By Rick Weatherford


RPMN:Where did you get your start fly­ ing commercially? BURKS: As a civilian­trained pilot who started in Robinson R22s in 1991, my first paying job was as a CFII. I flew heli­ copters on my days off from the fire department. Since then I have gained 6,000 hours of experience and have flown Robinson, Bell, Agusta, and Sikorsky aircraft. I have had the privi­ lege of flying in the sectors of instruc­ tion, charter, ENG, utility, EMS, and cor­ porate. I even did a tour as a Sikorsky S76 instructor pilot in China for their national SAR program.


RPMN: I guess I should have asked you what you haven’t flown; it would have saved copy space. If you were not in the helicopter industry, what else would you see yourself doing? BURKS: Without a doubt, I would still be with fire rescue. I loved that job! I left that career in 1999 as a Captain on a rescue engine for a full­time job as an EMS pilot.


Note: Well, you asked for it! We’ve had numerous requests for MARP to inter­


view our own Editor In Chief, Lyn Burks. Readers are naturally curious about who’s behind their monthly magazine and favorite rotorcraftpro.com websites. Up until now Lyn’s been reluctant to interview himself. He finally was cornered by Copy Editor Rick Weatherford and agreed to talk, with the understanding that there would be no “gotcha” payback questions! However, some answers might surprise.


RPMN: Lyn, we know you’re Rotorcraft Pro’s Editor In Chief. But you do much more than just edit. What other jobs do you have? BURKS: I am fortunate to wear several hats, which keeps things interesting. Like you said, I am the co­owner and Editor In Chief of Rotorcraft Promaga­ zine. I am also the owner and develop­ er of JustHelicopters.com and VerticalReference.com. I also produce the HeliSuccess Career Development and NightCon Night Vision Conferences. Additionally, although I no longer fly full time, I still fly as a contract pilot several days per month. I am current in the Agusta A109E and the Sikorsky S76 C+.


RPMN: Yes, you do stay busy. Tell me about your very first flight. BURKS: My first flight in a helicopter


10 October 2013


was as a U.S. Marine when I was flown from Okinawa Island to an LST naval vessel as part of a military exercise. I was only a passenger on that flight, but the experience put helicopters on my radar. I didn’t get the “helicopter bug” until after I got out of the Marines.


RPMN:When and how did you choose to fly helicopters? Or did they choose you? BURKS: The more I think about it, I think they chose me. My first job out of the Marines was with a municipal fire­ rescue department. I was a Firefighter / EMT. They sent me to an advanced rope­rescue class where we were doing rescue ops out of a Forestry UH­1. From that moment on, I knew I had to fly helicopters.


RPMN: So with everything you’ve done, what do you see as your greatest career accomplishment to date? BURKS: Honestly, I have been blessed with many high points, so it’s hard to say.


RPMN: That’s a cop out. Our Editor In Chief will demand more, or are you try­ ing to get me fired! BURKS: Okay, okay, I know he can be demanding (laughs). I am particularly proud of my accomplishments in the area of career development in the industry. With the help of some very good people, I have produced the HeliSuccess seminar in one form or another twelve times in the last five years. I have also produced several career development e­books targeting career pilots and pilots transitioning from the military to the civilian world. Through our seminars and e­books we have touched thousands of pilots in var­ ious stages of their careers. For these efforts, I was the humble recipient of the 2012 Helicopter Association International Salute to Excellence in Communications Award.


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