I gave a CRM class at a helicopter air medical flight program recently and something occurred that reminded me why it’s imperative that pilots know their aircraft.
The incident happened when I was given a tour of the hospital’s aircraft by the program director and one of the pilots on duty who was a former Black Hawk pilot in the Army. The aircraft looked brand new and I could see it had everything a pilot could ask for to help them while flying in VMC or IMC conditions.
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My Two Cents Worth
Training toward your flight instructor (CFI) certificate is often a long and arduous process. Countless hours of curriculum development and practice gaining the skill sets to safely and effectively transfer knowledge to a future flock of fledgling aviators. The effort put forth to obtain the coveted CFI certificate is valuable. For many, this is their entry into the ranks of being a helicopter aficionado. Once the CFI is obtained, is retraining for the flight instructor valuable?
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Categories:
Rotorcraft Checkride
Looks like things in the GOM are still not settling down. With several oil company mergers/buyouts on the horizon, as well as another major helicopter operator teetering on the brink, it should make this summer an interesting time. Especially, if there is an active hurricane season.
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ROTORwrench
Over the past few years, we’ve seen an overwhelming number of helicopter pilots turn to the “dark side” …Airlines! The airline industry is experiencing a shortage of qualified aviators within their ranks and was in search of viable solutions. To the surprise of many, the airline industry took a hard look at expanding their longtime relationship with the US Military and found an almost untapped market in the helicopter pilot pool.
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Categories:
Rotorcraft Checkride
File this story under “Listen and learn from my experience”, posted on Maria Langer’s blog March 3,
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My Two Cents Worth
Helicopter shopping and false advertising were uncovered in a recent Survival Flight Bell 407 crash resulting in three fatalities in Vinton County, Ohio, on the morning of 29 January 2019 in snowy conditions. Pilot Jennifer L. Topper, 34, of Sunbury, Ohio, and flight nurses Bradley J. Haynes, 48, of London, Ohio, and Rachel L. Cunningham, 33, of Galloway, Ohio, lost their lives that morning.
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Categories:
My Two Cents Worth
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.
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Categories:
Rotorcraft Checkride
This past month, the 2019 Heli-Expo came to Altanta, GA and left. Haven’t heard much about it as it appeared to be rather low-key event this year. But from what I did hear it seems there’s a definite shift to Black Hawks and Chinooks in the utility arena.
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Categories:
ROTORwrench
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.
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Categories:
Rotorcraft Checkride
Things don’t appear to be getting any better in the GOM. With the current oil price stagnant and helicopter demand at historical lows, those affected may be in for a longer ride than expected.
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Categories:
ROTORwrench