RPMN: Have you ever had an “Oh, crap” moment in a helicopter? Can you summarize what happened?
I have had a number of them! Dark nights off a ship in the Mediterranean, rotor damper failures halfway between Grand Turk and Roosevelt Roads Naval Station, Puerto Rico, and engine failures. Probably the most relevant and recent was an engine failure I had in a company aircraft at over 7,000 feet approaching the Tehachapi mountain range back in 2015. I had the Number One engine lose a main bearing and quit during a climb out over the mountains. Superior REACH training coupled with plenty of practice with the EC-135 OEI training switch made for a relatively uneventful single-engine recovery and safe landing at Bakersfield Municipal Airport. Training for cannot be overlooked!
unexpected events
RPMN: If you could give only one piece of advice to a new helicopter pilot, what would it be?
Be humble, attentive, and learn everything you can. There is a vast amount of experience in the industry; make sure you take the time
to learn from those who might have seen it before.
RPMN: In your view, what is the greatest challenge for the helicopter industry at this moment in time?
About three months ago I would have said the shortage of qualified pilots and aviation maintenance technicians. The events of the last couple of months have changed that landscape dramatically, and I think we will be looking at an excess of both very soon due to changed economics going forward. I would also like to take an opportunity to put in a recommendation for IFR helicopter flight; attempting to fly VFR in IMC conditions continues to be a tragic and ongoing problem in our industry. I have two remedies in mind: File and fly IFR if able, or just land the damn helicopter or do not even go!
Do you know someone who would be a good subject for Meet a Rotorcraft Pro? Email your suggestion to the editor-in-chief:
lyn.burks@rotorcraftpro.com
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