Articles for tag Randy Rowles
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Jul
24
2022
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Posted by Admin
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The helicopter industry is quite resilient to the ebb and flow of issues such as the economy, disasters, and even global pandemics. Operators have developed strategic methods to continue producing revenue streams by diversifying their operations and having the ability to alter operational capabilities to match changing industry requirements. However, in today’s market, the single most detrimental operational limitation to an operator is the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
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Randy Rowles
Rotorcraft Checkride
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Rotorcraft Checkride
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Jun
26
2022
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Posted by Admin
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In recent years, the ability to find an expert within the helicopter field appears to have gotten easier. With every social media post of a helicopter related issue, so-called helicopter internet “experts” are full of detailed explanations. In many cases, details of an incident or accident are not even available, yet commentary inferring factual information about a helicopter-related event is often provided.
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Randy Rowles
Rotorcraft Checkride
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Rotorcraft Checkride
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May
19
2022
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Posted by Admin
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Over the past few years, the manner or methods in which helicopter instructors conduct training of certain flight maneuvers has changed. In many cases, recommendations from industry safety groups to include the United States Helicopter Safety Team (US-HST) utilize accident data to make recommendations to enhance safety during flight training. In addition, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will also provide updated information for their manuals to enhance safety. Most recently, the FAA updated the Helicopter Emergencies and Hazards section of the Helicopter Flying Handbook (FAA-H-8083-21) which now includes the Vuichard Recovery as a procedure to exit Vortex Ring State (VRS).
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Randy Rowles
Rotorcraft Checkride
Categories:
Rotorcraft Checkride
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Apr
25
2022
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Posted by Admin
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As I’m writing this column, I’m sitting in the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in Dallas, Texas. Today is the last day of HAI Heli-Expo 2022, and what a great show it was. The energy of Heli-Expo 2022 was amazing as people from around the globe descended upon Dallas to share experiences and gain insight into the new and exciting opportunities and equipment available in the industry today.
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Tags:
Randy Rowles
Rotorcraft Checkride
Categories:
Rotorcraft Checkride
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Mar
28
2022
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Posted by Admin
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A few weeks ago, I conducted an Initial Flight Instructor practical exam for an applicant that was less than proficient. When I say less than proficient, I mean well below the minimum standard of proficiency for this certificate and rating. Having been a designated pilot examiner for a couple decades now, this is far from my first applicant that didn’t meet the minimum standard for a certificate, but this exam did make me ask “how did this applicant make it this far in the FAA certification process?”.
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Randy Rowles
Rotorcraft Checkride
Categories:
Rotorcraft Checkride
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Feb
21
2022
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Posted by Admin
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Too often we hear of a family on a helicopter departing with a loved one at the controls. Somewhere along the route, they encounter poor weather conditions. A decision to press on into the deteriorating weather conditions is made. The flight ends with a family perishing in what has become a predictable outcome.
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Tags:
Randy Rowles
Rotorcraft Checkride
Categories:
Rotorcraft Checkride
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Jan
24
2022
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Posted by Admin
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I’ve found that most if not all new helicopter pilots have been taught to look outside when making turns, at least that’s what they want us to believe by the callouts they’re taught in training. It appears instructors are teaching to verbally state that your clear to the left, center, and right of the aircraft before making turns, but are they really completing the task?
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Randy Rowles
Rotorcraft Checkride
Categories:
Rotorcraft Checkride
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Dec
27
2021
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Posted by Admin
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Recently, I was conducting an FAA Helicopter Instrument Rating practical test in a Robinson R22 aircraft. To follow along with the applicant during the flight, I often use a commercially available navigation app on my smartphone to follow along for my own situational awareness. The fact this action is so commonplace in our lives can cause momentary complacency on properly securing the device for flight.
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Tags:
Randy Rowles
Rotorcraft Checkride
Categories:
Rotorcraft Checkride
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Nov
29
2021
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Posted by Admin
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To provide a path for a pilot holding a pilot certificate from another country to operate a U.S. registered aircraft, the FAA publishes Federal Aviation Regulation (FAR) 61.75. Within this FAR, a pilot can apply for and be issued a private pilot (PPL) certificate from the FAA, based upon their foreign pilot certificate. To receive this certification, no additional testing is required as long as the foreign pilot certificate is valid and the applicant meets minimum English speaking requirements of ICAO Level 4 proficiency.
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Tags:
Randy Rowles
Rotorcraft Checkride
Categories:
Rotorcraft Checkride
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Oct
25
2021
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Posted by Admin
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The ability to record video and capture awe-inspiring moments to share for many lifetimes to come has never been easier. The desire to capture such video evidence of our life experiences seems more exciting than the actual experience of living life itself. I too have peered through my phone’s screen to view an event that would happen only once in a lifetime thinking if my camera doesn’t capture the moment, it would be lost forever. Here’s a secret…often, the video doesn’t do the moment justice. Since you didn’t see it with your own eyes, the moment is truly lost.
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Tags:
Randy Rowles
Rotorcraft Checkride
Categories:
Rotorcraft Checkride