Who is the best heli pilot in the world?
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I think kissmysquirrel's proposition
is extraordinary.
Being 'up there with the best of them' doesn't mean being infallible.
I don't believe anyone has ever existed, or ever will, who goes through an entire career (in any sphere) without ever making a mistake.
Flying is less forgiving of mistakes than many other professions, but the difference between an error of judgment resulting in a crash or just the need for a change of underwear is often a matter of luck.
Even the best, in any profession, make mistakes.
FL
Anyone who has crashed due to pilot error can't possibly be up there with the best of them. IMHO.
Being 'up there with the best of them' doesn't mean being infallible.
I don't believe anyone has ever existed, or ever will, who goes through an entire career (in any sphere) without ever making a mistake.
Flying is less forgiving of mistakes than many other professions, but the difference between an error of judgment resulting in a crash or just the need for a change of underwear is often a matter of luck.
Even the best, in any profession, make mistakes.
FL
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I think Dennis Kenyon, I could fly every day for the next 50 years and I don’t think that I would ever have the skill or the balls to maneuver a H300 the way he does.....
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albatross said, "A number of years ago in a bar in Schefferville Quebec a number of hard working helicopter crew were undergoing social re-ajustment when one of the group was heard to say to an attractive lady: " I am one of the best helicopter pilots in Canada! In fact I am rated number six!""
You are right, this guy is guilty of under-bragging. I always told good looking women that I was #1.
You are right, this guy is guilty of under-bragging. I always told good looking women that I was #1.
Ahhh, maybe not so modest after all...!
But, so far, Madame André gets my vote. She'd certainly be in any 'Top 3'!
"Just a pilot"
Virgil Russel
I'm the best pilot, definitely. I'm an excellent driver, er- pilot.
Actual, serious opinion and recommendation- Virgil Russell.
I flew with Virg when he was in the training department at PHI. Absolute master of the aircraft, consumate professional aviator and instructor pilot. No matter what shape I showed up in to fly that day- check ride nerves, whatever- he'd get the best out of me, teach me something new, and during the process I'd always forget I was being evaluated and taught.
Actual, serious opinion and recommendation- Virgil Russell.
I flew with Virg when he was in the training department at PHI. Absolute master of the aircraft, consumate professional aviator and instructor pilot. No matter what shape I showed up in to fly that day- check ride nerves, whatever- he'd get the best out of me, teach me something new, and during the process I'd always forget I was being evaluated and taught.
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Bravo73
Though I wouldn't normally leap to the defense of Mr Lappos; I think there may have been a tongue firmly planted in his cheek!
Best pilot: Gary Patterson - some may question this view, still the best I've flown with.
Cheers,
Doc
Best pilot: Gary Patterson - some may question this view, still the best I've flown with.
Cheers,
Doc
Avoid imitations
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Surely, a real lady should be more interested in a pilot's handling and button pushing on the ground rather than in the air?
What say the ladies around here?
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cough 
beg yours there whirls - is that a blinder?
I guess there are always about three levels in any application, whether or not any of those applications measure against the others is a mute and or 'blind' point.
'Blind' to many of the practioners of the more bland varieties of application as they've never seen real dexterity in the truest sense of the word.
the bloke depicted below would consider himself only a 'useful' practioner of the second floor level, I know he reserves a lot of respect for what he calls top floor operators. He also has at least 15k+ hours in mainipulating machines in very close proximity to the ground.
http://www.outbackmag.com.au/home.as...4CAC8740A0CDED
beg yours there whirls - is that a blinder?I guess there are always about three levels in any application, whether or not any of those applications measure against the others is a mute and or 'blind' point.
'Blind' to many of the practioners of the more bland varieties of application as they've never seen real dexterity in the truest sense of the word.
the bloke depicted below would consider himself only a 'useful' practioner of the second floor level, I know he reserves a lot of respect for what he calls top floor operators. He also has at least 15k+ hours in mainipulating machines in very close proximity to the ground.
http://www.outbackmag.com.au/home.as...4CAC8740A0CDED
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Liverpool based Geordie, so calm down, calm down kidda!!
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With great confidence I say it is not me, however I nominate any one from hundreds of pilots who have put it on the line in SAR or on operations. Some of my ex-students could not fly an accurate circuit in a million years, but they now have a chestfull of medals for operating under intense fire in Iraq and Afganistan. My best pilot is one who can continue to fly when there are other important things occupying their immediate attention....
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IMHO My top 3 (not in order) would have to be Tim Tucker(USA) Guillaume Maillet(USA) and Bill Scarrett (UK)
All of these men must have been born with a collective in their hands.
Chester
All of these men must have been born with a collective in their hands.
Chester
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I'm going to put my vote in for a fella named Duncan McNabb. 20 000 hours rotor and I think that he's done it all, including S61 Night IFR longline ops in the artic.
Duncan is very humble guy, but not to the point that he's wouldn't go out of his way to help a guy out. When I grow up, I want to be like Duncan.
Duncan is very humble guy, but not to the point that he's wouldn't go out of his way to help a guy out. When I grow up, I want to be like Duncan.
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I not sure who is the best, how ever I do have some possibilites on who was the best.
A couple of possibilities:
Carl Agar, operated the first Commercial Helicopter in Canada. He founded Okanagan Helicopters in 1951. An Industry pinoneer, Okanagan Helicopters has since evolved into CHC.
The Soviet Helicopter Pilots at Chernobyl that : “From 27 April to 4 May, 5000 tons of sand and other material were dropped "down the throat" of the smouldering reactors before the fire was contained.”
http://www.ocnus.net/cgi-bin/exec/vi...e=92&num=23919
A couple of possibilities:
Carl Agar, operated the first Commercial Helicopter in Canada. He founded Okanagan Helicopters in 1951. An Industry pinoneer, Okanagan Helicopters has since evolved into CHC.
The Soviet Helicopter Pilots at Chernobyl that : “From 27 April to 4 May, 5000 tons of sand and other material were dropped "down the throat" of the smouldering reactors before the fire was contained.”
http://www.ocnus.net/cgi-bin/exec/vi...e=92&num=23919
Best Pilot
