Shuffling to the breakfast table at 6:30 a.m. the helicopter pilot begins the mental preparation for the busy day and non-stop couple of weeks ahead. It's spring in Alberta and the oil and gas industry is going full-bore. Crews need to be hauled into the middle of the bush and so does their equipment. The pilot knows the flying will go to at least 5:30 p.m. that night followed by an hour or two of paperwork.

Helicopter pilots spend much of their time in remote locations flying long hours where planes often can't and don't go.

"There'll be times where you'll start earlier and go later," explains Earl Miller, co-check pilot with Venture Helicopters. "If the drilling's going good, you basically don't shut down. You'll fly anywhere from six to 10 hours per day." Those flights would include first flying people to remote locations then returning to base camp, hooking up a long line for carrying equipment, and then starting to haul the required gear to the people. Along with re-fuelling and flying back and forth, it is a long day but one Miller always enjoyed.

Working now as a flight training officer for Venture, the long-time pilot brings a worldly outlook to the position. Not only has he flown helicopters for over 20 years, he also flew planes for years before that. "In the helicopter industry, if you're with a company that's diversified you get different jobs," he said. For instance, Venture will fly seismic and drilling crews, heli-skiing passengers, fire fighting etc. "That's the one thing that bothered me with fixed-wing. Doing a scheduled flight is monotony. With helicopters you go anywhere."

In his career Miller has flown everywhere from the jungles of South America to the Arctic islands and everywhere in between. He said that is the best part of the work. "I've seen things most people never get to see." Miller first began flying after carefully listening to some advice given to him by his parents. "(They) said find something you like and make that your career and everything else will be fine. I started in fixed-wing because I was interested in flying."

During his years at the controls of a plane Miller got to know many pilots, including those who conducted helicopter pilot training. "I kept saying 'train me' and they did." He wanted a change but couldn't take himself out of the sky. "I just like to fly," Miller said. "I feel sort of at peace. Getting far from the office is always nice." From there he has gained a ton of experience in the air and has a good idea of what makes a solid helicopter pilot. "Communication skills and attitude are sometimes more important than flying ability because you have to interact with the customers all day." He now spends considerable time re-certifying pilots each year.

As much as Miller enjoys flying, he said there can be drawbacks to the career. "Pilots are, for long periods, away from home on certain jobs." While there are no industry guidelines regarding pay or work schedules, often helicopter pilots start their careers working on a salary and after getting experience they will often negotiate a contract or their own rate for flying time.

And as for schedule, that will depend on the type of work the company does and the season. For Venture, spring and summer are busiest for pilots who will fly a big helicopter for two weeks then have two weeks or fly for three weeks then have two weeks off if operating a smaller helicopter. Despite the allure of being off in remote locations, Miller won't deny becoming a helicopter pilot is a hard job to land. "The worst part is the cost," he said. "The last time I checked it was $40,000 to $45,000. It's cheaper going fixed-wing. Fly at that for a while and see if you like it."

If someone decides to pursue a helicopter pilot's licence, Miller recommends researching a training program offered by through a helicopter company. That way, he said, if there are any openings, the company may keep you on after your training is completed. "The hardest thing is finding that first job. Persistence is best. Once you get a year or two under your belt it makes it easier."