Keith Helwig

A member of the Philip Greenspun's Homepage community since August 12, 2004

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August 12, 2004, on Learning to Fly Helicopters:
Being a certified Canadian Commercial Helicopter pilot type-rated on both the RH22 and Bell 206, I'd just like to add my 2 cents: Helicopters (like any other aircraft) are only dangerous for those who fail to respect their parameters and the environment in which they fly. Helo pilots are trained to react quickly, knowing full well the capabilities and demands of their aircraft. (Something an airline pilot in a fixed-wing "heavy" near MGTOW will identify with around V1 speeds....) :D If you're hoping for a 'turn your mind off/take a drive in the sky' experience, then yes, you're *definitely* headed for trouble in a helicopter. You *cannot* trim a helo in 3 axes and gaze idly out the windshield. (Not recommended, even if you do have an autopilot/co-pilot!) :) An engine failure (and subsequent autorotation) is, however, far less stressful in a helicopter than an engine failure in a fixed-wing aircraft. Why? Your ability to trade vertical & horizontal speed against rotor rpm gives ...