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Jul
24
2022
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Posted by Admin
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When you hear the acronym FOD, what is your first thought? Do you hear it as Foreign Object Damage or Foreign Object Debris? Either is correct depending on when it is found. Debris is certainly the preferred option as finding the foreign object before it can cause damage is optimal.
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Maintenance Minute
Mark Tyler
Categories:
Maintenance Minute
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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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Let me pass along to you an important tip: Listen to a pilot you are replacing; if a pilot quits a job you’ve just accepted and tells you, “Hey man, the machine’s unsafe,” or “This is an unsafe operation.” Believe them.
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Tags:
My Two Cents Worth
Randy Mains
Categories:
My Two Cents Worth
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Jun
26
2022
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Posted by Admin
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As helicopter owners, pilots, and mechanics we must consistently be advocates for safety and always meet or exceed the standards. Personal safety and prevention of equipment damage are of utmost importance. The number one concern in the aviation business today is the rising cost of insurance. The rapid rise in insurance is directly due to injuries and equipment damaged. So, how do we mitigate the risk thereby decreasing premiums? Here are some simple and basic measures that will aid your flight and maintenance operations in keeping safety as the top priority.
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Maintenance Minute
Mark Tyler
Categories:
Maintenance Minute
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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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Hello Randy, quick question if I may. I’m formerly the Director of Safety at MercyFlight in Central NY (Rochester/Syracuse), now I’m doing my Multi-Commercial fixed wing and CFI’s in Daytona Beach. My old program is going to be replacing 4 legacy BK-117's with new single engine IFR Leonardo 119's. They will be phasing in the 4 new ships over a year to 18 months. Is there a standard for when new platform training should occur so it isn't too far away from delivery ? The concern is having crew take the training and have too much time pass. It's common sense to do it close to delivery, just curious if there were any best practice documents, thesis, etc. that may have addressed the question.
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Tags:
My Two Cents Worth
Randy Mains
Categories:
My Two Cents Worth
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May
19
2022
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Posted by Admin
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As an avid bowhunter, I tend to practice on targets to improve my aim. My granddaughter enjoys archery and often will practice with me. I consistently try to improve my arrow grouping. If I am to tighten the arrow group, I must pay attention to the little things. Consistent attention to the basic mechanics such as shooting position, anchor point, target concentration and release will pay huge dividends when the time comes to make the shot on the perfect deer.
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Maintenance Minute
Mark Tyler
Categories:
Maintenance Minute
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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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Helicopter pilot flight training can be hazardous for reasons I will highlight in this article. I’ve been a flight instructor in the military, a senior instructor for Bell Helicopter in Iran teaching pilots how to be instructor pilots, an instructor and a flight examiner for 13 years while working for the Royal Police Air Wing in the Sultanate of Oman, and a type-rating instructor and type-rating examiner in the Bell 412EP and Bell 212 while working for Abu Dhabi Aviation. While in Abu Dhabi, I trained and examined airline transport pilots hailing from more than 20 countries. In my 13,000-hour flying career, I have developed habits I use while training that I pass along to you to, hopefully, keep you safe.
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Tags:
My Two Cents
Randy Mains
Categories:
My Two Cents Worth
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Apr
25
2022
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Posted by Admin
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Growing up in the Deep South often meant when you turned 16 years old you went to work in the cotton mill, which was true for me. My mom, dad and sister all worked for the local cotton mill in one capacity or another. That wasn’t a bad thing. The mill provided dependable jobs for our community and had other benefits as well…company paid retirement and a company provided vacation destination with housing if desired.
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Tags:
Maintenance Minute
Mark Tyler
Categories:
Maintenance Minute