The FAA requires all initial pilot certificate applicants (except ATP) to demonstrate cross-country proficiency during a practical test. The Practical Test Standard (PTS) Area of Operation identifying the proficiency to be demonstrated is titled “Navigation.” Tasks included within this section of the PTS are pilotage and dead reckoning, radio navigation and radar services, diversion, and lost procedures. This portion of the exam is intended to verify that the student has sufficient knowledge to fly a helicopter safely outside of his or her local flying area.
[Read More...]
Categories:
Rotorcraft Checkride
“The doctor told me I’d never walk again,” former Utah flight nurse Stein Rosqvist told the group with obvious emotion. “I saw that wheelchair being pushed towards me down the corridor and said, ‘That’s definitely not for me.’”
Through months of physical therapy by a nurse that would not permit him to say, “I can’t,” Stein walks today. His is just one of the stories I heard during the three-day digital story workshop I attended recently in Denver, Colorado.
[Read More...]
Categories:
My Two Cents Worth
Many years ago, a time period measured in more than a decade in fact, Ancient History, I was flying EMS Air Ambulance elsewhere, somewhere, on this Pale Blue Dot, and for a different employer than my present one. It was, as I look back on it, an almost surreal experience. Absurdity, tinged with amusement. The memories to this day make me feel a trifle weary. A need to shake the head, sadly. I don’t get it. I know I’m not terribly bright, and I guess my tiny spirit must just hum (or bumble along, the best it can) on an entirely different level. Better? Worse? That’s for others to assess. I think… I mean well. I KNOW… it seems to get me into endless trouble. As you will see.
[Read More...]
Categories:
Moggy's Musings
Last year, HAI President Matt Zuccaro pushed his safety message, “Land the Damn Helicopter,” reminding us that as a last resort when we’ve run out of options, we have the power to break a potential link in an error chain by simply landing.
Research into why helicopters crash isn’t statistically different than other segments of aviation. It is pretty much agreed worldwide that 80 percent of all aviation accidents have an element of human error. Crew resource management (CRM) training can save the day before we need to resort to landing the damn helicopter. CRM, if practiced religiously, will keep your good hands from taking you somewhere your mind hasn’t been.
[Read More...]
Categories:
My Two Cents Worth
Within the FAA’s practical test standard (PTS) for helicopters, the proficiency requirements to successfully demonstrate a running/roll-on landing are identified. They are seemingly simple: establish and maintain: a shallow approach angle, a proper rate of closure, and proper flight control technique after surface contact. The PTS wants us to talk about surface texture, height/velocity diagram, and factors affecting performance data, all really good topics. However, I’ve found a question that few applicants can answer: Why are we here?
[Read More...]
Categories:
Rotorcraft Checkride
This month we have two tips passed on by a couple of “old” guys. Also had a question if it mattered on model of helicopter. Nope. Any tip, on any helicopter, or engine, or component, or support item, or whatever helicopter related, will gladly be accepted for posting. From the Sikorsky R-4 to AW189. Nothing’s too old or too new. As you see below we have a tip on a Lama.
[Read More...]
Categories:
ROTORwrench
Throughout History, both recorded, and (thankfully) not, men have chosen to instruct men. And women. And, (I hasten to be poli-tickle-ally correct) women too have instructed men. (and mostly bent them to their iron will). Thus, the Art of Instruction is nothing new. Nor, we might add, are the foibles of Masters and Instructors…
[Read More...]
Categories:
Moggy's Musings
By the time I was four years old I knew I was going to be a pilot, and that was that—period. At four
[Read More...]
Categories:
My Two Cents Worth
In last October’s issue, we discussed time-critical reaction requirements during an unanticipated
[Read More...]
Categories:
Rotorcraft Checkride
Well, here’s the inaugural maintenance tip posting. I’ll start with one post per month from here out
[Read More...]
Categories:
ROTORwrench