Why are there so many NZ 500 Pilots walking away from running machines?? Under FAA, CASA, DGCA & JAR regs its illegal to leave a running machine unless equipped with control locks, not just frictions, but locks??? hmmmmm whether by regulation or not seems to me like a pretty dangerous & unsafe practise
Risk versus regulation, don't confuse legality with perceived safety. Many civil aviation authorities have tried to "regulate" safety. It doesn't work. There are many cases where it is safer to leave the controls and check things for yourself. Shutting down may not be "economic". Time, start cycles, control of pax, etc etc. How would you feel letting your pax load and close the doors or walk into the tail rotor while you sat there at the controls all smug and legal?
This has been a lot of debate about it in NZ in recent times. Some flight manuals preclude it. In NZ you may make a case / petition and if there is no objection or the risk is assessed it may be approved subject to conditions.
How many machines with "locks" have had them removed lately by the manufacturers because the pilot has managed to take off with them "on" or worse engage them in flight? I am aware of several. It cuts both ways.
Regulations are for the guidance of wise men and the obeyance of idiots. Legality does not always mean safety.
There are more helicopters per head of population in NZ than just about anywhere - 750 machines for 4.3 million people? 105 of those are 500's. Unlike most countries a helicopter in NZ won't even draw a second glance. In fact someone gawking at a helicopter in New Zealand is obviously a "tourist."