RP: If you were not in the helicopter industry, what else would you see yourself doing?
I like to think that I would work a remote job while traveling and exploring this beautiful planet, or work at maybe an outdoor job like many of the customers I fly now – Fish and Wildlife, land surveyor, or work in the field for the Division of Land, Water and Mining ... anything but sit in an office and stare out the window like I used to.
RP: What do you enjoy doing on your days off?
My work schedule takes me away from home for months at a time, and when I am at home, I try to have a somewhat normal lifestyle with activities like going to the gym, cooking or meeting friends. But I also love to head out on road trips to the many stunning National Parks in the Southwest, and I enjoy visiting old colleagues at the Grand Canyon. Once or twice a year I jump across the Atlantic to see my family and friends in Germany.
RP: What is your greatest career accomplishment to date?
There are many smaller milestones that led to the amazing job I have now: The first flight with passengers, the first turbine job, the first long-line experience, the first OAS checkride, the first flight across international borders – the list is long. Each one was the greatest accomplishment at the time, but every aviation accident reminds me that doing my best to be a safe pilot is my greatest ongoing accomplishment.
RP: Have you ever had an “oh, crap” moment involving helicopters? Can you summarize what happened?
Nothing serious that resulted in an accident, incident or injury, thank God. But relatively small things like an almost bird strike, the occasional drone or even airplane out of nowhere (sadly many pilots in Alaska don´t make radio calls), or simply the helicopter shifting on uneven ground after setting down have gotten my heart rate going.
The Series Built for the future...
RP: If you could give only one piece of advice to new pilots, mechanics, or support personnel, what would it be?
Whether you do maintenance on a helicopter, are hot loading or refueling, whether you are a pilot doing your preflight, the route plan or are in the air: Don’t rush it.
RP: In your view, what is the greatest challenge for the helicopter industry at this moment in time?
The lack of young pilots. Chief pilots don´t have stacks of resumes sitting on their desks anymore. While it may seem like an advantage for pilots who are looking for employment, it is becoming more difficult for companies to fill spots with qualified applicants, and I think it will impact the industry in the long run – possibly until we see autonomous “helicopter drones” take over more and more pilot jobs.
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
Learn more at:
www.turbolyft.com Y-Fighter Experience
rotorpro.com
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