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Articles for category Career Development




Jan
29
2024

Meet a Rotor Pro - CJ Schneider, III - MD Helicopters

Posted by Admin

RPMN: What is your current position? I am currently a standardization pilot for the factory training department, as well as a production test pilot with MD Helicopters LLC in Mesa Arizona. We specialize in initial and recurrent advanced emergency procedure training in all MD airframes as well as maintenance test pilot courses. It’s the absolute dream job, as I get to work with pilots in such a multifaceted industry. There aren't a great number of MD Pilots in the world, but every single one of them brings something significant to the table and are absolute powerhouse in their career field and I'm lucky to get to fly and learn from a great number of them. [Read More...]



Tags: CJ Schneider MD Helicopters Meet A Rotor Pro
Categories: categoryCareer Development categoryOpinion-Editorial categoryHuman Interest



Oct
16
2023

The FAA has Launched a New “SPECIAL PROJECT”

Posted by Admin

In recent months, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has joined forces with the Veterans Administration (VA) in a collaborative effort to identify pilots who, whether intentionally or unintentionally, have failed to accurately disclose receiving disability benefits. In the early part of 2022, the FAA’s Office of Aerospace Medicine launched a ‘Special Project’ investigation aimed at identifying military veteran pilots who may not have properly disclosed their disability benefits to the FAA on their pilot medical applications. As Aviation Lawyer, Anthony Ison, explains in his AOPA article Airman Receiving VA Disability Benefits: A Time Sensitive Warning, it appears that the VA has granted the FAA access to their Veterans Disability Compensation records. Armed with this documentation, the FAA is, subsequently, cross referencing their own files in order to identify any pilot who may not have properly disclosed all of their VA Disability benefits. [Read More...]



Tags: Airman receiving VA Disability benefits FAA Form 8500-8 MedXpress
Categories: categoryCareer Development categoryRegulatory



Jun
19
2023

Follow Up Email - Military to Civilian

Posted by Admin

After a job interview, you should send a formal thank you note to everyone that was involved in that interview, and it wouldn’t hurt to thank the recruiter and those that coordinated the meeting as well. Sending a thank you note after an interview shows that you're a professional—a “pro.” After your interview, you should send a thank you note to the interviewer immediately. When writing your note, there are a few things to keep in mind: [Read More...]



Tags: Career Development Follow Up Email Follow Up Interview Military to Civilian Networking
Categories: categoryCareer Development



Jun
05
2023

My Two Cents Worth - Find Common Ground

Posted by Admin

A key concept in the development of early relationships is finding common ground; elements within each of our lives where we share interest and experience. It is through these shared perspectives that we gain trust and confidence that our communications with each other have meaning and understanding. At times, identifying common ground can seem like an impossible task. As the vertical lift industry becomes more diverse, the people, aircraft, and even operating methodologies look very different; however, the importance of working together has never been more critical than it is today. [Read More...]



Tags: aircraft training Helicopter Training vertical lift industry
Categories: categoryCareer Development categoryOpinion-Editorial



May
08
2023

Executive Watch - Todd Tetzlaff, President and CEO of Enstrom Helicopter Corp

Posted by Admin

When Todd Tetzlaff Talks… People Listen “I’m really good at dumbing things down because I’m not that bright,” says the man who is now leading the revival of past-bankrupt Enstrom Helicopter Corporation, based in Menominee, Michigan. In a relaxed interview that spanned over an hour at this year’s recent HAI Expo in Atlanta, one gets the sense that Todd Tetzlaff is completely candid when he confesses his shortcoming. No, not because the aircraft engineering technology graduate from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University is “not that bright.” After all, Tetzlaff has held FAA engineering designee privileges with flight analyst and structural authorities for over 20 years and is also a certified private fixed- and commercial rotary-wing pilot. He bilingually and fluently speaks the advanced languages of engineers and pilots. He also was the object of a decades long tug-of-war between Enstrom Helicopter and Gulfstream for his abilities, when he bounced back and forth between helicopters and jets until helicopters won. Of course, he humbly doesn’t see himself as an object of pursuit; he was the pursuer and just grateful to be working in aerospace. [Read More...]



Tags: President and CEO of Enstrom Helicopter Corp. Rotor Pro Executive Watch Todd Tetzlaff
Categories: categoryCareer Development categoryHuman Interest



May
01
2023

THE 2022—2023 ANNUAL ROTOR PRO U.S. PILOT SALARY & BENEFITS SURVEY

Posted by Admin

Unfortunately for the industry, the recurring theme is that there are still many external forces impacting the supply of working helicopter pilots. These forces are not only keeping the supply lines short of personnel, but stifling the growth of the base pilot pool as well. As previously published in the 2021-2022 Salary Survey Report, the forces creating havoc for industry operators stem from many factors to include; aging pilots retiring en-mass, aggressive airline recruitment of helicopter pilots, and the retraction of pilot training pipelines from traditional sources like civilian academies and the U.S. Military. But don’t just take it from us, operators from every sector are feeling the pinch.Tony Bonham, VP of Aviation for Air Evac Lifeteam, one of the largest operators in the U.S., reflected on the situation, "Due to pilot shortages, helicopter air ambulance operators in general are struggling to fill positions at bases all over the U.S. It has become critical in some areas to the degree that some bases are being run part-time. Not only is this not good for business, but it provides less service to the communities we serve.” [Read More...]



