Rotor training soon

CaliforniaSurfer

CaliforniaSurfer

Well-Known Member
Hey guys, I was a regular around here for a while back in 2000-2003ish. I went to a "zero to hero" at a program in California aiming for the airlines. Worked as a CFI/CFII/MEI for two years, but the airline thing did not workout as planned. A blessing in disguise, looking back.

Got into the LE game worked the streets for a while, then made my way into the Air Support Unit as a TFO. Just got selected for a pilot spot. Super excited and also super nervous...haha.

Been able to shoot a few approaches and hover in the AStarB2 with our Chief Pilot, but will be doing all my training in the R22. Yikes.

Words of wisdom? What to expect?

Thanks boys
 
The Robbie is a LOT more sensitive ... :D

Look in SFAR 73 (to Part 61) to get an idea of the training restrictions for the R22 (and R44). Despite what you read in some places, the Robbie is a good trainer. Where (what school) will you be flying?
 
Take every chance you can to hover. Even if your only repositioning going from on the ground stable to 5 foot hover and getting that perfect transition trained in your hands will do more for your skill set than approaches. Approaches will fool you because once your above ETL a helicopter isnt really that much different than the planes your used to flying just with a collective instead of a throttle. It will frustrate the hell out of you but that tiny precision flying of holding 3 feet vs bouncing between 3-4 feet in your hover will turn you into a better helicopter pilot.

It is in the hover where all your concentration is on holding that perfect point in space that you develop the muscle memory to do things in the air without rolling/turning/diving/etc the helicopter when you reach over to do task X, Y, and Z.
 
CaliforniaSurfer said:
..............................Words of wisdom? What to expect?

Thanks boys
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If you're wanting the "BOYS" to reply, you'll need to post this in the airplane thread. There are no "boys" in helicopters. :)

Wish I could claim this but @MikeD stated it best:

MikeD said:
Unlike airplanes, helicopters simply have a death wish, wanting to commit suicide at all times, and waiting for the right moment when the pilot isn't paying attention, so they can take you with them. It's nothing personal.......for they do warn you beforehand: The helicopter does in fact talk to you at all times. But woe be the pilot who 1. Doesn't listen to what the helicopter is telling him (complacency), or 2. Doesn't fully understand the language the helicopter is speaking (inexperience); for the helicopter will interpert both of these failures to listen to it, as a pilot who also has a suicidal death wish same as the helicopter, and who gladly wants to share with the helicopter a double-suicide fate. A fate the helicopter is more than happy to accomodate. And the helicopter is, and has always been, equal opportunity in this regard; for it harbors no hatred, holds no personal grudges, and does not discriminate in any way, shape, or form.

Helicopters have no friends, don't want any friends, and don't care to be your friend. Understand that, and you will be fine as the pilot of them.

And here's one of the worst offenders...the AS-350B2. It tries to commit suicide with me onboard nearly daily, but it also knows that I both speak its language, as well as always listen to what it has to say and value what it's telling me. So we have very good truce between us. Great helicopter, just one you have to be understanding of, like making a marriage work out right and have few, if any, negative issues.
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Heed these words...........
 
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Former LE pilot, now flying EMS in the as350b3 and ec-130, did all my training in Robbie's. Feel free to ask any questions.
 
I don't have it ... I'm out of the country ... but Bob Stevens did a classic cartoon about the difference between r/w and f/w pilots. I'm home on the 15th and will post if no one does before me.
 
Thanks for the words team. Dustoff17, relax, it's just a figure of speech.

Training is going well. Feels good to be progressing and learning, but it's ridiculous how little I know and how much more I get to learn. It's so great. Love it. Hope you're all doing well.
 
CaliforniaSurfer said:
Thanks for the words team. Dustoff17, relax, it's just a figure of speech.

Training is going well. Feels good to be progressing and learning, but it's ridiculous how little I know and how much more I get to learn. It's so great. Love it. Hope you're all doing well.
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Wow, really? I was being funny, that's the reason I put this ":)" at the end of my comment.
I'm glad things are going well, have fun with it. Always "stay in front" of the helicopter.
 
CaliforniaSurfer said:
Hey guys, I was a regular around here for a while back in 2000-2003ish. I went to a "zero to hero" at a program in California aiming for the airlines. Worked as a CFI/CFII/MEI for two years, but the airline thing did not workout as planned. A blessing in disguise, looking back.

Got into the LE game worked the streets for a while, then made my way into the Air Support Unit as a TFO. Just got selected for a pilot spot. Super excited and also super nervous...haha.

Been able to shoot a few approaches and hover in the AStarB2 with our Chief Pilot, but will be doing all my training in the R22. Yikes.

Words of wisdom? What to expect?

Thanks boys
Click to expand...

Where are you doing your training
 
CaliforniaSurfer said:
Thanks for the words team. Dustoff17, relax, it's just a figure of speech.

Training is going well. Feels good to be progressing and learning, but it's ridiculous how little I know and how much more I get to learn. It's so great. Love it. Hope you're all doing well.
Click to expand...

Yup. When you're a kid thinking of flying you deal in "control movements". When actually learning f/w it's "control pressures". When hovering a Robbie it's "control thoughts".

Yeah, where ARE you training?
 
Mike Massimini said:
I don't have it ... I'm out of the country ... but Bob Stevens did a classic cartoon about the difference between r/w and f/w pilots. I'm home on the 15th and will post if no one does before me.
Click to expand...

Finally ...
Stevens.jpg
 
There are only 2 types of pilots who fly at the absolute limit of the Air.

The first is the high flying Jets like U2 and SR-71. Flying at the absolute edge of the atmosphere with barely a margin to maintain lift.

The other is helicopter pilots....

The difference is there is more • to run into on our edge than on theirs.
 
Used2Fly said:
Wow, that's a new one! I thought for sure you would be posting this (the text is the same, not sure what that's about)
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Looks like Stevens quoted Reasoner in his cartoon - it sounds like Harry - or Harry quoted Stevens. I don't have the original cartoon, but I'm sure there was proper credit. The original Stevens appeared in "Professional Pilot"; I don't know if it's been reprinted elsewhere. Whatever ... the picture of the archetypal "jet pilot vs. helicopter pilot" is a classic.
 
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