New Moderator
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 5,197
Likes: 1
From: UK
New Moderator
After almost seven years, the time has come for me to hang up my Mod's hat. I originally intended to do it for about three years. 
At my request, PPRuNe Admin recently appointed a new Moderator and, as some members have probably noticed, we've been running the forum together for a transitional period. Senior Pilot is an experienced helicopter pilot with military and commercial experience who, during his long flying career, has flown in many different parts of the world and has settled into the Mod role quickly, as I expected he would.
I'm now handing over to Senior Pilot and am confident the forum will continue to move onwards and upwards under his guidance. PedalStop will continue to help with a second opinion when required, and to intervene when necessary.
I’d like to thank you all for making Rotorheads such an outstanding success.
Members who’ve joined in recent years might find it hard to believe but, in 2000 it was good going if posts on a thread reached double figures, the number of views of a thread didn't reach three figures very often and the number on the forum at any one time never exceeded very low double figures. These two threads illustrate the point:
Drying Paint
Dead Forum
Rotorheads is now one of the busiest forums on PPRuNe, one of the two biggest rotary forums on the internet, and the biggest international helicopter forum.
Thanks again for making Rotorheads such a success - a forum is only as good as its members.
Fly safe – and keep posting.
Heliport
(Edit)
I resisted the temptation to mention any names because there are so many people who have helped in different ways to make Rotorheads what it has become. On reflection, I decided nobody would mind if I thanked one member by name: Nick Lappos.
To have someone who's such a highly respected expert in the helicopter world answering questions and joining in discussions would be an enormous asset to any helicopter forum; fortunately for us, Nick liked Rotorheads and settled here. He has made an enormous contribution to the forum over several years, and continues to do so even since taking on a new challenge on the dark side after decades in helicopters.
A few years ago, Nick's contribution led to what IMHO is still one of the funniest threads seen in Rotorheads: Nick Lappos - No More Questions
H.
At my request, PPRuNe Admin recently appointed a new Moderator and, as some members have probably noticed, we've been running the forum together for a transitional period. Senior Pilot is an experienced helicopter pilot with military and commercial experience who, during his long flying career, has flown in many different parts of the world and has settled into the Mod role quickly, as I expected he would.
I'm now handing over to Senior Pilot and am confident the forum will continue to move onwards and upwards under his guidance. PedalStop will continue to help with a second opinion when required, and to intervene when necessary.
I’d like to thank you all for making Rotorheads such an outstanding success.
Members who’ve joined in recent years might find it hard to believe but, in 2000 it was good going if posts on a thread reached double figures, the number of views of a thread didn't reach three figures very often and the number on the forum at any one time never exceeded very low double figures. These two threads illustrate the point:
Drying Paint
Dead Forum
Rotorheads is now one of the busiest forums on PPRuNe, one of the two biggest rotary forums on the internet, and the biggest international helicopter forum.
- The number on the forum at any one time is usually well over a 100 which, bearing in mind we have members in all time zones between the UK and the Antipodes is quite something.
- As the fantastic collection of pictures in our Rotorheads Around the World gallery shows, we have members working in a wide variety of ops around the world.
- I never ceased to be amazed by the wealth of knowledge and experience in this forum. We have experts who are highly respected 'household names' in the helicopter industry worldwide and numerous others who, although they aren’t well-known internationally, are truly experts in their own areas of work.
- Rotorheads now has a well-established ethos: It's a friendly 'crew-room' where we willingly help each other, enjoy a laugh and discuss everything from helicopter ops to highly technical topics. It doesn't often need 'negative' intervention any more because members generally know what is and isn’t acceptable - which has made my role much more enjoyable than it would otherwise have been.
Thanks again for making Rotorheads such a success - a forum is only as good as its members.
Fly safe – and keep posting.
Heliport
(Edit)
I resisted the temptation to mention any names because there are so many people who have helped in different ways to make Rotorheads what it has become. On reflection, I decided nobody would mind if I thanked one member by name: Nick Lappos.
To have someone who's such a highly respected expert in the helicopter world answering questions and joining in discussions would be an enormous asset to any helicopter forum; fortunately for us, Nick liked Rotorheads and settled here. He has made an enormous contribution to the forum over several years, and continues to do so even since taking on a new challenge on the dark side after decades in helicopters.
A few years ago, Nick's contribution led to what IMHO is still one of the funniest threads seen in Rotorheads: Nick Lappos - No More Questions
H.
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 116
Likes: 0
From: San Jose, CA
Heliport,
I have been reading and enjoying this forum for quite a whilte - it must be a few years now - since you've been at the helm. Thanks for your balanced moderation of this sometimes contentious forum. I am but a sideliner at this point (US-based pilot who flies "for fun", yet who hasn't flown in a few months for various reasons) but this has always been The Place To Be for discussion and sharing of views. Godspeed and smooth sailing.
Dave B.
San Jose, CA
I have been reading and enjoying this forum for quite a whilte - it must be a few years now - since you've been at the helm. Thanks for your balanced moderation of this sometimes contentious forum. I am but a sideliner at this point (US-based pilot who flies "for fun", yet who hasn't flown in a few months for various reasons) but this has always been The Place To Be for discussion and sharing of views. Godspeed and smooth sailing.
Dave B.
San Jose, CA
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 600
Likes: 0
From: In the Haven of Peace
Well Done
Heliport,
Many thanks for your hard work and efforts in moderating with a light hand, but with the occasional guidance where you've felt we've needed it.
Enjoy all the extra free time you'll now have
Many thanks for your hard work and efforts in moderating with a light hand, but with the occasional guidance where you've felt we've needed it.
Enjoy all the extra free time you'll now have
Hovering AND talking
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 5,711
Likes: 1
From: Propping up bars in the Lands of D H Lawrence and Bishop Bonner
I'm sure Heliport will pop in occassionally to see us, like the retired headmaster, maybe staring at us over the top of his horn-rimmed spectacles! 
And welcome to Senior Pilot, who, I am sure, will continue the good work!
Cheers
Whirls
And welcome to Senior Pilot, who, I am sure, will continue the good work!
Cheers
Whirls
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 3,012
Likes: 1
From: USA
Thanks, Heliport, for all the work, the humor and the leash-tightening that made Rotorheads what it is - the Best neighborhood for helo drivers and hover lovers to hang out in.
Rotorheads is Heliport's creation, I think, and for that, I thank you.
Rotorheads is Heliport's creation, I think, and for that, I thank you.
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,032
Likes: 7
From: OS SX2063
Heliport
Regardless of us not always being in agreement and the occasional cross of swords, I thank you for making Rotorheads into what it has become.
I've been here since about the beginning and there is no doubt that this is the best Helicopter Forum on the web.
I am sure you will not just disappear from here, but good luck with whatever you decide to fill your spare time with from now on.
Gary
Regardless of us not always being in agreement and the occasional cross of swords
, I thank you for making Rotorheads into what it has become.I've been here since about the beginning and there is no doubt that this is the best Helicopter Forum on the web.
I am sure you will not just disappear from here, but good luck with whatever you decide to fill your spare time with from now on.
Gary
Joined: Aug 1999
Aviation Qualifications: ATP+Mil
Posts: 4,411
Likes: 83
From: Gold Coast, Australia
Heliport,
As always, many thanks for your steady hand and moderate judgements. You have created one of the best sites around, and all credit is truly yours
As always, many thanks for your steady hand and moderate judgements. You have created one of the best sites around, and all credit is truly yours