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Sep
20
2012
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Posted by Admin
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How’s this for an observation? On a global scale the USA is not a role model for HEMS even though the commercial concept of a helicopter air ambulance began right here in America. Does that shock you? It shouldn’t if you’ve watched over the years as I have the appalling accident rate the industry has suffered over a third of a century.
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Sep
13
2012
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Posted by Admin
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The helicopter pilot works in an amazing, ever-changing environment. The skills necessary to accomplish the task at hand for most commercial or even private helicopter flight operations require a high level of concentration, ability and finesse just to name a few. (social skills excluded)
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Categories:
Safety
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Sep
07
2012
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Posted by Admin
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I’m not sure I remember my first flight, I grew up flying with my father who was a pilot for Ford Motor Company. We flew fast freight out of Detroit in the mid-60’s and early 70’s with one of his friend’s cargo companies, so he was able to share his love of aviation with my brother and me. My first Army helicopter flight in training was an interesting exercise made up of two components. One, how much of a huge field I could try to crash in while, two, at the same time trying to keep the shiny side up.
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Categories:
Human Interest
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Aug
31
2012
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Posted by Admin
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It was getting late in the afternoon and I had just finished a days flying in Key West, Florida. It had been one of those strange, hazy gray, overcast, blustery days, with the wind steady out of the east at 15 – 20 knots. It looked like it wanted to storm any minute, but never really did with the exception of an occasional spit of rain here and there.
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Categories:
Safety
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Aug
24
2012
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Posted by Admin
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My Two Cents Worth - The Importance of AttitudeBy Randy MainsA story highlighting the importance of
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Categories:
Special Announcements
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Aug
17
2012
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Posted by Admin
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Rotorcraft Pro: How did you get your start in helicopters?
In the US Army, I started in 1964 in Vietnam. But my dad was a pilot for Eastern Airlines, and we lived in Connecticut near Bradley field which is where some of the early Sikorsky and Kaman helicopter test facilities were located. I grew up watching those helicopters being tested.
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Categories:
Human Interest
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Aug
10
2012
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Posted by Admin
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“Careful! Easy now!” The voice of the anxious shop foreman called out as he directed the crane operator loading a Bell 222B onto a flatbed trailer for the start of a long journey from Phoenix, Arizona to Johannesburg, South Africa.
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Categories:
Helicopter Sectors
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Aug
03
2012
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Posted by Admin
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Birds are a severe danger for pilots. Especially when flying at low altitudes with high speed – a profile that is typical for helicopter flights.. What can be done to prevent strikes and to save lives and costs?
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Categories:
Safety
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Jul
26
2012
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Posted by Admin
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Three years ago, I wrote an article entitled “The State of the Used Robinson Helicopter Market.” At that time, the factory was laying off workers and holding a huge inventory of cancelled orders, and the used market was severely depressed. Anyone who has lived through a recession knows that the economy is cyclical. However, at that time, it was very difficult to see the light at the end of the tunnel.
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Categories:
Helicopter Sectors
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Jul
20
2012
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Posted by Admin
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As many of you know, I am passionate about safety and unreasonable regulatory and political initiatives, but I thought it might be nice to discuss my other passion — the people that make up this great industry of ours. Besides, if I think about regulations, legislation, politics, and life inside the Beltway too much, my head hurts, my stomach aches, and my brain turns to mush.
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