Who is the best heli pilot in the world?
 

Who is the best heli pilot in the world .

recomend a pilot who is better than you and give a brief reason why they are the best.You could even recomend yourself.

no come on you must have had a mentor in the early days .

I don't know about you but I am a HELICOPTER pilot. Where the H do you get a goofy name like helipilot.

P.S. I think Snoopy would have made the best helicopter pilot in the world, after all he did shoot down the Red Baron.

beany from beany & cecil fame followed closely by muttley.tintin & the captain were pretty useful at steering as well.

best helicopter pilot
 

Igor perhaps

I have flown with lots from all over the world, and the best I have ever seen is between two:

Byron Graham, former Chief R&Dpilot for Sikorsky, and a Marine Corsair pilot in WWII. Civil engineer, and crackerjack TP in every way.

John Dixson, recently retired Chief Pilot for Sikorsky, and an Aero Engineer from Notre Dame, US Army combat veteran (he was at LZ X-Ray, if you saw the movie "We Were Soldiers") and the fellow who guided the S76, S92 and Black Hawk thru development and into production.

In the running, Gui Dabadie of EC. If there is someone on the planet better, I would get chills.

Any Bell guys past or present?

8 Posts and still no mention of John Prince?

I didn't fly with all of the pilots at Canadian in Penticton, so can't comment on many that are probably deserving, but Ev Cameron definitely gets a vote! (I've heard good things about Jan, Bill, and others there)


Perro Rojo, surely you know it was a Canadian, not Snoopy :)

All depends on what characteristics you think are needed by a good pilot I guess. I admire Quentin Smith for the flying he's done, but is he as good with regards to flying skills as others? Probably Not. Now that's not so say I'd like to organise a round the world flight! Arguably I suppose the all round skills needed to safely conduct a trip like that are far more important than the ability to hold a perfect hover or fly by the numbers.

Best (as in most accurate) flying I've seen though was Leon Smith out of Wycombe Air Park. Never seen someone hand-fly so accurately on instruments!

Tony Bonham at Air Evac.

I have never seen anyone handle the R-22 like him :D

That accolade should probably go to any one of a number of pilots who have put their life on the line in order to save another's. :D

Flying Lawyer has as smooth a control touch I have ever seen....pity the way he earns his living however!

John Luedtke, God rest his soul, bounced a Chinook around a Fire Support Base in pursuit of a 175mm gun Captain like no one I ever saw. Almost got him too but the guy was able to dive into the Brigade TOC on the second lap about the perimeter.

Every British Army QHI I ever met.....legends in their own mind most of them.

No question...... Race Bannon.....

Roger "Race" Bannon used to be a highly-placed government agent, but gave it up when his orders began to clash with his principles. He has been serving as Dr Quest's bodyguard and Operations Manager for several years and has come to regard the Quest family as his extended family.

Race can drive or pilot anything with - and without! - an engine, and has an extensive knowledge of weapons and security intelligence. During his years as a government agent, he constructed quite an elaborate network of contacts around the world - many of whom owe him favors that he collects on from time to time. A devoted father to Jessie, Race is fiercely protective of both his daughter and the Quest family. Despite his gruff exterior and cynical outlook on life, he is an idealist at heart. Race remains on civil terms with his ex-wife and Jessie's mother, South American archaeologist Estella Velasquez.

Race is also flight, driving and boating instructor to Jonny and Jessie - which can sometimes be more perilous than any situation to which he accompanies the Quests.

Although he has given up his government commission, Race is occasionally called upon by his former employers to carry out missions that require his specialized expertise. Nevertheless, his allegiances lie first with the Quests.

And here I was all tied up between The Great Mort Ming and Stringfellow Hawk.

Chuck and P.T.

Two, now both retired. Jake Jackson formerly of OATS now retired to France and Dave Humble ex manager flight training of BIH Aberdeen.

Jake was my first instructor and had the amazing knack of beating his incredible standards into people without their noticing the huge level of work he was putting them through.

Dave Humble appeared to have been born to fly and was the finest IF instructor I have ever seen at work. His demonstration of an ILS flown from DH to the hold in reverse left me agog (in a S61 sim).

Thanks to both of these men and many other instructors and training captains I have had a varied and thoroughly enjoyable career. I'd hate to have to get a job!

I think there are some pretty good ones floating around Afghanistan right now.

I think that this question is very difficult.

To me, the best pilot in the world has a combination of skill, knowledge, ability and perhaps most importantly AIRMANSHIP!!!

I have read some of the suggestions with interest, and of the ones listed that I know, I would not consider any of them the best pilot in the world by a long way! :(

I'll keep thinking!!
:confused: :confused: :confused:

I am not so arrogant as to not believe that someone out there is my superior. I have yet to meet him, but he must exist!