On January 26th, 2020, an S76 helicopter collided with terrain killing all nine (9) passengers onboard. The weather at the time of the accident supported a theory that weather may have been a causal factor. All aircraft accidents are bad for the industry; however, this accident helicopter was carrying a high-profile passenger which brought international attention to the situation. The immediate question is why an extremely weather capable helicopter wasn’t transitioned to IFR in lieu of continued flight in less-than-VFR conditions.
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Rotorcraft Checkride
Last week, a helicopter student pilot was returning from a solo cross-country flight when the student accidentally entered Class D airspace without the required communication. Although entry into this airspace was planned as a part of the solo cross-country flight, the student miscalculated the position of the helicopter and was farther along than anticipated.
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Categories:
Rotorcraft Checkride
When I teach and facilitate my one-day crew resource management (CRM) course or my five-day CRM train-the-trainer course, attendees often find it difficult to bridge the gap between the human factors they learn to recognize in the course and actually putting their knowledge into practice in the real world to prevent an accident.
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Categories:
My Two Cents Worth
And here we are at the end of yet another year. Where does that proverbial time fly to?
Well, it looks like we’ll end the year on a more positive note from the GOM since both principal rotorcraft providers have emerged from Chapter 11 proceedings. While the new owners are their respective creditors, it will be interesting to see how their long legacies will play out in the future.
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Categories:
ROTORwrench
I recently read a troubling story on the Facebook page titled When Seconds Count. It was written by a concerned air medical pilot who recounted something the lead pilot had said in their weekly safety meeting. In regard to newly arrived uniform ball caps embroidered with the words “FLIGHT CREW” on the back strap, the lead pilot said, "You may be the medical crew, but according to the FAA, because you are not directly involved with the operation or safety of flight, you are not considered part of the flight crew."
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Categories:
My Two Cents Worth
As it seems I always have extra time on my hands since retiring, I tend to spend more time than I care to admit surfing the internet for interesting aviation stories. Here’s a couple.
The first is of an antenna replacement in Atlanta. Having worked in and around external lift ops at times, I’m still in awe of a good long-line crew. And this crew doesn’t disappoint.
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Categories:
ROTORwrench
While conducting a Private Pilot examination, the applicant advised me that a segmented autorotative descent would be conducted in lieu of a constant radius turn during the 180-degree autorotation maneuver. The reasoning for the applicant’s decision was a set of small towers in the middle of the airport and a more segmented profile would eliminate the issue. The applicant executed the maneuver with a high degree of skill. It was a beautiful thing!
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Categories:
Rotorcraft Checkride
I wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed your article in the May/June 2018 issue of Rotorcraft Pro entitled You are Safety’s Gatekeeper where you talk about the Liberty Helicopters’ FlyNYON aircraft that crashed in New York’s East River causing five people to lose their lives. This article struck home with me because I could personally relate as I am sure it did with many of my colleagues.
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Categories:
My Two Cents Worth
It looks like Airbus set another high altitude record. Last month, a H145 landed at 22,840 feet in the Andes Mountains. Having spent some time flying up in the mountains in various helicopters that is quite an achievement in a twin-engine, free-turbine aircraft. Congrats.
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Categories:
ROTORwrench
A couple weeks ago, I was conducting a Private Pilot examination in Texas. As we were approaching the airport returning from the cross-country phase of flight, we found ourselves in an area of light drizzle and rain. As the applicant entered the downwind leg, he began to reduce power. Almost immediately, the engine began to run rough and only got worse as the applicant reduced more power. I immediately engaged carburetor heat…problem solved!
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Categories:
Rotorcraft Checkride