What are your 'tips' to being a better helicopter pilot?

[pilot_tolip]

What are your 'tips' to being a better helicopter pilot? I'm currently hour building towards the CPL-H and interested to hear experienced pilots 'pearls of wisdom'.
What can only experience teach you? What do you wish you were taught/told but weren't? What's not in 'the books'?

[Bravo73]

My first tip is 'learn how to use the search function on PPRuNe'.

But, to get you going, here is one of the various previous threads on a similar subject. (This one was started in 2002):

https://www.pprune.org/rotorheads/174184-i-learned-about-flying-ilafft.html

[Ascend Charlie]

If you think that throwing the machine around is going to impress the pax, then you aren't thinking.

The smoother, the better. And you don't get to see their breakfast.

[Bell_ringer]

Avoid doing stupid things when a YouTube vlogger is around

[Vertical Freedom]

If in doubt? Bug out! :rolleyes:
Do everything into wind....except piss :8 (whenever possible) :ooh:
Know Your power margins before turning final & before departure...have You got the power to safely land & depart? :bored:

[SASless]

Before Landing....visualize exactly where the Skids/Wheels be at Touchdown then put them there exactly.

[Prawn2king4]

Take out the holds & fly hands on as much as possible ..... and remember the 5 P's

[helimutt]

Fly accurately. ;)

[FL020]

Keep learning, every flight, every day.
If or when the day comes you think you know it all, get out of the heli and stop flying!

[ShyTorque]

Avoid weddings, where common sense often goes out of the window.

[sycamore]

Think about where your `tips`(main and tail) are at all times,and where your downwash is going when manoeuvring on airfields...

[retreating blade]

Always have a way back from what you are about to do.

[FH1100 Pilot]

Always, always, always have a Plan B, and a Plan C (and maybe even a Plan D) in your back pocket. And don't be so married to Plan A that you won't use them if need be.



Always know where the wind is coming from and LAND INTO IT. That way you won't have to explain yourself when some smart-aleck comes up to you and says, "I thought aircraft were supposed to take-off and land *into* the wind..." And you won't get into VRS or SWP or LTE and then you won't have to blame the helicopter for your poor planning and execution.

[meleagertoo]

Don't wear brown shoes with a blue suit.

[Father Dick Byrne]

Never put any part of the aircraft into any place which your conscious mind has not properly explored already. Make sure that exploration discovered at least two ways out.

[jellycopter]

Enjoy it! When to stop enjoying it, move over and let someone else have a chance. Organisations are riddled with bitter and twisted has-beens clogging up the places that young, keen and interested Wannabees will gladly fill.

[helonorth]

Don't scare your passengers. Always land into the wind. Don't crash.

[inmate]

The airport and emergency landing area behind you.
The altitude above you.
The fuel you have already used.
The lower you fly the less options available to you.
Fly like your passenger has a full G and T and doesn't want it in his/her lap.

[Hughes500]

Actually 7 p's prior planning and preparation prevents piss poor performance
Never ever go with someone who says they know everything about helicopter flying, no one knows everything

[Bell_ringer]

Better is a journey, it's not a destination.

[malabo]

Wind is king, but in the Bush the are plenty of situations where you’ll be downwind and will need to manage your profile and power. Best you learn that in training and not when the real thing slaps you.
Make every lift as if you expect a skid is snagged, every landing as if you’re beyond off-level limits. Smooth.
Walk around the helicopter before you climb in. Every time.

[helipixman]

Know your own limits
Know the limits of the helicopter strapped to your back

Great eyesight.... the number of times I have been in a helicopter and told the pilot... have you seen the wires ahead or just below. They maybe the pilot but if my life is at stake I WILL tell them.

[Ascend Charlie]

Be aware of where your feet are - how much pedal is being used already, how much more is available, and how fast you are using it up. Go around well before you hit the stops.

[GrayHorizonsHeli]

Always, always tip your engineer :)

[paco]

"Walk around the helicopter before you climb in. Every time."

And after you land

[[email protected]]

In the cockpit, it's not a competition to show how much better you are than the other guy/gal.

