PC-12 Air Ambulance Captain (IFR) – 7/7 Schedule, Yakima, WA

✈️ About the mission

Join Air Methods on the Airlift Northwest program and captain a meticulously maintained Pilatus PC-12 under IFR, transporting highly trained medical teams and patients across the region. You will hold final authority for safe, legal operations and be the steady hand that gets patients to definitive care when minutes matter.

🧭 What you will do

• Exercise final authority for flight safety, legality, and mission completion within the assigned operational area.
• Verify airworthiness and weather suitability; complete thorough preflight and postflight walk-arounds and sign the Daily Flight Log.
• Plan and execute flights to exacting standards on short notice, complying with FARs, AIM, GOM, and Air Methods policies.
• Operate primary and backup aircraft confidently; ensure the medical team is familiar and comfortable with onboard systems.
• Partner closely with clinicians to deliver seamless, compassionate air-ambulance transport.
• Participate in meetings, training, projects, committees, and community outreach to strengthen safety and service.
• Work a predictable 7-on/7-off rotation of 12-hour shifts.

🧰 Minimum flight experience

Applicants must have flown in category within the previous 24 months and meet both sets of minimums below.

• IFR Program minimums:
  • 2,500 total hours, including at least 2,000 hours in category (fixed-wing)
  • 1,000 hours PIC in category
  • 500 hours cross-country (50+ hours at night)
  • 500 hours turbine
  • 100 hours night
  • 100 hours actual instrument in category
• Airlift Northwest (ALNW) minimums:
  • 2,500 total hours including 2,500 hours in category (fixed-wing)
  • 150 hours night
  • 300 hours actual instrument in category
  • 50 hours in make and model (PC-12)

🎓 Education, licenses & medical

• Associate degree or equivalent from a two-year college/technical school plus 2–5 years related experience/training; Bachelor’s degree preferred.
• Commercial Pilot License (CPL) with instrument rating for category/class; an ATP in category satisfies the instrument requirement.
• For this PC-12: Commercial Single-Engine Land required. (Multi-engine rating required only when operating twins.)
• FAA First or Second Class Medical Certificate.
• Flight crew weight not to exceed 250 lb; must be under 70 years of age.

🌟 Pay, perks & benefits

• Base salary: $82,900–$93,251 annually (step-based)
• Sign-on bonus: $15,000
• Experience stipend up to $12,000 + additional stipend of $50,000
• Off-duty housing provided
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision coverage
• Competitive 401(k)
• Flexible Spending Account
• Tuition reimbursement
• Company-paid life insurance, AD&D
• Short- and long-term disability insurance
• Business travel accident insurance
• Voluntary legal coverage
• Relocation assistance
• Employee assistance and benefit concierge services

🗺️ Schedule & base life

• 7-on/7-off schedule with 12-hour shifts for true work-life balance
• Structured, safety-first operation with strong training and support
• Team-centered base culture with regular meetings and continuous improvement

📨 How to stand out

• Recent in-category time and strong single-pilot IFR proficiency
• Substantial actual instrument and night experience
• PC-12 time, especially 50+ hours in make/model, meeting ALNW criteria
• Demonstrated judgment, crew coordination, and mission focus in EMS/air medical or similar high-tempo operations