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Aug
15
2013
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Posted by Admin
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RPMN: Tell me about your first flight.
My first flight was in an R-22 in beautiful Bend, Oregon. I remember walking out to the helipad and being in utter shock at the size of these tiny helicopters! After working as mechanic and flying as aircrew on MH60-Jayhawk helicopters in the Coast Guard for seven years, the downsize was truly astounding. However, I was completely charmed… that is, until I found out I had to carry a cushion just to reach the yaw pedals. Needless to say, my ‘glory’ moment was comically diminished.
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Categories:
Human Interest
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Aug
02
2013
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Posted by Admin
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On October 5, 2005, I was paired up with Parry Jameson in one of our patrol helicopters. It was a Wednesday afternoon, around 3:00. It was time for us to wind down and hand the baton to the night shift.
On our way back, Parry and I noticed that we were a little low on fuel. We were almost over our base at Gillespie Field in El Cajon, getting ready to land, when we got a radio call.
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Categories:
Human Interest
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Jul
26
2013
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Posted by Admin
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There is an old aviation axiom that goes like this: How do you make a million dollars in aviation? Answer: Start out with two million dollars!
It doesn’t matter if you have designs on becoming a pilot, mechanic, or business owner, the aviation industry can be very unforgiving. There is virtually nothing easy about being successful, especially in the rough and tumble world of flight training. Inject a helicopter into the equation and your “difficulty factor” goes up exponentially.
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Categories:
Company Profiles
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Jul
18
2013
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Posted by Admin
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Flying the V-22 Osprey is a dream I could not have imagined happening in my lifetime. However, through a serendipitous meeting with Dr. Kevin Hutton, CEO of MedEvac Foundation International (the organization that sponsored me to be the keynote speaker at the Association of Air Medical Services, Air Medical Transport Conference) Kevin said he could arrange for me to ‘fly’ the Osprey simulator. It was an invitation too good to pass up.
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Categories:
Human Interest
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Jul
11
2013
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Posted by Admin
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RPMN: How did you get started transporting helicopters?
WARGO: Well the first airframe I, myself, transported was my sailplane. I’d land out; we’d put it on a trailer and bring it back to the airport. But as far as H. W. Farren goes, I started work here in 1989. We moved big machinery back then; we didn’t really specialize in helicopter transport.
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Categories:
Human Interest
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Jul
05
2013
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Posted by Admin
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When I was a kid, my mom always had a ready supply of catchy “wisdoms” that fit every occasion, and even future occasions. A few of my favorites were: “Make sure you wear clean underwear in case you need to go to the emergency room,” “That won’t last as long as a fart in a whirlwind,” and “Beauty is only skin deep, but ugly is to the bone.” However, the one I still reflect upon to this day is “Watch your pennies and your dollars will take care of themselves.”
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Categories:
Company Profiles
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Jun
28
2013
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Posted by Admin
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Badly thought-out ergonomics nearly got me killed in January 1969. As you may know, a segment of flight safety called ergonomics is the study of designing equipment and devices in the cockpit that fit the human body. The incident occurred three months into my one-year tour as a UH-1H Huey pilot in Vietnam. Ironically, it was my first real close brush with death over there, ironic because it didn’t come at the hand of a V.C. with an AK-47, or from an RPG (rocket-propelled grenade). Instead, I nearly lost my life at the hand of the company instructor pilot who was checking me out in the Bell 205 while giving me my aircraft commander check ride.
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Categories:
Human Interest
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Jun
20
2013
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Posted by Admin
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This week, from the Paris Airshow, Bell Helicopter announced its return to the short light single (SLS) engine helicopter market with a new product designed to specifications based on the input of a customer advisory council. Bell Helicopter’s new, five-seat entry-level aircraft is expected to complete its first flight in 2014 with certification to follow as quickly as possible.
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Categories:
Special Announcements
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Jun
06
2013
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Posted by Admin
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It was a week after Coast Guard Commandant Admiral Bob Papp had given his “State of the Coast Guard” address. Capt. Joseph P. Kelly, commanding officer of Air Station Elizabeth City, had set aside an afternoon for all-hands training to watch the speech and reflect on themes from the address.
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Categories:
Helicopter Sectors
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May
31
2013
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Posted by Admin
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Schmoozing. Brown-nosing. Unfortunately, networking is often thought of as one of these less than flattering activities. I encourage you to think again. Embracing the true concept of networking could be the vital link to your desired career opportunity.
[Read More...]
Categories:
Career Development