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.
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My Two Cents Worth
The world’s last flying Bristol 171 Sycamore helicopter will return home to Weston-super-Mare this month when it flies to the Helicopter Museum; 60 years after it was built. The historic aircraft land at the museum on Monday 11 June and be based in its Duke of Edinburgh Hangar until Sunday 24 June. It will be the UK’s first Sycamore flight in 46 years.
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ROTORwrench
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.
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Rotorcraft Checkride
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.”
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My Two Cents Worth
Last year for my August blog topic I discussed tool FOD. And the same for this August. However, this time I found some examples that drive the point home. Of all the things we can do as mechanics, when working on aircraft, is to ensure we, as a group, return all our tools back to their respective toolboxes.
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Categories:
ROTORwrench
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.
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Categories:
Rotorcraft Checkride
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?
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Categories:
My Two Cents Worth
Last month’s tip, the one concerning the Alouette III brakes, left me feeling less than satisfied. There is another brakes-related accident I want to describe along with some other comments to emphasize the importance of airworthy brakes.
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Categories:
ROTORwrench
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!
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Categories:
Rotorcraft Checkride
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.
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Categories:
My Two Cents Worth