Articles for category Rotorcraft Checkride
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Nov
28
2022
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Posted by Admin
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When Lyn Burks approached me with the opportunity to develop a column in Rotorcraft Pro magazine titled Rotorcraft Checkride, I really wasn’t sure if I was the right person for the job. My initial thought was to pass on the opportunity and allow a much better writer to handle the task. Lyn assured me that he had confidence in my ability to engage their readership in a meaningful manner and so I accepted his offer. Here we are 8 years later and I’m sad to say it’s time to pass the torch.
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Randy Mains
Rotorcraft Checkride
Categories:
Rotorcraft Checkride
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Oct
24
2022
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Posted by Admin
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As the pilot shortage becomes more of an issue within all segments of aviation, an increasing number of pilots that have not flown in several years are returning to the flight deck. One such group that is reentering the pilot fold are former military aviators. In some cases, these pilots left the military and did not obtain Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) pilot certificates prior to discharging from their military service.
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Randy Rowles
Rotorcraft Checkride
Categories:
Rotorcraft Checkride
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Sep
26
2022
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Posted by Admin
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As the proud owner of a 1940 Piper Cub, I enjoy flying an aircraft that takes me back in time. From the moment I see that bright, yellow beauty, I’m encapsulated in an era when flying was a peaceful get away to a privileged few. Of course, my flight activities in my Cub are now conducted among more modern and better performing aircraft. Could the disparity of performance and regulatory allowance between my Cub and other aircraft create a potential safety hazard?
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Randy Rowles
Rotorcraft Checkride
Categories:
Rotorcraft Checkride
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Aug
26
2022
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Posted by Admin
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As a Part 135 operator, much flexibility is given to develop an FAA approved training program specific to that operator. Although there are national norms related to the amount of training time an operator may spend on ground or flight training modules, the modules themselves are well defined. Where the flexibility exists is in the standard of the maneuvers flown with the FAA Practical Test Standards (PTS) often used as a minimum. In cases where an operator desires a different outcome for a maneuver in a more restrictive manner, this may be included into the FAA approved training program for that specific operator.
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Randy Rowles
Rotorcraft Checkride
Categories:
Rotorcraft Checkride
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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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Tags:
Randy Rowles
Rotorcraft Checkride
Categories:
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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Tags:
Randy Rowles
Rotorcraft Checkride
Categories:
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