• Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • Instagram
  • Youtube
Helicopter Flight Training Sponsors
 Search

Archives

All Entries

 Search

Articles for category Rotorcraft Checkride




Apr
11
2019

Acceptable Risk - Calculation or Emotion?

Posted by Randy Rowles

As a child, the value of the risk we would incur doing an activity was often measured by the spectators involved. Jumping a bicycle over a ditch brought a certain amount of fear, however the broken arm received as a result of such an attempt was looked upon as a badge of honor. Even as children, we justified risk through our belief that we could do what others could not or would not do. [Read More...]



Categories: categoryRotorcraft Checkride



Mar
19
2019

Helicopter Operations…True Measure of Helicopter Safety?

Posted by Randy Rowles

Every month I receive a Monthly Accident Briefing from the Federal Aviation Administration. I find the information compelling and relevant to my role as a helicopter educator. The data is very well packaged supported by pie charts, diagrams, and links to actual helicopter accident reports that occurred during the current reporting period. [Read More...]



Categories: categoryRotorcraft Checkride



Feb
11
2019

Objective vs. Subjective Teaching….

Posted by Randy Rowles

It is common within flight instruction for the subject matter being presented to have a theme of “my instructor taught me this way.” Often, flight instructors only have the experience gained during their own training program to impart to their students. In many cases, this is acceptable; after all, it was [their] flight instructor that facilitated the learning process, thus an inference to an instructor’s methods when they received their training is normal. However, did their Instructor teach from an objective or subjective perspective? [Read More...]



Categories: categoryRotorcraft Checkride



Jan
13
2019

Rapid Deceleration or Rejected Takeoff…What’s the Difference?

Posted by Randy Rowles

While conducting an FAA Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) – Helicopter practical test, the applicant was given an emergency during the takeoff phase of flight. In lieu of conducting a Rejected Takeoff procedure, the applicant initiated a climb to 40’agl, maintained 40kts of airspeed, and announced the execution of a Quick Stop maneuver. When queried about the method by which the Rejected Takeoff was conducted, the applicant advised “that is how a Quick Stop is done”. Note: For the purpose of this article, Rapid Deceleration and Quick Stop will have the same meaning. [Read More...]



Categories: categoryRotorcraft Checkride



Dec
05
2018

The Confidence Cliff | When Experience Really Matters!

Posted by Randy Rowles

Within the dynamic realm of helicopter flight, exuberance and sometimes overconfidence fills the cockpit in the form of eager aviators. They are called helicopter pilots! Each day, helicopters perform missions that serve the public in a variety of ways: air medical, law enforcement, firefighting, and even tourism, just to name a few. Rotorcraft provide the ability to go places not usually accessible to the average person. Helicopter pilots often spend years learning their craft and gaining the experience required to conduct more complex, and often better paying, helicopter pilot jobs. However, the experience gained in hours may not accurately reflect the experience required in proficiency. [Read More...]



Categories: categoryRotorcraft Checkride



Nov
19
2018

Advanced Helicopter Training…Is It Safe?

Posted by Randy Rowles

I recently had the opportunity to conduct advanced helicopter training with a group of pilots from a large domestic helicopter company. The maneuvers consisted of touchdown autorotations, FADEC failures, tail-rotor malfunctions, and other various emergencies unique to the company’s mission segment. The training sessions were conducted during both day and night conditions. At night, all maneuvers are conducted while using Night Vision Goggles (NVG). [Read More...]



Categories: categoryRotorcraft Checkride



Oct
22
2018

U.S. Flight Training Offers Opportunities For The World

Posted by Randy Rowles

I’ve been privileged to fly in different countries around the world. You gain a perspective on the good, bad, and ugly of our aviation system here in the United States. With that said, I haven’t been anywhere outside of the U.S. where opportunity for all citizens to experience aviation is more available than here in the States. You are not excluded from aviation, because of your gender, race, ethnicity, religion, or any other differentiating factor. Additionally, many physically challenged persons find themselves successful in aviation as well. [Read More...]



Categories: categoryRotorcraft Checkride



Sep
17
2018

Southern Airways of Texas, Inc…Where It All Began!

Posted by Randy Rowles

In early September 2018, I attended the Southern Airways of Texas, Inc. Annual Reunion in Mineral Wells, Texas. Southern Airways of Texas, Inc. held the government contract to train the helicopter pilots who would fly and fight in the Vietnam War. More affectionately known as Southern Airways, they conducted pilot training at the U.S. Army Primary Helicopter School located at Fort Wolters, Texas from 1956 to 1973. [Read More...]



Categories: categoryRotorcraft Checkride



Aug
15
2018

The Perfect Pilot Job Candidate?

Posted by Randy Rowles

A few months ago, a company advertised for a wildlife helicopter pilot to fly in support of wildlife research operations. In addition to having extensive helicopter pilot experience within the utility segment, they were equally searching for an applicant with a love for the outdoors including fishing, hunting, etc. For the right applicant, this would be a fantastic opportunity. [Read More...]



Categories: categoryRotorcraft Checkride



Jul
20
2018

It’s a Helicopter…What More Do I Need to Know?

Posted by Randy Rowles

For me, my career in helicopters began with a keen interest in understanding how a helicopter worked. I wanted to know how did it fly? How did the rotor blades stay fixed to the aircraft while turning so rapidly? These questions were only a few of the points that made helicopter flight turn from interest to passion in my life. My story isn’t unique among the helicopter family. As a matter of fact, its relatively common place to hear such stories. However, many of the up-and-coming helicopter enthusiasts today lack interest in the machine; a fact that may lead to a deadly form of boredom known as complacency! [Read More...]



Categories: categoryRotorcraft Checkride


1 ... 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11