swisspilot
Well-Known Member
What are the best readings to get started on heli knowledge, planning to do the Heli ADD-ON CPL this summer, I found a place with a good price...
Best heli knowledge readings?
- Thread starter swisspilot
- Start date
AviatorGator
Well-Known Member
I'm curious, where and for how much?
Jay Rogers
Member
You should read Cyclic and Collective. Complete book written to date on helicopters and helicopter flying.
hammerhat
Well-Known Member
Cyclic and Collective is awesome but I'd leave it until later. There's just too much information and you may get overwhelmed quickly.
I'd start with Principles of Helicopter Flight by Wagtendonk and then read Fatal Traps for Helicopter Pilots.
The RFH I won't recommend. I read it when I was working on my CFI and hated it. Tons of errors and inaccuracies, horrible explanations of important concepts etc. That was about 3 years ago, I heard they issued a new edition since then which I have not seen yet.
UPDATE: I quickly looked over the latest RFH edition and still recommend against using it as a primary text on helicopter flying.
I'd start with Principles of Helicopter Flight by Wagtendonk and then read Fatal Traps for Helicopter Pilots.
The RFH I won't recommend. I read it when I was working on my CFI and hated it. Tons of errors and inaccuracies, horrible explanations of important concepts etc. That was about 3 years ago, I heard they issued a new edition since then which I have not seen yet.
UPDATE: I quickly looked over the latest RFH edition and still recommend against using it as a primary text on helicopter flying.
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Jay Rogers
Member
Yes, I agree with you RFH edition is also good for heli knowledge.
AAPalmTree
Well-Known Member
Chickenhawk
Ian_J
Hubschrauber Flieger
Yes, but not his sequel.
Jean Howard
New Member
I had read a book "Cockpit Procedures" which I found very impressive & helpful.
Helodriver27
Well-Known Member
x2 for Principles of Helicopter Flight by Wagtendonk! Great book!
Also, the FAA has come out with the Helicopter Flying Handbook (HFH), to supercede the Rotorcraft Flying Handbook (RFH). Only information in RFH now that's still "legit" it the last bit on Gyrocopters.
Also, the FAA has come out with the Helicopter Flying Handbook (HFH), to supercede the Rotorcraft Flying Handbook (RFH). Only information in RFH now that's still "legit" it the last bit on Gyrocopters.
Andrew_Neal
Well-Known Member
Agree with everyone else. HFH.
and it's free.
https://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/handbooks_manuals/aviation/helicopter_flying_handbook/
and it's free.
https://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/handbooks_manuals/aviation/helicopter_flying_handbook/
deadstick
Well-Known Member
No kidding.
But let’s add—
The Art of Flying Helicopters
ADM for Helicopter Pilots (published by www.helicoptersonly.com)
FM 1-203 (of course) although I hear they deleted everything about autorotations
Dustoff
Low Level Hell
Or you can just tune in and watch Valor on CW.
Or if you can find reruns of Riptide...
dustoff17
Still trying to reach the Top Shelf
I like this list but had to prioritize!!No kidding.
But let’s add—
Dustoff
The Art of Flying Helicopters
ADM for Helicopter Pilots (published by www.helicoptersonly.com)
FM 1-203 (of course) although I hear they deleted everything about autorotations
Low Level Hell
Or you can just tune in and watch Valor on CW.
deadstick
Well-Known Member
I like this list but had to prioritize!!
The question was about “heli knowledge” not “heli bad-assery.” Funny story: I was sitting at the O Club bar at Mother enjoying a Black n Tan since it was the only place in lower AL I could get beer on tap. Anyhow, somebody sits on the stool next to me. I glance over and see this elderly gentleman, a stocky fellow about 5 ft and a bit, gray high n tight. “Aren’t you...?” We started talking. Mike Novosel was a fascinating chap — from B29s to the mighty UH1.
Fast forward 20-some-odd years. I’m with my wife and daughters in the American History Museum in DC. In the Vietnam section, we turn the corner and there’s a complete Huey. My wife had been in the Army and was familiar with the Blackhawk. She asked about the Huey questioning how robust it was. I started to tell her and the girls about the mission for which MN was nominated and received the Medal of Honor AND how I had a beer with him. No sooner did I finish, and we came across an other display. This one was of MoH recipients and right there was a picture and bio of Mike Novosel.
Just a PSA @swisspilot — you’d get skewered on other boards for using “heli”
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dustoff17
Still trying to reach the Top Shelf
Nice story. Reminds me of how old I am because I started out in the Huey...thanks.........
Reading about Novosel in the museum there and seeing the main street named after him, I had imagined that he was bigger than life! New to the WO Program and to flying, I think we were all a bit enamered by his name alone. I was abosolutely amazed at just how friendly and humble he was when I had the chance to meet and talk with him. Just an ordinary guy that performed in an extraordinary manner.
Reading about Novosel in the museum there and seeing the main street named after him, I had imagined that he was bigger than life! New to the WO Program and to flying, I think we were all a bit enamered by his name alone. I was abosolutely amazed at just how friendly and humble he was when I had the chance to meet and talk with him. Just an ordinary guy that performed in an extraordinary manner.
Andrew_Neal
Well-Known Member
Nice story. Reminds me of how old I am because I started out in the Huey...thanks.........
Reading about Novosel in the museum there and seeing the main street named after him, I had imagined that he was bigger than life! New to the WO Program and to flying, I think we were all a bit enamered by his name alone. I was abosolutely amazed at just how friendly and humble he was when I had the chance to meet and talk with him. Just an ordinary guy that performed in an extraordinary manner.
The UH-1N is what gave me the aviation bug. Started working on them in 2011.... deployed with them... the next year the USMC phased them out. Absolutely love that helicopter. The twin engine stab bar version.
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deadstick
Well-Known Member
I’m sure this is blasphemy in the hallowed halls of Mother Rucker, but the Marines did it right. With the last 40 years of funding used on the 60, 64, Comanche, etc, can you imagine the size of the Aviation Branch if they’d taken the same path as the Marines? Yes, I specifically excluded the 47 and 58.
We just had a West Coast Y/Z unit with a 22 pass through. Those are some impressive aircraft.
Andrew_Neal
Well-Known Member
Completely agree. Way off topic here but Sikorsky is actually slowly switching gears and becoming a "Marine Corps Company" so to speak. At this point all their doing for the army is "supporting", but no design.
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