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Life Flight Pilot Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

... pilots, passengers, flight crews, airlines, airports and military personnel connected and informed ... Life insurance and disability coverage * Optional coverages you can buy pet insurance, home and ...

... pilots, passengers, flight crews, airlines, airports and military personnel connected and informed ... Life insurance and disability coverage * Optional coverages you can buy pet insurance, home and ...

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Life Flight Pilot information

See Iowa salary details

$45.1K

$81.9K

$124.9K

How much do life flight pilot jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 8, 2026, the average yearly pay for life flight pilot in Iowa is $81,852.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $66,700.00 and $95,800.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a life flight pilot?

Life Flight Pilots are specially trained helicopter or airplane pilots who transport critically ill or injured patients to medical facilities as quickly and safely as possible. They work as part of an air medical team and must have advanced flying skills, as well as the ability to operate under pressure in emergency situations. Life Flight Pilots often collaborate closely with paramedics, nurses, and doctors during patient transport. Their role is vital in saving lives, especially in cases where ground transportation would take too long or is inaccessible.

What skills and qualifications are needed to be a life flight pilot?

To thrive as a Life Flight Pilot, you need an FAA commercial or ATP pilot license, extensive flight hours (often 2,000+), and specialized training in helicopter or fixed-wing aeromedical operations. Familiarity with advanced avionics, GPS navigation systems, and night vision equipment is typically required, along with certifications such as Instrument Rating and potentially NVG (Night Vision Goggle) endorsement. Excellent situational awareness, decision-making under pressure, and strong communication skills are crucial for effectively handling emergencies and coordinating with medical teams. These competencies ensure the safe, timely, and efficient transportation of critically ill or injured patients in high-stakes situations.

What are some common challenges life flight pilots face during emergency medical missions?

Life Flight Pilots often encounter challenging flight conditions, such as bad weather, night-time operations, and landing in unfamiliar or restricted areas. They must remain calm under pressure while coordinating closely with medical crews and air traffic control to ensure patient and crew safety. Additionally, responding to urgent calls requires adaptability and quick decision-making, as every mission can differ greatly in terms of location, patient needs, and logistical constraints.

What is the difference between Life Flight Pilot vs Helicopter Pilot?

AspectLife Flight PilotHelicopter Pilot
CertificationsCommercial Pilot License, Medical Certificate, sometimes additional rotorcraft ratingsCommercial Pilot License, Medical Certificate, rotorcraft ratings
Work EnvironmentEmergency medical flights, hospitals, accident scenesVaried, including transportation, construction, tourism, and emergency services
Employer & IndustryAir ambulance services, hospitals, emergency response agenciesAirlines, private companies, government agencies, emergency services

While both roles require similar certifications and involve flying helicopters, Life Flight Pilots specifically operate in emergency medical and rescue settings, often under urgent conditions. Helicopter Pilots have a broader range of industries and environments, including commercial and private operations. The key difference lies in the specialized medical emergency focus of Life Flight Pilots versus the diverse applications of Helicopter Pilots.

How hard is it to be a life flight pilot?

Becoming a life flight pilot requires extensive training, including obtaining a commercial pilot license, flight hours, and specialized certifications such as instrument and multi-engine ratings. The job demands high levels of skill, quick decision-making, and the ability to operate in challenging environments, often under stressful conditions. It typically involves years of experience in aviation before qualifying for this role.

How much do life flight pilots make?

Life flight pilots typically earn between $70,000 and $150,000 annually, depending on experience, certifications, and location. Salaries can be higher for pilots with advanced training, such as instrument or commercial ratings, and those working in high-demand regions or for specialized medical transport services.

How to get a job as a Life Flight Pilot?

To become a Life Flight Pilot, candidates typically need a commercial pilot license with rotorcraft or fixed-wing ratings, extensive flight hours, and experience in emergency or medical transport operations. Additional certifications such as an instrument rating and specialized training in aeromedical services are often required, along with strong communication and decision-making skills. Employers also look for experience in high-pressure environments and a clean flying record.

What are popular job titles related to Life Flight Pilot jobs in Iowa?

For Life Flight Pilot jobs in Iowa, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Life Flight Pilot job openings in Iowa as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $81,852 per year, or $39.4 per hour.

