What do you enjoy about being part of the helicopter industry?
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: England, United Kingdom
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What I like,
Firstly, being able to see the ground(or water) when I am flying, as opposed to flying planks
Variety and being able to meet all kinds of strange (and nice)people
Firstly, being able to see the ground(or water) when I am flying, as opposed to flying planks
Variety and being able to meet all kinds of strange (and nice)people
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: the other side
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For the short time i have flown helos, i can say in all honesty that it is the only thing in life that i want to do.
As it is life is not that kind and currently i am back driving trucks trying to save the pennys for the next flight.
But during my short time (so far) it has to be the people and the places.
I flew in NZ and seeing that great country from the air is an experience that i will remember forever and would not trade for all the tea in china.
And as for the people, well they are some of the most genuine and friendly people any man could wish to meet.
As for the future i hope to meet many more interesting people and see many more sights all around the world.
As for the freebee, bring it on, anything that reminds me of the good times can only be a good thing.
As it is life is not that kind and currently i am back driving trucks trying to save the pennys for the next flight.
But during my short time (so far) it has to be the people and the places.
I flew in NZ and seeing that great country from the air is an experience that i will remember forever and would not trade for all the tea in china.
And as for the people, well they are some of the most genuine and friendly people any man could wish to meet.
As for the future i hope to meet many more interesting people and see many more sights all around the world.
As for the freebee, bring it on, anything that reminds me of the good times can only be a good thing.
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: UK
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Every other shmuck on the ground always looks up at this amazing flying machine, in awe of the people that are in it.
Si
Although being a 25-year plank jock, I've only amassed 95 rotor hours, so I obviously don't do this for work. So, why is rotor flight so great?
That intro flight was like the first time I EVER flew. What excitement! Right after landing, I ask the instructor how soon we can go again.
Spending obscene sums of money to do this for mere pleasure, with scant hope of ever getting paid to fly helis. But, it's the most fun I've had for my aircraft-rental dollars. I never totalled the bills because I didn't want to know!
The exhilaration of being in command of a machine that simply wouldn't stay in the air without my guidance, yet being anxious about how well I would handle a tail rotor failure.
Giving someone their first magic-carpet ride... My son saying "this is cool!" when I've only hover-taxied the first 10 feet of our flight.
So, it's said to be the most fun you can have with your clothes on. Well, if I had to choose between an hour behind the cyclic, or an hour with the missus in the sack..... Ask me no questions, I'll tell you no lies.
That intro flight was like the first time I EVER flew. What excitement! Right after landing, I ask the instructor how soon we can go again.
Spending obscene sums of money to do this for mere pleasure, with scant hope of ever getting paid to fly helis. But, it's the most fun I've had for my aircraft-rental dollars. I never totalled the bills because I didn't want to know!
The exhilaration of being in command of a machine that simply wouldn't stay in the air without my guidance, yet being anxious about how well I would handle a tail rotor failure.
Giving someone their first magic-carpet ride... My son saying "this is cool!" when I've only hover-taxied the first 10 feet of our flight.
So, it's said to be the most fun you can have with your clothes on. Well, if I had to choose between an hour behind the cyclic, or an hour with the missus in the sack..... Ask me no questions, I'll tell you no lies.
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Leafy Suburbia - In the High towers
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Whaky sense of humour. Sitting in a lovely hangar with the beasties in pieces around me and watching them fire up on the pan outside.
Being the T(ech) lady to such nice chaps
TnT
Being the T(ech) lady to such nice chaps
TnT
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: In the Haven of Peace
Age: 79
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I love the fact that after 40 years I still wake up every morning and really look forward to going to play (it's never been like work to me). I love the fact that in a helicopter I'm still (barely 
) in charge of the machine, not just flying a big computer game (like most fixed wing aeroplane pilots). I love flying low and slow enough most of the time to appreciate this beautiful planet we are allowed to despoil during our brief soujourn here. I love still being an instructor and seeing (some) of the pilots of tomorrow starting to experience the joy I feel every day. I love ferry flights and being able to see so much of Africa spoiled only by my own noise and pollution. I love the smell of kerosene in the morning. I love the whirrr from a Dauphin fenestron and I still love hearing the whup, whup of a 212 flying by 
I'll love it every day until the doc tells me that I'm a danger to my passengers, or my company tells me that I'm too much of a dinosaur to be of any use to anybody any more, or I don't feel that I'm so lucky to be doing what I do.
) in charge of the machine, not just flying a big computer game (like most fixed wing aeroplane pilots). I love flying low and slow enough most of the time to appreciate this beautiful planet we are allowed to despoil during our brief soujourn here. I love still being an instructor and seeing (some) of the pilots of tomorrow starting to experience the joy I feel every day. I love ferry flights and being able to see so much of Africa spoiled only by my own noise and pollution. I love the smell of kerosene in the morning. I love the whirrr from a Dauphin fenestron and I still love hearing the whup, whup of a 212 flying by I'll love it every day until the doc tells me that I'm a danger to my passengers, or my company tells me that I'm too much of a dinosaur to be of any use to anybody any more, or I don't feel that I'm so lucky to be doing what I do.
Soggy....
I hate to burst your bubble....but you have been a hazard to your passengers for decades as I recall!
Those young lads next to you are not students but chaperones assigned to keep you awake so the folks in the backseat don't complain about your snoring.
