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Articles for category My Two Cents Worth




Mar
14
2019

Reader Follow Up to “Now I know What My Dog’s Thinking” article

Posted by Randy Mains

Initial training at the start of my airline career, after active duty with the Marines, flying both rotor and fixed wing, was performed in-aircraft in a Saab SF-340A. The Saab had a full glass cockpit at a time when most airliners still had steam gauges. My training partner, who had a USCG background, both rotor and fixed wing as well, and corporate flying was having trouble with the transition to glass instruments. After several less-than-satisfactory flights, during a study session, he asked me how to determine which way the aircraft was turning. I was shocked that he still looked at the instruments like your dog watching TV. He didn’t make it through training. [Read More...]



Categories: categoryMy Two Cents Worth



Feb
11
2019

Plato's Cave

Posted by Randy Mains

I attended the U.S. Helicopter Safety Team (USHST) HAI Symposium held at Heli-Expo in Louisville entitled “Safety and the Bottom Line” and learned that in the team’s accident analysis it was revealed that 84% of accidents included a Standard Problem Statement of “Pilot Judgment & Actions.” Good crew resource management practices seemingly would ‘cure’ that malady. So why haven’t they? The answer lies in Plato’s Cave. [Read More...]



Categories: categoryMy Two Cents Worth



Jan
08
2019

Are we considered acceptable loss?

Posted by Randy Mains

Dan Foulds, owner and lead instructor at AMRM Training Solutions and a board member with the National EMS Pilot’s Association posted a valid question on Facebook. His observation came following the tragic air medical accident in Wisconsin on the 26th of April where 3 people lost their lives in a tour helicopter. Here’s what he said, [Read More...]



Categories: categoryMy Two Cents Worth



Dec
05
2018

Now I know what my Dog's Thinking

Posted by Randy Mains

When operating an aircraft with the latest glass cockpit technology a common observation is: “Now I know what my dog’s thinking when he watches TV.” There’s another common comment as well, “What’s it doing now?” [Read More...]



Categories: categoryMy Two Cents Worth



Nov
19
2018

To Become A Writer

Posted by Randy Mains

Are you interested in becoming a writer? A young helicopter pilot by the name of Taylor heard me speak at Helisuccess in Las Vegas and sent me an email saying he, too, had an interest in writing and wanted to know what the writing process was like for me, what was the tipping point where I decided to write and WHY. Here is my answer to him. [Read More...]



Categories: categoryMy Two Cents Worth



Oct
22
2018

Crock in Our Boat

Posted by Randy Mains

Crew Resource Management (CRM) gives us the tools to make safe, prudent decisions; it’s something I wish I’d had while flying a JetRanger on a seismic survey contract in Papua New Guinea. Knowing what could hurt me would have prevented my nearly being eaten by a huge crocodile. [Read More...]



Categories: categoryMy Two Cents Worth



Sep
17
2018

Email from a reader regarding commercial pressure

Posted by Randy Mains

Hello Sir, we met a few years ago in Las Vegas when you spoke at Helisuccess and I have been a follower of your teachings ever since. One aspect of your most recent post regarding scud running with the R-44 video raised a nagging question for me. As a very conservative pilot, who has spent most of my time in the wire environment, I have discovered that the error chain starts way before the pilot enters the cockpit. It appears that many chief pilots or managers publicly preach safety, but when it comes down to the brass tacks, they often chastise their pilots who have the maturity to just say "No" often bending or do not follow their own Safety Management System, SMS and Standard SOP manuals and instead tell their pilots – “You should have at least given it a try.” [Read More...]



Categories: categoryMy Two Cents Worth



Aug
15
2018

Best Unit in the World

Posted by Randy Mains

A gentleman on my professional Facebook page, claimed a certain unit was “the best aviation unit in the world.” While we pilots often make strong claims, I got to thinking: What criteria would qualify a unit to be considered one of the best in the world? [Read More...]



Categories: categoryMy Two Cents Worth



Jul
20
2018

Flight Nurse's Quote

Posted by Randy Mains

On the 13th of June flight nurse Jonathan Godfrey, posted the following missive on his Facebook page. Jonathan is an air medical helicopter crash survivor and stanch air medical safety advocate in the industry. His post serves to remind others in the business to stay vigilant and not to be lulled into a sense of complacency. What he so eloquently says in his message is worthy to be reposted here for his observations apply to anyone in our business. Here is what Jonathan said. [Read More...]



Categories: categoryMy Two Cents Worth



Jun
18
2018

You are Safety’s Gatekeeper!

Posted by Randy Mains

It’s tragic when several pilots point out safety concerns to management, nothing is done to remedy the problem, and people lose their lives because the problem was not addressed. A possible example occurred on 11 March 2018 when a Liberty Helicopters’ FlyNYON aircraft crashed in New York’s East River causing five people to lose their lives by drowning. Details in a New York Times article on the tragedy stated: “Pilots for the company that operated the flight warned their bosses about dangerous conditions, including equipment that could make escape difficult.” [Read More...]



Categories: categoryMy Two Cents Worth


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