Meet A Rotorcraft Pro


By Lyn Burks


RPMN:What is your current position? MCBRIDE: I am currently an airport lineman at Sunriver Resort Airport. I have my helicopter instrument and commercial ratings and just recently attained my airplane private add – on rating.


RPMN: RPMN: Tell me about your first flight. MCBRIDE: My first flight was in an R­22 in beautiful Bend, Oregon. I remember walking out to the helipad and being in utter shock at the size of these tiny hel­ icopters! After working as a mechanic and flying as aircrew on MH60­Jayhawk helicopters in the Coast Guard for seven years, the downsize was truly astounding. However, I was complete­ ly charmed… that is, until I found out I had to carry a cushion just to reach the yaw pedals. Needless to say, my ‘glory’ moment was comically diminished.


RPMN: How did you get your start in helicopters? MCBRIDE: My start in helicopters began in the Coast Guard in 2002, when I was stationed on the US Coast Guard icebreaker ship, Polar Sea. Polar Sea was deployed to Antarctica with two Dauphin helicopters onboard; I was mesmerized. Shortly thereafter, I enrolled in avionics electronics school, and spent the next six­and­a­half years working on and flying in the MH60­ Jayhawk.


RPMN:When and how did you choose to fly helicopters? Or did they choose you? MCBRIDE: Helicopters chose me. I never dreamed of becoming a helicop­ ter pilot. After I left the USCG, I decid­ ed to pursue an English degree, and


10 August 2013


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