Helicopter pilots spend the majority of their time flying in their aircraft. They may also spend time in aircraft hangars maintaining their aircraft, or in company offices completing paperwork.

Depending on the industries they work in, helicopter pilots often have opportunities to travel locally or around the country to meet the needs of their clients. However, they cannot fly when it is very windy or when there is poor visibility (in heavy cloud or fog).

Equipment helicopter pilots may use includes:

• radios
• safety helmets and headsets
• navigational and flying instruments
• Global Positioning Systems (GPS) navigation
• maps and charts
• computers for flight planning and obtaining weather briefings.

Helicopter pilots are sometimes employed part time when they first start and progress to full-time work when they have more experience. There are seasonal variations for some types of work, and they may be on call and have to work weekends and holidays. 

For safety reasons, the Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand sets daily, weekly and monthly limits on the number of hours helicopter pilots can fly.

Helicopter pilots often work independently, but they may work as part of a team or interact with their passengers. Depending on which industry they work in, helicopter pilots may have contact with business people, labourers, tourists, photographers and students.