[Attila]

Never fly in the same cockpit as someone braver than you!:=

[ThomasTheTankEngine]

Always leave yourself a way out (excape route) and don’t be afraid to say no to pushy passengers, other pilots, your boss etc.

[Brutal]

Amen to ThomasTheTankEngine above........
Well done pilot_tolip for asking the question and wanting the "pearls of wisdom" from those more experienced....already at the start of your career you show professionalism that you want to learn to make you a better pilot!
You would not believe there are some guys and gals out there with about 2 years under their belt but know everything and do not need to listen to anyone more experienced trying to help...it make take years but eventually it catches up with them and ends in tears!
Tip for staying alive.......no matter how monotonous or bored you are doing a particular flight or flights.......... NEVER become complacent !

Welcome to the world of rotary...
B.

[mftx7jrn]

Always respect your own limits, and those of the aircraft.

[ShyTorque]

If you're flying and the handling pilot says "Hey, watch this!"
Ask to land and get out so you can watch it from the ground.

[Thomas coupling]

Start a family!
Kids focus the mind..................

[krypton_john]

Start a family!
Kids focus the mind..................

And lead to a more risk averse approach to decision making.

[SASless]

Digging up my mantra...."Ass, Tin, Ticket!".

Do what you have to in order to preserve your own body....and keep it un-hurt, un-broken, and in the same condition as when you sat down in the seat.

Then, take care of the aircraft....return it to its parking place intact, un-broken, with no dents, dings, or unseen damage.

Thirdly....worry about explaining your actions, decisions, and/or conduct to the Authorities.

But....remember....the Helicopter is a re-usable container that can be used to protect its contents if necessary.

If you. have to....use her up....total her....if that is the last resort available to safeguard yourself and those with you.

Helicopters can be replaced.....people cannot.

[DOUBLE BOGEY]

Buy a big watch. Gets lots of badges on your flight suit. Stop posting ****e on Pprune.

[paco]

What brutal said - every entry into a confined area should be treated as a new one - never underestimate the ability of an amateur radio person to string up an antenna since the last time you went in

[ShyTorque]

Buy a big watch. Gets lots of badges on your flight suit. Stop posting ****e on Pprune.

Where did you get yours from?

[cattletruck]

Once you get your ticket and think you are a hot shot, fly with an elderly pilot and you will quickly understand how they got to be elderly.
My most enlightening hour to this day was with an 82 y/o (ex airbus pilot) at the controls of a DH82.

[Bitmonx]

Never ever push the weather.
Final approach should be slow (never fast) stable and under power, preferably into wind but as long as you are aware where the wimd is coming from it won't matter unless you are heavy/hot or high.
Always do a pre/postflight.
Treat the Heli with respect.
Keep in mind: Better sitting on the ground wishing you were flying than flying and wishing you were on the ground!!!!!
Cheers

[bam-ba-lam]

The NEED to get home is more important than the SPEED to get home. Waiting 1 minute, 1 hour or 1 day can make the difference of a lifetime.

[beep trim]

Accept that your flying skills are probably just average, and plan accordingly.

[Bell_ringer]

Spend less time on internet forums than you do speaking to your instructors and peers?

[zzodr]

Make sure you eat and drink something before flying.
Make sure your batteries for headset/accessories are good.
Make sure you don't rush your daily inspection.
Make sure you check how much fuel is onboard before flight.
Make sure you do a fuel drain at first flight and after refuelling.
Make sure the helicopter is not overloaded and within CG limits.
Make sure you do a hover power check before flying off.
Make sure you keep a good lookout especially in the vicinity of the airfield.
Make sure your radio/s are on the right frequency.
Make sure your main rotor is untied before start.

Watch out for wind, wires and wildlife.
Be aware of density altitude and effect on performance.
Don't pull more collective than the engine can handle.
Brief your passengers. Remove passenger side flying controls if able.
Look around when flying for places to land in case of emergency.
Keep an eye on the weather. Stay away from clouds.
Help out other crew and mechanics.
Keep the rotor RPM in the green range.
Don't hit the edges of the sky. Have fun!

