Rotor Wing Captain (Float Position)

Apply today at www.Lifeflight.me/careers

About LifeFlight of Maine 

LifeFlight of Maine is a private nonprofit with an important public, statewide mission as Maine’s only air ambulance service: ensuring that everyone, in every community in Maine, has access to critical care and medical transport when needed. 

Few organizations offer a work experience as challenging, meaningful, and gratifying as LifeFlight of Maine. LifeFlight is one of the most highly regarded air medical programs in the country, with a commitment to excellence matched only by the team’s dedication to the patients, families, and communities we serve. 

LifeFlight’s aviation team is small and cohesive. LifeFlight owns, operates, and maintains all of its aircraft under LifeFlight Aviation Services, its Part 135 Certificate holder. Pilots work directly with the DO and Chief Pilot, as well as the maintenance team and medical crews. 

Rotor Wing Captain Position Summary: 

At LifeFlight, the RWC serves as the pilot-in-command, leading and executing flight assignments in a safe, effective, and professional manner. The RWC evaluates Visual Flight Rules (VFR) options and Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) options when applicable. The RWC is expected to promote a Just and Accountable Culture, teamwork and strong Crew Resource Management, and work collaboratively with other members of the flight program to complete tasks. Utilizing a fleet of Leonardo A109SP helicopters with 4-axis autopilot, LifeFlight flies single pilot IFR helicopter operations across Maine’s vast and varied landscape, day and night, 365 days a year. No two flight operations are the same. This is a challenging, unique, and rewarding opportunity for an experienced rotor wing pilot looking to be part of a program making a meaningful difference across the state. 

Job Location: 

Variable assignment at any of three Maine bases (Bangor, Lewiston, Sanford), subject to operational needs.  

Pay: 

$106,049-119,022 per year with other incentives available

Education and/or experience 

• 2000 total flight hours with a minimum of 1500 helicopter hours 
• 1000 hours Pilot in Command time 
• 1000 hours of Turbine engine time 
• 300 hours of Nighttime 
• 100 hours Instrument time (Actual Preferred) 
• FAA Class I Physical Medical Certificate 
• Preferred helicopter EMS experience 
• ATP Preferred, ATP written required within 1 year of hire 
• Preferred Night Vision Goggle (NVG) experience 

Or, if candidate is ATP rated or has recent Air Medical or SAR or NVG experience, then: 

• 1500 total flight hours with a minimum of 1200 helicopter flight hours 
• At least 1000 of those hours must be as PIC in rotorcraft 
• A minimum of 1000 hours of Turbine engine time 
• 300 hours under NVG 
• 75 hours IFR experience (At least 50 hours of actual non-simulated Instrument experience) 

License: 

• Commercial Pilot, Rotorcraft-Helicopter Instrument Privileges 
• ATP rating preferred.  ATP required within 18 months of hire. 

Working conditions/physical demands:

• Ability to operate helicopters and is exposed to non-conventional motion, noise, vibration, chemicals (i.e., jet fumes) and extreme heat or cold.
• Ability to lift at least 50 pounds using proper body mechanics and bend and carry heavy equipment and assist with carrying and loading patients.
• Ability to use maintenance stands and ladders to preflight aircraft.
• Able to refuel aircraft at the LFAS facility.
• Works in a patient care environment on the aircraft and is exposed to possible infectious diseases and chemical toxins.

The specific statements shown in each section of this description are not intended to be all-inclusive. They represent typical elements considered necessary to successfully perform the job.

More About LifeFlight of Maine 

LifeFlight’s helicopters, airplane, and ground ambulances are based in Bangor, Lewiston, and Sanford (Maine). LifeFlight’s crews cover the entire state, including offshore islands, complementing and supporting the work of local EMS and hospital personnel in caring for critically ill or injured patients. The crew is comprised of a highly qualified team of pilots, flight nurses and flight paramedics, EMT vehicle operators, aviation maintenance technicians, and communications specialists.  

LifeFlight was fully re-accredited by CAMTS (Commission on Accreditation of Medical Transport Systems) in 2025. In that same year, LifeFlight received the “Salute to Excellence Safety Award” from VAI (Vertical Aviation International) for its commitment to safety across the organization. LifeFlight was recognized among the “Best Places to Work in Maine” in both 2024 and 2025. 

About LifeFlight Aviation Services 

LifeFlight Aviation Services (LFAS) is a wholly owned subsidiary of LifeFlight of Maine committed to operating a safe, high-reliability, instrument-based aviation system for medical transport in Maine and northern New England. LifeFlight of Maine maintains a vast network of aviation infrastructure consisting of PBN IFR routes, point-in-space instrument approaches, AWOS weather stations, fuel depots, and high-definition remote weather cameras. LifeFlight of Maine operates a fleet of Leonardo A109SP helicopters with 4-axis autopilots, a G1000 equipped King Air B200, and a fleet of ground ambulances.