autorotations. Solid training makes up the foundation for operating machines safely, whether it’s a helicopter, an air- plane, a boat, or anything else. Training instills the knowledge and confidence to react quickly and decisively. Since you can’t always see things as they are, make sure
you have someone in your wheelhouse—a trusted friend or coworker—who can tell you, “It’s time you brush up on this.” You can do the same for them. Make it fun and constructive. Get out and practice autorotations and IFR approaches.
Speak up if you’re not feeling well. Stop and reach out to coworkers or your chief pilot and say, “I need help.” We must be willing to speak up. Tese days, everyone is asked to do more with less time and usually with fewer resources. Take your time, pay more attention. Whether you’re a pilot or an aircraft mechanic, it’s in our human nature to make mistakes. We’re not perfect, but we have to work together. You have to be able to step up and say, “Hey, I know I could have messed up. Can you double-check my work?” I encourage you to be confident. Don’t give up. Oftentimes,
we are our own biggest hurdle. Never surrender to an emergency. Don’t stop flying the aircraft. I’ve read accident reports where pilots froze up or took their hands off the controls and told everyone they’re sorry. I’m surprised to hear how many casualties are presumed to have been caused by the flight crew just giving up.
On the day of the Bell 407 accident, I reverted to my
training. We’re alive because of it—and probably thanks to five other miracles.
Looking Forward to What’s Next I’ve gone through some dark moments since the accident. Tankfully, my girlfriend, Katlyn, as well as my son, Tim, have been by my side. People I haven’t spoken to in 20 years have called me. Tere’s been an outpouring of kindness from the aviation community. Last summer, Katlyn and I adopted a rescue dog, Atlas, as a service animal for me, and we’re excited to be expecting a baby in June. I don’t know if I’ll be able to fly again, but I have to try.
I’m taking my time, to make sure that I’m OK to get back out there. I owe it to myself, Katlyn, my family, and the industry to make sure that I’m 100% physically and mentally. I need to know I can handle whatever happens. In the meantime, I’m open to other opportunities. What I do know: when I’m pilot-in-command, I’m
responsible for safety—on board and outside the machine. We all did our jobs that day—Paradise Helicopters, the passengers, rescue crews, doctors, and medical staff. I’m here to tell my story because of it. Maybe, someday, if I’m as lucky as I was that Wednesday
in June 2022, I’ll be back surfing and snowboarding, moun- tain biking and hiking, and flying people over this gorgeous Hawaiian island I call home.
robinson-r22-com-towers-ad-rotor-quarter-page-ad.pdf 1 1/26/2024 10:17:46 AM
Climb Higher C M Y CM MY CY CMY K
Robinson designs and builds reliable and accessible helicopters so more people can accomplish more missions. For more information, visit
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