Are helicopter pilots different?
 

Our engineers have noticed that an awful lot of us appear to be left-handed. I am sure I have seen something on the internet about some research into just that, but cannot find it now.

Anyone help or did I just dream it?

A lefty.

The theory I heard, of why helicopter pilots have more female kids, has something to do with stress. Not ours though, the wives waiting for our endangered butts. They are the ones who worry and this results in more female kids. There are a lot of references but I have enclosed one link below for those interested. Due to copyright laws I don't want to cut and paste onto this post.

Female births outnumber male in times of stress - Everybody - Health Information for New Zealanders

jab

It is a Swedish study so not to be taken seriously... :E

Some years ago, during my time there, all four of the other 240 OCU Puma staff QHIs were left handed. And so was I. Three of us even had the same first name.

Are you not left-handed now then ShyT? :}

Cheers

Whirls

I'm ambidextrous to some extent. I've still got the same first name, though.

Don't reckon you lot ever compared DNA....or perhaps it is a family secret?

The Classic Explanation!

http://www.jollygreen.org/Humor/Reasoner.jpg

Thanks SASless.

I was trying to google for that image last night with no success!

Are we different ?

For sure !!!

Why ?

VIBRATIONS (low medium and high freq)

Does that also explain the high rate of divorce ? :E

Different?
 

I fly both for fun (rather than reward).

For me it really depends on mission or purpose of the flight (the chopper works out @4 times the cost of the fixed wing in rental)

Choppers are more challenging to fly than fixed-wing, requiring a little more concentration and co-ordination. Right now, I get more satisfaction flying the chopper than I do the plane, so I try and fly at least once a month.

Are the pilots different? It depends...

There are professionals and tyre-kickers in both camps.

You're probably right Froggy, try flying with your left hand on the collective instead of in your lap!

You know, I've looked a million times at that illustration that SAS posted and I never before noticed that it's an H-46 and not (as I assumed) a Huey. I guess I made that mistake because the drawing was always associated with Harry Reasoner's comments about Viet Nam helicopter pilots, and the iconic image of Viet Nam for me is the Huey. In my brain, I added 2 + 3 and got 4.

Probably won't be the last time...

Regarding helicopter pilots having a greater chance of bearing daughters, I read a theory once that infrequent ejaculations will tend to produce boys & regular will produce girls. Given that a lot of us work away from home for extended periods, when we do come home for a break the enthusiasm we show in catching up on the husband duties could explain a high rate of daughters. Working away for extended periods also goes a long way to explaining the high rate of divorce!

'Nearer my god to thee'

Sums it all up.

Yes there is a difference.

Definition of a Stiff wing pilot"

Somebody that always wanted to fly but never had the guts to do it.


Definition of a Rotory wing pilot"

Now you know

FH,

I believe it is an H-3....as it was done by an Air Force guy as I recall.

You might note the "TDY" as compared to the Navy/USMC "TAD" notation.

There may be some significance to this, then again, there may not!

I, too, am a lefty! However, I kick a football with my right foot, play the quitar right-handed and use the computer mouse right-handed as well!!

Many years ago, a friend suggested I might be ambidexterous. Since then then, I've felt compelled tp prove he was right - so I use a hammer with either hand......start with the left, get tired, switch hands and continue, then when the right gets a little tired, simply switch back!

As for the helicopter? In my present position, I'm perhaps fortunate to be able to leave most of it to the computers which seem to be able to do it better than either hand!!!! ;)

I as well fly both rotary and fixed, biggest impression after hanging around FW guys for many years is they are much more procedural and structured and proud to wear the golden bars, I guess it comes with the territory, RW guys tend to be more relaxed, laid back individuals, after all if the wx is below vmc, just put her down in a paddock, whereas FW you have to plan this, plan that etc etc...

SASless:Yeah, I wondered about that. But look at the collective "lever." Doesn't the H-3 have a typical Sikorsky "pole?"

I really need to get a life...