The joy of flying helicopters with the freedom of 3 dimensional flight and the capability to do things other aircraft cannot do makes the helicopter the best machine ever.
There's so many memorable moments, but one moment which I still grin about years later was the freedom of my first solo, taking off and then immediately 'overtaking' a police car which was just below in a 30mph limit with me doing over 60mph.....fantastic:D

Because designing facilities for helicopters is always an interesting challenge and makes you appreciate their unique capabilities.

As for the most memorable moment - I have the privilege of watching the US President's helicade 6-10 times per year; 3 Ospreys and 2 VH-3s, movements all perfectly choreographed. Never gets old.

I love this industry because it's taken me to places that I never thought I'd go. I love that you can fly the same machine doing completely different tasks requiring different skills.
My most memorable moment was my first Alaskan PIC flight, realising a 15 year dream.
Merry Christmas

I have had a very blessed 16 year career so far. I have flown all over the world and have seen sights that very few have seen. I've been fortunate enough to have flown a large variety of different types, from the R22 to the 412 & S76C++.
Right now I have found my niche in crop spraying on the plains of North Texas and South Oklahoma. The challenge of keeping a highly unstable piece of machinery on swath all day never gets boring.
Its not work if you love what you do.....so I've not worked very much lately!

2016 Calendar
 

The visibility from a helicopter is awesome. Having to control a helicopter with all your limbs makes it feel like the aircraft is more a part of you. My favorite memory of flying is ferrying a 500 across Oregon and my wife got to go along. It was great to get to see her experience a longer flight where you see varying terrain and weather. Storms poping out around us with the lighting looked amazing. Luckily we landed just as a thunderstorm was about to hit the airport.

I'm a sucker for machinery and engines, and machines don't come much more impressive than a helicopter - there is something about a lump of metal that can pick itself off the ground and just sit there :ok:

The actual industry is full of interesting and intelligent people too, from extremely diverse backgrounds, united by one passion - whingeing :E

Best moment so far - probably flying family members, run close by seeing what 5000 horsepower, no passengers and a third of a tank of Jet-A climbs like though :}

What a cool thing to do by the way Ned - kudos! :)

First of all I enjoy the helo industry because it brings together a very fun blend of great and down-to-earth people, connected by a common passion, happy because they get to work with what they love. Secondly it's awesome because it's helicopters, so basically the coolest thing man has invented ever.
Most memorable moment might be my first xc solo. But hard to say because there are so many great memories!

Thanks a lot for the christmas spirit! :ok:

I enjoy the industry because flying is a lot more fun than what I do for work. So it is the perfect escape.

My favorite story is when Ned got me a belly skin to finish a helicopter I was having built. :D

I (and a 1000 people like me around Scotland) get to fly in helicopters to go and help people who are having the worst day of their lives and which could turn into the last if we don't get out there and sort things for them. That has got to be the best thing in the world to do with your spare(?) time and helicopters make it even more successful (and we don't have to walk as far). :ok:

Scottish Mountain Rescue, Volunteering to save lives
Team Area : Kintail Mountain Rescue Team in Wester Ross , Scotland
Conditions Central - Kintail MRT - Scotland

Memorable moments?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=04lqdPHb9tI From 5min21s.
First call-out. Night insertion by Sea King (pre-NVG age), six hours probing, and walk out. Not a good outcome unfortunately.

Not a Pilot, justawrench. Thirty plus years, seen a great part of this world as a result. US Army Recruiter had me hook, line and sinker at 17 y.o. ("Son, how would you like to be an Attack Helicopter Repairer - oooohh!!). Cobras for eight years, then on to Civvie side, many makes and models, and more travel. Europe, Asia, Africa, this Yank still loves to travel. But only if it is 'Even Time'. Great satisfaction seeing the beast start, hover, wiggle a bit, and take off to do it's job (Pax, Pony and Cargo). Return is always the best feeling. Give it a bath, inspect the same bits every day, make sure all is good for next flight. If a Pilot ever asked me to go with, what would/should he do if I said no. Don't worry, never happens I decline a ride...

Here's to keeping the oily side down for years to come.

becuase i like free stuff!

my favourite memory would be first solo in the lower mainland of BC, but that might change if i get one of these calendars :ok:

fp

Almost full circle in the industry, ready for the beach soon.

Mem-mom:

Flying over my wife to be, then meeting her that night in town.




Working on Wokka stuff at the moment.

Because the view and feeling of flying a chopper can't be beaten! Though I don't work in the helicopter industry, I do get regular ribbings from my rotary mates about flying planks!

I'll give you two memorable moments to make up for the fact I am a plank driver...

Firstly Intro flying lesson, approaching the R22 hunched over, blades turning, while my mate got out and I got in for a go at the controls... made me feel like I was in a war movie!

Secondly low level checking out elephants in the Kafuwe national park in an E120.

Anyone else :) Doing bailout this week so you might even get it before Christmas :)

Thanks Ned. PM enroute.

Love it because I could meet great people from all around the world.
Love it because employees are always there to help their competitors when they need a hand,
Love it as they're great picture subjects too.

Received one of your Calendars a few years ago - lovely quality pics - so, everyday we are reminded how lucky we are to be able to fly man's cleverest ever invention.

Ever since being a kid watching Chuck and PT, helicopters have been part of my life... One of the best highlights was marrying my wife on the side of a mountain after flying up by helicopter.... :ok::O

Oh I would like one please...!!
 

My best memory so far is probably sending my first student solo, it didn't seem like that long ago that I took that step myself!
If that is a bit cliche then flying with my first fee paying pax inside Mount Wai'ale'ale crater on the island of Kauai in Hawaii blew my mind a bit...as far from staring at an Irish Air Corps Dauphin doing patterns at Carrickfinn Airport in Co.Donegal as one could imagine, but that's where it all started for me!

Cheers Ned!

Naff but true - most of the time it beats working for a living!

Most memorable moment was probably the rescue of 4 divers - all fit and well, but probably didn't realise how close they were to not being found.