Principal Project Engineer - Air Combat Test & Training (ONSITE)

Prattwhitney

Cedar Rapids, IA • On-site

$150 - $200/hr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 3 days ago

New


Pratt & Whitney rating

8.8

Company rating: 8.8 out of 10

Based on 162 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

13th of 72 rated aerospace companies


Job description

Country: United States of America, Location: US-IA-CEDAR RAPIDS-130 ~ 5350 C Ave NE ~ BLDG 130.

Role Type: Onsite. U.S. Citizen, U.S. Person, or Immigration Status Requirements: The ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government issued security clearance is required. U.S. citizenship is required, as only U.S. citizens are eligible for a security clearance.

Security Clearance Type: DoD Clearance: Secret, Security Clearance Status: Active and existing security clearance required after day 1.

Collins Aerospace, an RTX company, is a leader in technologically advanced, intelligent solutions that help redefine the aerospace and defense industry. With a comprehensive portfolio and deep technical expertise, we help customers meet the demands of the global market. Join us and help shape the future of aerospace and defense.

Air Combat Test & Training (ACTT) is seeking a Principal Project Engineer to lead motivated and passionate teams of experts to develop, test, enhance, deploy, and sustain our advanced airborne training systems. ACTT is a system-of-systems development team that designs, integrates, and supports some of the largest, most complex solutions offered by Collins Aerospace. Our flagship product, the Tactical Combat Training System Increment II (TCTS II), is an on-aircraft, in-flight training system that provides unmatched operational realism to our nation's top-tier fighter pilots and enables them to truly “train as they fight”. As a Principal Project Engineer in ACTT, you will have a unique opportunity to lead the evolution of fighter pilot training and make a difference.

Please ensure the role type (defined below) is appropriate for your needs before applying to this role.

ONSITE: Employees who are working in Onsite roles will work primarily onsite. This includes all production and maintenance employees, as they are essential to the development of our products. At Collins, the paths we pave together lead to limitless possibility. And the bonds we form – with our customers and with each other – propel us all higher, again and again.

This role is a U.S.-based role.

What You Will Do
  • Lead medium-scale projects to develop, integrate, test and deploy state-of-the-art technology in cryptography, datalinks, navigation, communication, and networking
  • Oversee project planning from initiation to completion, including defining scope, setting objectives, establishing timelines, and coordinating resources to meet project milestones and program requirements
  • Lead engineering bid and proposal (B&P) efforts to capture new business and unlock new markets
  • Drive efficiency and optimization throughout the project lifecycle by applying lessons learned, implementing best practices, and leveraging new methodologies
  • Identify, assess, and mitigate risks, while also proactively identifying and capitalizing on opportunities that enhance efficiency, innovation, or overall project outcomes
  • Manage communication and collaboration with internal and external stakeholders to ensure that expectations are aligned, feedback is incorporated, and project goals are effectively communicated
  • Work with engineering functional leaders to secure and coordinate the resources necessary to build effective project teams and meet commitments
  • Ensure adherence to regulatory requirements, industry standards, company policies, and contractual obligations by maintaining documentation, supporting compliance activities, and enforcing best practices to uphold project integrity and accountability
  • Up to 10% travel is required
Qualifications You Must Have
  • Experience operating in a lead role
  • Background in hardware, software, or systems development
  • Experience with Earned Value (EV) as a Control Account Manager (CAM) or similar role
  • Experience with bidding and basis of estimate (BOE) development
  • Typically requires a degree in Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) and minimum 8 years prior relevant experience or an Advanced Degree in a related field and minimum 5 years of experience
Qualifications We Prefer
  • Experience operating in a Project Engineer role
  • Familiarity with secure lab operations, classified networks, and cross domain solutions
  • Agile/Scrum leadership experience (Scrum Master, Product Owner, etc)
  • Experience with requirements management in DOORS, Jama, or similar tools
  • Experience with MS Project, Confluence, JIRA, or similar tools
  • Experience with RTX Lifecycle Program Management (RLPM) processes
What We Offer
  • Medical, dental, and vision insurance
  • Three weeks of vacation for newly hired employees
  • Generous 401(k) plan that includes employer matching funds and separate employer retirement contribution, including a Lifetime Income Strategy option
  • Tuition reimbursement program
  • Student Loan Repayment Program
  • Life insurance and disability coverage
  • Optional coverages you can buy pet insurance, home and auto insurance, additional life and accident insurance, critical illness insurance, group legal, ID theft protection
  • Birth, adoption, parental leave benefits
  • Carrot Health to hormonal health, fertility, and family planning
  • Adoption Assistance
  • Autism Benefit
  • Employee Assistance Plan, including up to 10 free counseling sessions
  • Healthy You Incentives, wellness rewards program
  • Doctor on Demand, virtual doctor visitsBright Horizons, child and elder care services
  • Teladoc Medical Experts, second opinion program
  • This position is eligible for relocation assistance

