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Meet a otor
GUILLAUME MAILLET
RPMN: WHAT IS YOUR CURRENT POSITION? I am the chief instructor for Robinson Helicopter Company.
RPMN: WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST EXPERIENCE WITH HELICOPTERS?
My first helicopter ride was in a Hughes 500 when I was about five years old, through my father’s work. Unfortunately, I was too young to remember much about it. The first one I really remember was in a Bell 47 in Australia when I was 15. By then, my interest in helicopters was already well established, so that flight was a memorable experience.
RPMN: HOW DID YOU GET YOUR START IN THE HELICOPTER INDUSTRY?
After completing my flight training, I purchased a stake in a flight school. That opportunity allowed me to become involved in nearly every aspect of the operation, from flight instruction to day-to-day operations and management. It gave me a broad understanding of the industry early in my career and provided a strong foundation for the opportunities and experiences that followed.
RPMN: WHEN AND HOW DID YOU CHOOSE THE HELICOPTER INDUSTRY? OR DID IT CHOOSE YOU?
A little bit of both. When I was a kid, my older brother built model airplanes, and naturally I wanted to follow in his footsteps. I remember looking through the shelves at our local hobby shop, but none of the airplane models really caught my attention. Then, tucked away near
12 July/Aug 2026
the bottom of the display, I spotted a model of an Alouette II. Something about it immediately caught my interest! I built that model, then another helicopter, and before long I was buying books about helicopters and trying to learn everything I could about them. Looking back, finding that Alouette II model was probably the moment that set me on the path I have followed ever since.
RPMN: WHERE DID START YOUR PROFESSIONAL FLYING AND TRAINING CAREER?
I began my professional flying career in Southern California as a flight instructor. From there, my career gradually expanded beyond flight instruction into operational management, pilot examining, and the development and delivery of training programs.
RPMN: IF YOU WERE NOT IN THE HELICOPTER INDUSTRY, WHAT ELSE WOULD YOU SEE YOURSELF DOING?
Helicopters have never really felt like just a job to me. It is what I have always wanted to do, so imagining myself doing something completely different is surprisingly difficult. After more than 30 years in the industry, I still haven’t come up with a good answer to what I would be doing instead.
RPMN: WHAT DO YOU ENJOY DOING ON YOUR DAYS OFF?
I enjoy spending time at home with my family. That said, I’m never too far removed from helicopters. I usually have a book or article nearby, or I find myself working on some type of training project. I genuinely enjoy learning, developing training material, and finding better ways to explain and teach different aspects of helicopter operations.
RPMN: WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST CAREER ACCOMPLISHMENT TO DATE?
Having had the opportunity to contribute to helicopter safety through training throughout my career. Whether it has been helping a student earn a certificate, mentoring an instructor, or developing and improving training programs, each has been rewarding in its own way. Ultimately, knowing that something I have taught, developed, or shared may help a pilot make a better decision or operate a helicopter more safely is probably the accomplishment that means the most to me.
RPMN: HAVE YOU EVER HAD AN ‘OH, CRAP’ MOMENT IN HELICOPTERS? IF SO, SUMMARIZE WHAT HAPPENED.
Early in my flight instructor career, I was conducting a night training flight with a student. Shortly after departing the airport, about a mile from the runway, I noticed a red and a green light through the right side of the windshield. For a moment, my brain simply did not register what I was looking at. By the time it did, I realized we were on a direct collision course with a Schweizer 300, looking almost straight at its windshield. My reaction was completely instinctive; I immediately took the control and rolled the aircraft left. To this day, I still do not understand how we missed each other. It happened incredibly quickly and left a lasting impression on me. More than anything, it reinforced how difficult another aircraft can be to see at night and how quickly an otherwise routine flight can turn into a critical situation.
RPMN: IF YOU COULD GIVE ONLY ONE PIECE OF ADVICE TO NEW PILOTS, MECHANICS, OR SUPPORT PERSONNEL, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
Stay proficient. Earning a certificate is only the beginning of the learning process. Aviation demands continuous learning, regular practice, and
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