Author: Admin
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Nov
18
2024
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Posted by Admin
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Army aviation maintenance technician (AMT) veteran, Cole Hokanson, says he is “Quite literally living the dream, working with my hands fixing helicopters, with an office view consisting of a wide open hangar door overlooking forest covered mountains, while living on a 50-acre rural property and spending quality time with my family.” Cole is currently an A&P mechanic for HAA company Air Evac Lifeteam, and he makes over $80,000 a year with a 401K and excellent vacation and health benefits. He landed this dream job after using the military’s JSAMTCC program to obtain his FAA airframe and powerplant (A&P) certificate.
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Mil2Civ
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Oct
25
2024
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Posted by Admin
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It's not exactly the ideal order, and it may sound a bit comical, considering we know the correct order if we want any level of success in hitting our "target." But sadly, all of us have fallen prey to getting ahead of ourselves, leaving out essential details and failing to "aim" on the critical information when we need it to count the most, like taking aim and accomplishing something crucial like successfully passing a practical exam.
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Checkride
Matt Johnson
Rotorcraft Checkride
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Rotorcraft Checkride
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Oct
25
2024
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Posted by Admin
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As I sat at my desk on 27 August contemplating what to write for this month’s article, I received news that two Delta Airline mechanics had died, and one mechanic was severely injured in the shop when a tire exploded. What a tragic accident and my heart goes out to their families and to the Delta family. This accident hit close to home and it got me thinking about how dangerous the career field we have chosen can be at times.
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Maintenance Minute
Mark Tyler
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Maintenance Minute
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Oct
25
2024
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Posted by Admin
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The aviation industry has consistently been a beacon of technological innovation that leads to greater safety, efficiency, and capabilities in air travel. Helicopter aviation, a crucial branch of this industry, is now experiencing a profound transformation thanks to artificial intelligence (AI). From predictive maintenance to autonomous navigation, AI is revolutionizing operations in ways that would have been considered science fiction only a decade ago.
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My 2 Cents Worth
Randy Rowles
Categories:
My Two Cents Worth
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Sep
23
2024
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Posted by Admin
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In the helicopter pilot training world, simulators can arguably be described as priceless assets, but for many, they remain a hidden treasure waiting to be discovered. These systems offer a safe, controlled environment for pilots to hone their skills, practice emergency procedures, and enhance aeronautical decision-making without exposure to the risks of in-aircraft flight training.
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Safety First
VAST
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Sep
23
2024
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Posted by Admin
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The responsibility for staying safe in the workplace rests with each individual…especially those who work in a dangerous environment. Yes, the company has rules and regulations, policies and procedures but if we don’t adhere to them what good are they? If we choose not to wear hearing protection, should we complain when our hearing suffers? Should someone be required to tell us to wear PPE when it’s provided, and the expectation is for us to wear it? Why do we put off required safety training until the last minute? Why is safety training treated like just something we must comply with year after year?
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Maintenance Minute
Mark Tyler
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Maintenance Minute
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Aug
29
2024
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Posted by Admin
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Yes, I’m dropping a little French on you. For the first time since I took over this column nearly two years ago, I am writing a “Part Two” to follow up on my last issue’s column. I feel this topic is that important.
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Matt Johnson
Rotorcraft Checkride
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Rotorcraft Checkride
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Aug
29
2024
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Posted by Admin
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About a year ago, I was conducting pilot training for a Part 135 company, which was a relatively new customer. Prior to FAA approval to conduct this training, I conducted a review of their Part 135 training program to determine their differences from our training. Most often, a VFR Part 135 helicopter operators training program is going to be quite like another. Of course, some differences will always exist. The question is whether those differences require additional training and checking.
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My Two Cents Worth
Randy Rowles
Categories:
My Two Cents Worth
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Aug
29
2024
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Posted by Admin
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When I was growing up it was common for people to work for the same company for an entire career. Today people seem to come and go from jobs as fast as a spinning tail rotor. The decision to invest in young inexperienced mechanics is sometimes met with opposition when history shows they will not hesitate to move on to the next shiny thing.
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Maintenance Minute
Mark Tyler
Categories:
Maintenance Minute
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Aug
26
2024
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Posted by Admin
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When I was commissioned as an officer in the Marines, I had no intention of staying in beyond the required time commitment that I had to fulfill, but life as a Cobra helicopter pilot grew on me. Supporting our Marines on the ground was an awesome responsibility and one that we all took quite seriously. The military provides great training, support and mission focus – an entire system that we take for granted at times. I had no plans to continue flying post-service, but time and space aligned. I was not only able to stay in the cockpit, but to do so in another model of Cobra that was retrofitted for firefighting operations. I got to do nearly the same job without being shot at! Was I fully prepared to make the transition? In my mind, I was more than ready to leave “Big Green” behind and take on this challenging new mission, but there was a lot more luck than planning. What I would like to offer are just a couple points that may require less luck and for you as you make your transition in a more thoughtful and intentional way.
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Mil2Civ