Do you want to be a part of something bigger? A team whose impact stretches across the world, and even beyond? At Collins Aerospace, our Mission Systems team helps civilian, military and government customers complete their most complex missions — whatever and wherever they may be. Our customers depend on us for intelligent and secure communications, missionized systems for specialized aircraft and spacecraft and collaborative space solutions. By joining our team, you’ll have your own critical part to play in ensuring our customer succeeds today while anticipating their needs for tomorrow. Are you up for the challenge? Join our mission today.

Employee Referral Eligible #MISENG

The salary range for this role is 107,500 USD - 204,500 USD. The salary range provided is a good faith estimate representative of all experience levels. RTX considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the role, function and associated responsibilities, a candidate’s work experience, location, education/training, and key skills. Hired applicants may be eligible for benefits, including but not limited to, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short-term disability, long-term disability, 401(k) match, flexible spending accounts, flexible work schedules, employee assistance program, Employee Scholar Program, parental leave, paid time off, and holidays. Specific benefits are dependent upon the specific business unit as well as whether or not the position is covered by a collective-bargaining agreement. Hired applicants may be eligible for annual short-term and or long-term incentive compensation programs depending on the level of the position and whether or not it is covered by a collective-bargaining agreement. Payments under these annual programs are not guaranteed and are dependent upon a variety of factors including, but not limited to, individual performance, business unit performance, and/or the company’s performance.

If the successful candidate resides in a U.S. territory, the appropriate pay structure and benefits will apply. RTX anticipates the application window closing approximately 40 days from the date the notice was posted. However, factors such as candidate flow and business necessity may require RTX to shorten or extend the application window.

RTX is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability or veteran status, or any other applicable state or federal protected class. RTX provides affirmative action in employment for qualified Individuals with a Disability and Protected Veterans in compliance with Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act.

RTX is an aerospace and defense company that provides advanced systems and services for commercial, military and government customers worldwide. It comprises three industry-leading businesses – Collins Aerospace, Pratt & Whitney, and Raytheon. Its 195,000 employees enable the company to operate at the edge of known science as they imagine and deliver solutions that push the boundaries in quantum physics, electric propulsion, directed energy, hypersonics, avionics and cybersecurity. The company, formed in 2020 through the combination of Raytheon Company and the United Technologies Corporation aerospace businesses, is headquartered in Arlington, Virginia.

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About Pratt & Whitney

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Pratt & Whitney has a long history of leadership and innovation in the field of aviation propulsion. Our story begins in the 1920s and has flourished throughout the decades. We have continuously transformed and reinvented our businesses to offer superior products and services to our customers. In 1925, the Pratt & Whitney Aircraft Company was founded by Frederick B. Rentschler, pioneer of the air-cooled radial engine design which enabled unprecedented power-to-weight ratio. Its first engine, the R-1340 Wasp engine, transformed military and commercial aviation and is still in use today. In 1928, the Canadian division of the Pratt & Whitney Aircraft Company was established. In 1944, Pratt & Whitney began its gas turbine and jet propulsion initiative. The company constructed a wind tunnel, laboratory and engineering center to support our allies’ efforts in World War II. In 1945, wartime production included more than 300,000 Pratt & Whitney engines, touted by service members as extremely dependable – a legacy that continues today. From there, Pratt & Whitney continued to design and innovate more powerful, agile, and reliable engines becoming a leader in the aerospace industry. Today, Pratt & Whitney has more than 85,000 engines in service and more than 16,000 customers worldwide.

Industry

Engineering professional services

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

East Hartford, CT, US