Tags: Helicopter Industry Salaries Helicopter Pilots Salaries Helicopter Pilots Salary Survey Report Pilot Pay Pilot Salaries Rotor Pro Salary Survey Report
Categories: categoryCareer Development



Apr
10
2023

Choose Simulator Training for Better Performance

Posted by Admin

Skilled helicopter pilots know there’s no substitute for effective flight training. For the most impactful training, there’s only one decision that makes the most sense for its effectiveness, indirect costs and range of training, and that’s simulator training at FlightSafety International. Fixed-wing pilots and the airlines have used simulator training to their advantage for years. While helicopter pilots have had the tools available to them, there has recently been a culture shift to simulator training over training in the aircraft, and for good reasons. [Read More...]



Tags: flight training devices FlightSafety Level D Simulator FTD Helicopter Simulator Training Simulator Training
Categories: categoryCareer Development categoryTraining categorySafety



Feb
27
2023

Editor's Letter - Welcome to Atlanta! Will 2023 Excite Like 2022?

Posted by Admin

Although January 1 starts the calendar new year, I feel like the vertical lift industry’s new year begins on the first day of HAI Heli-Expo, the world’s largest vertical lift industry trade show. 14,000-plus attendees as well as 600-plus companies representing manufacturers and services providers come together to share with our industry what’s new, as well as to connect with customers. In 2022, we saw many new milestones across a variety of sectors. Unmanned, Advanced Air Mobility and eVTOL aircraft, which seemed like a pipe dream for several years, moved the needle in a big way with many AAM and eVTOL aircraft flying for the first time, with some achieving certain levels of certification. There was a renewed call for the industry to embrace these new platforms when HAI President Jim Viola strongly said, “Let me be clear: AAM (advanced air mobility unmanned aircraft) and eVTOL (electric-powered vertical takeoff and landing aircraft) operations are complementary to conventional helicopters.” On the unmanned front, on Page 74 Rotor Pro spoke to OEMs and operators to learn who will service Unmanned, Advanced Air Mobility and eVTOL aircraft in our industry. [Read More...]



Tags: eVTOL OEM Rotor Pro at HeliExpo 2023
Categories: categoryCareer Development categoryOpinion-Editorial categoryHelicopter Event Coverage



Feb
06
2023

Adieu - Thank for the Terrific Ride - Randy Mains

Posted by Admin

Last March, I informed Lyn Burks, owner and editor-in-chief of this magazine, that this November/December issue would be my last column for Rotor Pro. Before I fade off into the journalistic sunset, I’d like to share with you how I came to write my column, my motivation to do so and discuss how, in my view, the industry has changed since I joined this magazine. The wonderful opportunity to become a columnist for Rotor Pro happened more by unexpected opportunity than by design. In 1982, when I was working full time as chief pilot for UCSD Medical Center’s Life Flight program piloting a Bell 222 single pilot IFR in San Diego, I also attended San Diego State University full time and graduated with a degree in journalism. I could have never imagined I would one day have my own column. My first published article for Rotor and Wing magazine back in 1983 was entitled “Life and Death—an EMS Pilot’s Viewpoint.” In that same year, I was awarded the first Golden Hour Award presented by Helicopter Association International (HAI). The now annual award recognizes a person’s efforts to further the helicopter air ambulance concept in America. [Read More...]



Tags: CRM Golden Hour Helicopter Safety randy mains
Categories: categoryCareer Development categorySafety categoryOpinion-Editorial



Jan
23
2023

Meet a Rotor Pro - Tyler Carver, Papillon Grand Canyon Helicopters

Posted by Admin

RP: What is your current position? I am the assistant director of operations for Papillon Grand Canyon Helicopters. We are the world’s largest and longest-operating helicopter tour company with 57 years of experience. Papillon currently operates a fleet of 47 helicopters, including Bell 206Ls, Airbus AS350B3es and EC130B4/T2s, and an MD 900. We employ over 60 pilots in seven locations across Nevada and Arizona. In addition to tours, we also have a robust utility division with helicopters working on contracts anywhere from Alaska to Florida. [Read More...]



Tags: Meet A Rotor Pro Papillon Grand Canyon Helicopters Tyler Carver
Categories: categoryCareer Development


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