Handsome salary of helicopter pilot lures college applicants

Helicopter pilots pose for a college enrollment poster in Chengdu, Southwest China's Sichuan province on June 7, 2016. [Photo/IC]

College applicants may find it tempting to study helicopter piloting as they go through recruitment information provided by a civil aviation college.

"A new graduate of the helicopter piloting major can earn more than 100,000 yuan ($15,188) per annum, while those with experience can earn up to 600,000 yuan annually," according to a statement issued by the Sichuan Southwest Vocational College of Civil Aviation.

The privately-run college based in Chengdu, capital of Southwest China's Sichuan province, has opened a new major – helicopter piloting, and plans to enroll 50 students out of those who sat for the college entrance exam, said Zhang Lin, director of the admission office.

Currently, there is a shortage of helicopter pilots in China, and the new major aims to train such talents with a complete set of courses on piloting, he said.