I hate to burst your bubble....but you have been a hazard to your passengers for decades as I recall!
Those young lads next to you are not students but chaperones assigned to keep you awake so the folks in the backseat don't complain about your snoring.
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: USA
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Helicopters have taken me around the world and allowed me to see things and places many people can only dream of; but the real joy has been meeting hundreds of special people who call themselves helicopter pilots and mechanics. We are, I believe, the last explorers.
HeliFirst
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Lincoln & Norwich
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good and the bad.
Its just knowing you've played a significant part it helping others to join and safely enjoy the helicopter world.
Just too bad so many dickheads got though without any help from me.
Just too bad so many dickheads got though without any help from me.
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: UK
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Well, it'd be a shame for one of the 100 to have no home to go to...
I enjoy supporting the industry & them as it employs, as I wend my way up (well, mostly up) the learning curve. I only wish I could support y'all more.
I guess really it's all the challenges of helicopter flying, the views from up there and the different perspective I get of the world from down here.
I enjoy supporting the industry & them as it employs, as I wend my way up (well, mostly up) the learning curve. I only wish I could support y'all more
.I guess really it's all the challenges of helicopter flying, the views from up there and the different perspective I get of the world from down here.
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: In the Haven of Peace
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sas,
You can't burst me bubble - I'm allowed to sit behind a heated glass windscreen these days (essential in the African heat ) and they even give me lots of tele screens to keep me amused and stop me dribbling - someone said they can tell me where I am and lots of stuff about the engines, but I haven't figured it out yet, but I do like the pretty colour pictures).
I do need the chaperones though, as my eyesight's still good (praise the Lord for contact lenses), but usually only in the bar of a Saturday evening
You can't burst me bubble - I'm allowed to sit behind a heated glass windscreen these days (essential in the African heat
) and they even give me lots of tele screens to keep me amused and stop me dribbling - someone said they can tell me where I am and lots of stuff about the engines, but I haven't figured it out yet, but I do like the pretty colour pictures).I do need the chaperones though, as my eyesight's still good (praise the Lord for contact lenses), but usually only in the bar of a Saturday evening
Sog's, me old friend....
Those are not contacts you are wearing....but Beer Goggles!
As to those screens and things....now you know how a dog watching Televison feels!
Those are not contacts you are wearing....but Beer Goggles!
As to those screens and things....now you know how a dog watching Televison feels!
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: in a house
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I love the sound, the vibrations, the experiences, early morning sunrises, the people, the thrills of riding such a versitile beast.
It really comprises all the best things in life. It has to be the most enjoyable thing one can do, i think. Well...........i guess thats open to interpretation.
cheers!
It really comprises all the best things in life. It has to be the most enjoyable thing one can do, i think. Well...........i guess thats open to interpretation.
cheers!
Doing the job I always wanted to do, and enjoying it as much as I thought I would.
Just yesterday climbing back into a H269 having only flown A109 for a while, i couldn't get the grin off my face.
V.
Just yesterday climbing back into a H269 having only flown A109 for a while, i couldn't get the grin off my face.
V.
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: stand by one
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I love being out on a bright hard frosty morning when there is nobody else in the sky and the radio is quiet!
Looking down on the landscape is magestic and is my paradise
Raven
Looking down on the landscape is magestic and is my paradise
Raven
Hovering AND talking
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Propping up bars in the Lands of D H Lawrence and Bishop Bonner
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Although not part of the “helicopter industry” yet, I’ve found that it’s a close-knit community. Everyone I have met or with whom I have corresponded, has been very helpful in giving advice and tips on my future career change (y’all know who you are and thank you – it’s much appreciated). I have received encouragement from all quarters. You’re decent bunch, guys and gals and would be proud to be one of your number in the future.
Cheers
Whirls
Cheers
Whirls
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: KPHL
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I have little that's new to add, but I'll try.
It may be true that helicopters are the most challenging machines that are routinely operated. That challenge is enhanced by our personal goals to get a little bit better every time.
When I go to work, I never really know what I'll be doing that day. Could be piles of paperwork or pulling someone off a mountain in poor weather.
The work we do makes a difference to the people we serve. Whether its a victim rescued, a heli-tour customer, or moving equipment to otherwise inaccessible areas, the customer appreciates what we've done and recognizes the difference we made.
To sum up, we have a challenging, diverse, and rewarding job. What more could you want?
It may be true that helicopters are the most challenging machines that are routinely operated. That challenge is enhanced by our personal goals to get a little bit better every time.
When I go to work, I never really know what I'll be doing that day. Could be piles of paperwork or pulling someone off a mountain in poor weather.
The work we do makes a difference to the people we serve. Whether its a victim rescued, a heli-tour customer, or moving equipment to otherwise inaccessible areas, the customer appreciates what we've done and recognizes the difference we made.
To sum up, we have a challenging, diverse, and rewarding job. What more could you want?
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Variable
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Enthusiasm! Most of the rotor jockeys I have had the pleasure of working with have been full of life, full of beer and full of opinions. Every pilot has his/her own ideas and is willing to fight for them, but is still willing to learn. (Most anyway) The people are the best part of this industry but there is also the personal satisfaction of having a great flight and knowing that you have done a good job, even if nobody else will ever know of it. Oh, yes, and the scenery.
Have a safe and happy Christmas and all the rest ....
Have a safe and happy Christmas and all the rest ....