has been having the ability to mentor pilots and impact their lives, and make as big a difference in their career trajectory as my mentors made in mine.
RP: Have you ever had an “Oh, crap” moment in helicopters? Can you summarize what happened?
My very first “Oh, crap” moment was kind of funny. Early in my helicopter training when auto rotations and throttle chops were introduced, my instructor would often give me a simulated engine failure with a throttle chop as soon as we were out of the airport’s airspace. He did this on one occasion and I entered the auto and started calling out rotor RPM, airspeed, and trim. He announced, “I have the controls.” I said, “I got it under control,” to which he replied, “The engine quit!” I happily transferred the controls to him and then realized that I had not been watching the engine RPM at all. My situational awareness was lacking, but it was a great lesson that I learned early in my helicopter flying career.
Tinnesand and fellow Boeing instructors depart Mesa for the Yuma Proving Grounds for aerial gunnery training with customer pilots.
RP: If you could give only one piece of advice to a new helicopter pilot or mechanic, what would it be?
Find a mentor or two who can help you achieve your wildest dreams in our industry. You can certainly do it alone and still be successful, but it sure is a lot easier and more fun when you have someone working with you. I am a huge advocate of networking, and mentoring is really another form of it. The power of networking (that usually starts with a mentor) is unbelievable. I am living proof of that.
RP: In your view, what is the greatest challenge for the helicopter industry at this moment?
I would have to say accidents. We have far too many bad things still happening, even though every single organization is shouting “Safety First!” This does not apply to all accidents, but we still have pilots making bad decisions and taking unnecessary risks. It must stop.
Do you know someone who would be a good subject for Meet a Rotor Pro? Email your suggestion to the editor-in-chief:
lyn.burks@rotorpro.com
rotorpro.com
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