[SASless]

Know exactly where your next fuel is located.

[albatross]

Customers, through ignorance, will try to kill you in order to get their job done. Always remember that. They do not know helicopters, Wx Ect.
Be firm. Learn to use the word "NO!" You will live longer.

[Washeduprotorgypsy]

Ask yourself what are the Risks vs. Rewards for completing whatever proposed mission. Is it worth it? Is there an acceptable plan B. Then ask yourself again the risk/rewards question for all the steps involved in completing that mission.

Let the unadulterated mental images of shop horror films , fly ; when picturing the risks. How long is that rescue gonna take? If at all with this weather?

Ask yourself , am I a professional pilot or professional "adrenalin junkie?"

Look yourself in the mirror. Be brave , be strong.

[[email protected]]

Learn to 'feel' your helicopter, the different sounds, vibrations and control positions for stages of flight - feel the onset and loss of translational lift so you can anticipate it, both on the main and TR.

Fly approaches to the same spot from different directions to understand how the wind affects the power, directional control and sight picture - learn how a crosswind feels and affects the pedal position in the latter stages so you know which is the 'best' side to have a crosswind from.

Be comfortable with the power and control position differences between an OGE and IGE hover.

Don't be scared of downwind approaches or transitions unless you are very short of power - start with a light wind and again, 'feel' the difference.

As you gain confidence, explore the limits of your helicopter - but do it gradually in small increments - eventually you will feel comfortable with your helicopter in a variety of conditions and know in advance what is going to happen next - that is the main difference between a newbie and an experienced pilot - the ability to plan ahead and anticipate.

[SASless]

Sudden vibration changes in flight....with no immediately explainable reason.....LAND ASAP....and do not fly the machine again until the cause for the change is determined.

[Robbiee]

Every so often review your book knowledge, and not just limitations and emergency procedures, but some of the old basics too. Don't be that guy who years from now shrugs his shoulders when asked what transverse flow is.

Don't make it a point to tell everyone you're a pilot. Most people couldn't care less, plus, it may backfire on you if they turn out to be someone who is sick of all the aircraft noise over their house.

[griffothefog]

Stay out of the poo and in the blue.....

[Fareastdriver]

Don't take any advice from me.

[krypton_john]

Sudden vibration changes in flight....with no immediately explainable reason.....LAND ASAP....and do not fly the machine again until the cause for the change is determined.

What about the little vibes, the ones where you think you might be imagining it but dammit it does seem to be shaking a little?

[krypton_john]

Train for problems but plan to avoid problems.

[GrayHorizonsHeli]

My first tip is 'learn how to use the search function on PPRuNe'.

51 comments later this must burn you up inside

[Bravo73]

Nope, not really.

Its just basic forum etiquette (before posting any new topic).

[Max Contingency]

Gravity is defeated in a helicopter through juggling kinetic energy (speed), potential energy (height) and chemical energy through fuel burn (power). You can safely run out of any two of those if you have a surplus of the third. If you run out of all three at the same time, gravity will win.

[GrayHorizonsHeli]

Nope, not really.

Its just basic forum etiquette (before posting any new topic).

this is Pprune...the only etiquette I have noticed is to try not to dance with the select few with all the answers,

[SASless]

Gravity always wins.....as there are no helicopters in Orbit or exploring the Cosmos.

[ShyTorque]

Whatever happens, always think: "Nr, Nr, Nr!"

[bb in ca]

Don’t run out of fuel.

Don’t hit anything.

Try to sound cool on the radio.

Always fly like the good pilots you know and respect are watching.

[lelebebbel]

Someone is filming you. Always.

[John R81]

For private / commercial flying, when in command there is a strong inverse correlation between bravery and life expectancy.

Likely to be true for military flying too, but I have no experience

[Helisweet]

Helos are useless, so only goverments and petrol companies pay for them when civilization ends.

[mickjoebill]

Helos are useless, so only goverments and petrol companies pay for them when civilization ends.
When civilisation ends, and the survivors are counted, helicopter pilots will be over represented, along with heads of state and billionaires.

In the meantime be particularly fearful of camera crews.

mjb