How does one begin to answer those questions posed by Heliport?
Looking back over almost forty years of helicopter flying in all sorts of tasking, locations, evironments, onshore, offshore, mountains, deserts, tundra,swamps, thicket and thistle patches, in peacetime, almost war, and wartime, longline, ladders, rappelling, spraying, drying cherries, and a host of other variables....the answer is easy. You have to be insane....or have some weird quirk in your makeup that keeps you doing what we do.
Yes it takes a different personality and over time that personality will change as we are products of our environment. Are we "special"...yes and no. We start out being somewhat ordinary folks but over time I suggest we do fall into the "special" catagory as a career flying helicopters can set you apart from the rest of our species.
Bush flying particularly.....as one finds oneself smack dab in the middle of no where...no support services....washing yer clothes in a bucket...oft times treading water in your sleeping bag...and stepping in fresh Bear poop barefoot as you do a 2AM star check after drinking a half case of beer for dinner. Do this for five months then find yourself in town for three days before you head back out for another stint.
Of all the flying I have done the Bush flying is my favorite by far! No regimentation, no one looking over your shoulder....no one to help you roll the fuel drums and pump your fuel....but no one to crowd you at the fishing hole either. Life was enjoyable and a lot of life's imponderables sorted out...the most important being....NEVER Allow yourself to tricked into living in a Geologist Fly Camp!
Does it change you this helicopter flying?
Imagine an accountant getting thrown out of Chilkoot Charlies, the Midnight Express, and PJ's in Anchorage, all in one night for being "rowdy".
(Other than fair Whirls perhaps....)