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Articles for category Opinion-Editorial




Mar
11
2024

Meet a Rotor Pro - Joshua Montour, Tampa Bay Aviation

Posted by Admin

What is your current position? I currently work as the assistant chief helicopter pilot at Tampa Bay Aviation. Tampa Bay Aviation is the largest helicopter flight school in the area; we have four locations across the bay (KCLW, KPIE, KSPG, and KVDF). Tampa Bay Aviation offers Part 141 and Part 61 courses from private through CFI, and CFII and ATP Part 61. We also work with the VA, so we can accommodate veterans as well. We are one of the largest fixed-wing and helicopter flight schools on Florida’s west coast. I also work as a part-time ENG pilot for Sky Helicopters, and a part-time charter pilot and check airman for Skyway Aviation. [Read More...]



Tags: Joshua Montour Tampa Bay Aviation Meet A Rotor Pro
Categories: categoryOpinion-Editorial



Feb
16
2024

Helicopter Industry Seismic Shift - Editor's Letter

Posted by Admin

For my entire 30-year working life, I have referred to my work as a pilot, helicopter operator, and media company owner as being in the “helicopter industry.” It’s pretty much all I have known. However back in 2020, we saw a significant shift in the industry’s perspective of what the future might look like. It involved terms like “eVTOL,” “unmanned,” and “AAM” (advanced air mobility.) This shift came not only in the form of conversations, but rapidly morphed into actions by investors, regulators, and OEMs. I remember asking several industry colleagues of stature if they thought this movement towards new platforms was real, or was it pie-in-the-sky futurecasting. The responses I got were 50/50. [Read More...]



Tags: HeliExpo 2024 Rotor Pro Editor's Letter
Categories: categoryOpinion-Editorial



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



Jan
08
2024

Best of 2023: Rotor Tech Roundup

Posted by Admin

Nine companies made our ‘Best of Rotor Tech’ list this year. The accomplishments they racked up during 2023 are truly impressive. [Read More...]



Tags: Airbus Helicopters FlightLab Helicopter Technology
Categories: categoryOpinion-Editorial categoryHelicopter Sectors



Jan
01
2024

Tech and Growth on Display in Europe

Posted by Admin

For the second time in as many days, I was demoing a product that involved complex helicopter operations with a set of virtual reality goggles on my face. Boy how times have changed! [Read More...]



Tags: European Rotors Vertical Lift Virtual Reality Googles
Categories: categoryOpinion-Editorial



Dec
18
2023

Artificial Intelligence Will Shake Up Aviation

Posted by Admin

There’s a revolution underway in aviation, and it is being driven by artificial intelligence. AI is already affecting everything from helicopter/fixed-wing design and manufacturing to in-flight operations and maintenance, along with air traffic control and anything else that touches flying. [Read More...]



Tags: Aviation Artificial Intelligence
Categories: categoryOpinion-Editorial categoryHelicopter Sectors



Dec
04
2023

Meet a Rotor Pro - David Meisels, Pratt and Whitney Canada

Posted by Admin

RPMN: What is your current position? I am an associate director at Pratt & Whitney Canada (P&WC) in helicopter marketing, and my function includes program management. I’m responsible for all interactions between certain helicopter OEMs and P&WC. My role is exciting because I have a wide breadth of responsibility: everything from the tactical (deliveries, quality, etc.) to the strategic (new products, new technologies) to the relationship with my OEMs. [Read More...]



Tags: Meet A Rotor Pro
Categories: categoryOpinion-Editorial categoryHuman Interest



Nov
06
2023

Technology or Training: What’s making us safer?

Posted by Admin

I recall that when I was an emergency medical services pilot back in the 90s, I wrote many times that it was my belief that training was the key to reducing the high accident rate in EMS. Although I flew an S-76 with an autopilot and glass cockpit, technology was not as prevalent for light-single helicopters. For the most part back then, we received our initial part 135 training, then our annual recurrent training (which was pretty light) only once per year. For most operators, training involved shooting an instrument approach and performing an unusual attitude recovery under a view limiting device (foggles) during VMC conditions. Given the lack of technology, as compared to today, it’s difficult to fault the operators. I always used to say that if the operators could not train themselves to be safer, they would eventually be regulated and “technologied” into safety. [Read More...]



Tags: Helicopter Technology Helicopter Training Rotor Pro Editor's Letter
Categories: categoryRegulatory categoryTraining categoryOpinion-Editorial



Sep
04
2023

FLYING AND FIREFIGHTING WITH KISHUGU AVIATION GROUP

Posted by Admin

Aerial firefighting teams often find themselves operating in less-than-ideal conditions when general aviators are faced with strong, gusty winds and unpredictable mountainous terrain exacerbated by extreme heat. These challenging circumstances are further intensified by the presence of multiple helicopters, fixed-wing spotter aircraft and bombers in close proximity, as well as reduced visibility and low-altitudes, making aerial firefighting jobs among the most perilous in the industry. Kishugu Aviation is a key provider of aerial support to the South Africa's Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries through its Expanded Public Works Program (EPWP) initiative called Working on Fire (WoF). Based in Mbombela, Mpumalanga, Kishugu Aviation offers an extensive array of aerial services to both public and private sectors, encompassing aerial firefighting, game relocation, anti-poaching, disaster relief, drone operations, and charter work. Kishugu Aviation, previously known as Forest Fire Association, started in 1986 with one spotter aircraft and has grown into an industry leader that today boasts a fleet of more than 40 aircraft. [Read More...]



Tags: aerial fire support Kishugu Aviation South Africa Expanded Public Works Program
Categories: categoryOpinion-Editorial categoryCompany Profiles



Jun
27
2023

Editor's Letter - Pendulum Swings From Defund to Refund the Police

Posted by Admin

Remember the “defund the police” movement that began back in 2020? I remember thinking at the time, “This really seems like a dumb idea.” I recall learning “Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs” while taking a college psychology class. It’s a theory comprising a five-tier model of human needs, often depicted as hierarchical levels within a pyramid. I remember that safety/security is the second most important foundational layer. Where does that security come from in our daily lives? I believe it starts with the individual. However, there are limits on what we can do as individuals. As a society, the rule of law is the foundation for our security, and it’s the law enforcement agencies on the streets—and in the air— who do the actual work of enforcing those laws to protect us. [Read More...]



Tags: Defund the Police Refund the Police Rotor Pro
Categories: categoryOpinion-Editorial


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