectors (NATE) or International Society of Tower Erectors (ISTE), you may then apply for certification from both organizations.
How To Become Helicopter Lineman
If you have strong mechanical skills and want to work in an exciting environment, consider becoming a helicopter lineworker. They work in the air repairing and installing power lines. Learning more about this career, such as how to become a helicopter lineworker and the required skills and average salary, can help you determine whether it’s a worthwhile profession.
In this article, we define what a helicopter lineworker is, explain how to become one and discuss the role’s skills, average salary and work environment.
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What is a helicopter lineworker?
A helicopter lineworker is a professional who places and repairs electrical towers, poles and lines. Unlike other lineworkers, they use a helicopter to get to hard-to-reach power lines. Here are some of a helicopter lineworker’s common duties:
- Construct, inspect and repair electrical power lines
- Work on live conductors
- Install and remove anchor systems
- Ensure proper installation according to quality standards
- Follow local utility company policies and procedures
- Troubleshoot electrical issues and devise solutions
- Carry poles and dig holes
- Drive company vehicles
- Inspect and operate machinery and equipment
- Operate an insulator washing device
- Climb wood, steel and concrete structures
- Train apprentices and other crew members
- Perform various tasks from helicopter platforms
Related: Work as a Lineworker: Definition and Examples
How to become a helicopter lineworker
If you’re interested in becoming a helicopter lineworker, you can join a crew in a couple of different ways. Consider these steps to learn how to pursue this profession:
1. Earn a high school diploma or GED
To become a helicopter lineworker, it’s important to earn a high school diploma or earn your GED. During this time, focus on developing your relevant soft skills, such as your communication and problem-solving skills. You can also use this time to consider the other credentials you may want to pursue for this profession.
2. Learn the trade
While you can begin work right after high school, enrolling in a professional program can provide you with a good foundation of knowledge to become a helicopter lineworker. Consider attending a vocational school or completing an apprenticeship. The latter provides you with the fundamentals of the trade.
For example, an electrician’s apprenticeship teaches you about electrical work, how to read blueprints and various health and safety rules to abide by. Keep in mind that while you can work on a helicopter lineworker crew as an apprentice, many of these positions go to experienced journeymen.
Related: How To Write a Lineworker Apprentice Resume in 7 Steps
3. Develop your skills
As a helicopter lineworker, it’s important to have both soft and hard skills. While soft skills refer to any of your abilities that you can use in another profession, hard skills refer to your technical abilities that directly relate to a certain profession. As you pursue a job as a helicopter lineworker, work on developing your mechanical and electrical skills, in particular. Strong verbal communication skills can also help you work alongside your coworkers more efficiently and effectively.
4. Gain relevant experience
Typically, helicopter lineworkers have some years of related experience and training. Look for opportunities that expose you to installation, network upgrades and electrical pole climbing. It also helps to have knowledge of hooks for your future in this profession. With enough experience, you can more easily qualify for a spot on a helicopter lineworker crew.
Related: How To Become a Lineworker in 7 Steps
Helicopter lineworker skills
Here are the common skills and characteristics for a helicopter lineworker:
- Punctuality: As a helicopter lineworker, it’s important to attend to power outages rather quickly. This ensures faulty power lines get installed as quickly as possible.
- Communication: Strong communication skills help helicopter lineworkers work effectively with their crew members. Because of the nature of their work, this skill ensures they work in unison and helps them keep each other away from danger.
- Analytical skills: This skill helps helicopter lineworkers determine how to repair power lines. Their analytical abilities also help them make strategic decisions that can keep them out of harm’s way.
- Math skills: Having this skill helps you pass an apprenticeship aptitude test for this profession. It also helps you solve a variety of electrical problems you may face on the job.
- Ability to receive and follow directions: Since this profession works with high-voltage power lines, it’s important to listen to your crew leader at all times. Following their direction can help you make proper installation and repairs and ensure the safety of the entire crew.
- Physical strength: This skill helps you lift various machinery so you can complete your various duties. For example, you may use your physical strength to carry heavy poles and machinery on the job.
- Mechanical skills: Helicopter lineworkers use this skill to install, maintain and repair cables and power lines for power or electrical distribution. The stronger your mechanical skills, the more efficiently you can complete your work.
Related: Electrician vs. Lineworker: What’s the Difference?
Helicopter lineworker salary
General lineworkers make a national average salary of $48,315 per year. Keep in mind that a helicopter lineworker may earn a different salary. Your salary may also differ based on your experience level, your geographic location and your employer. You may also receive additional compensation, such as overtime, and a variety of employee benefits. Some employee benefits you may receive include health insurance, disability insurance and 401(k) matching.
Related: How To Write a Lineworker Resume (With Template and Example)
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Work environment
Helicopter lineworkers work in intense work environments. Because they often work early in the morning or late at night, they often face large temperature fluctuations. In addition, they typically work full-time schedules and a good amount of overtime. When there’s poor weather, they may even work up to 80 hours per week.
Since helicopter lineworkers have aerial duties and work with high-voltage lines and equipment, their job presents many hazardous and stressful conditions. To prevent this, they follow a variety of safety protocols to keep them safe and help ease potential stress.