Articles for tag My Two Cents Worth
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Aug
31
2026
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Posted by Admin
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As the helicopter emergency medical services community prepares to gather in Fort Worth, Texas, for this year's Air Medical Transport Conference (AMTC), the industry's attention will naturally focus on improving safety, maintaining operational readiness, controlling costs, and developing the next generation of professional helicopter pilots. Those discussions also present an opportunity to revisit an FAA authorized training option that has existed for years, yet remains largely overlooked by many Part 135 operators. The purpose of this article is not to advocate for one training provider over another, but to encourage discussion about a regulatory pathway that can help operators reduce administrative burden, improve flexibility, and maintain the uncompromising commitment to pilot proficiency that defines our industry.
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My Two Cents Worth
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My Two Cents Worth
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Nov
10
2025
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Posted by Admin
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When a pilot applies for or renews an FAA medical certificate, he or she must complete FAA Form 8500-8, also known as MedXPress, certifying that all responses are true and complete. Under 14 C.F.R. § 61.59, any fraud, intentional falsification, or material omission in this application can serve as grounds for suspending or revoking any airman certificate. One of the most consequential areas of disclosure relates to question 18.y; it asks whether the applicant has ever received medical disability benefits. Although the form does not explicitly say “VA benefits,” omission of Veterans Affairs disability benefits—or the underlying conditions tied to them—has triggered numerous FAA enforcement actions. If the agency determines that the omission was material, it can be treated as intentional falsification and lead to certificate revocation, even in cases where the pilot maintains the omission was inadvertent.
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My Two Cents Worth
Randy Rowles
Categories:
My Two Cents Worth
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Jul
07
2025
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Posted by Admin
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A couple of months ago, I made a short post on LinkedIn. It was just a few honest words about where I came from and what still weighs heavy on my heart. I didn’t write it for attention; I wrote it because I needed to say it. Since then, I’ve been asked to release this narrative more broadly in Rotor Pro. I’ve agreed because I believe these words need to be heard.
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My Two Cents Worth
Randy Rowles
Categories:
My Two Cents Worth
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May
05
2025
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Posted by Admin
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The vertical-lift industry has experienced a profound transformation over the past several decades, particularly in the areas of pilot and mechanic training and hiring. From a system once dominated by military influence, to one now driven by civilian training pipelines, the evolution has been shaped by shifts in global defense structures, advancements in aircraft technology, and changes in economic incentives within industry.
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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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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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Tags:
My Two Cents Worth
Randy Rowles
Categories:
My Two Cents Worth
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Jun
26
2024
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Posted by Admin
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In 1997, I was a relatively new FAA Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE) in the South Florida FAA District Office. On a beautiful Saturday in December, I was asked to complete an FAA private pilot added-rating exam for an applicant at a helicopter flight school at the Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport (FXE). As I had done many exams for this school, there was nothing unique about this day. At least, that was my thoughts prior to my arrival.
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My Two Cents Worth
Randy Rowles
Categories:
My Two Cents Worth
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Apr
29
2024
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Posted by Admin
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As the quality and cost of flight simulation decreases, the regulatory limitations on its use within the flight training industry remain stagnant. Looking much like it did decades ago, the credits offered on the use of simulation provide very little in the way of aeronautical decision-making (ADM) and focus on simulation versus flight-hour credits on limited aircraft-based maneuvers. Does this maneuver, credit-based simulation model truly capture the capabilities of the flight training simulation available today?
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My Two Cents Worth
Randy Rowles
Categories:
My Two Cents Worth
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Feb
23
2024
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Posted by Admin
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The introduction of radar (also known as radio) altimeters to the helicopter industry began as a highly accurate tool to validate actual height above ground during Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) flight operations. Like the fixed wing world, a helicopter being flown on an IFR approach needs accurate information on height above ground to continue to a safe landing.
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Tags:
My Two Cents Worth
Randy Rowles
Categories:
My Two Cents Worth
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Aug
28
2023
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Posted by Admin
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Many facets of our lives, both personal and professional, changed during the COVID-19 pandemic. One significant entity within the aviation industry, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), took great strides in protecting their staff by providing a path for most FAA employees to work from home. During the pandemic, connecting with an FAA staff member once the communication process was developed and released seemed to be simple and functional. As an operator, we were pleasantly surprised by the expeditious email and phone call returns that were occurring in this new FAA work-from-home world, but this was all about to change.
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Tags:
My Two Cents Worth
Randy Rowles
Categories:
My Two Cents Worth
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Jun
26
2023
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Posted by Admin
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For many of us, the daily grind of life presents a real struggle. Not because it’s hot outside or the work we do is exhausting. It’s because of battles being fought within us outside of the public eye. For some, these battles started many years ago and continue to influence day-to-day behaviors and thoughts. People are affected by events and life experiences and react to them in different ways. I believe that you can only truly understand someone when you know and understand their past.
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Tags:
My Two Cents Worth
Randy Rowles
Categories:
My Two Cents Worth