Author: Randy Sharkey
Safety Check: Summer Flying Tips
As I type this month’s Safety Check, I can hear a group of local pilots discussing their plans to fly to AirVenture in Oshkosh, WI. Organizers expect more than 10,000 aircraft to be there. We’re expecting good flying weather, but the hot summer air can still pose a few challenges. Here are a few tips… Read more »
Safety Check: Vuichard Recovery becoming more popular
In this month’s edition of “Safety Check,” let’s review the recovery procedures for vortex ring state (VRS), formerly known as Settling with Power. Unfortunately, vortex ring state leads to a number of crashes each year, as it occurs close to the ground where there is little altitude remaining for recovery. Vortex ring state occurs when… Read more »
Safety Check: Tweaking the Rotor RPM
Last week, I conducted five check rides over a four-day period. We flew in a Huges 269C, Guimball Cabri G-2, Enstrom 280FX, and an older Enstrom model F28A. While each aircraft operated flawlessly, I noticed many applicants struggled to maintain the rotor RPM in their respective helicopters. The Guimball Cabri G-2 is equipped with a… Read more »
Safety Check – What is a true formation flight?
Recently we had a client request an aerial tour of a property in central Indiana. The flight request involved multiple helicopters. During the pilot safety briefing, it was discussed having one pilot who would make the radio calls on behalf of the other aircraft. Knowing this would be a revenue flight we could not be… Read more »
How special is Special VFR?
Heli-Expo 2023 is being held at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, GA March 6 – 9. As always it is a great event. I would encourage you to attend one or more of the many educational events sponsored by HAI. This year I will be presenting “DPE’s Pet Peeves” on Wednesday, March 8th… Read more »
Bad Habits are self-induced risks
As many of you will attest, Enstrom builds one of the safest helicopters in the world. And if Chuck Surack has his way that long-standing reputation will only be exacerbated with an improved product line that is second to none. However, Enstrom can only do so much to protect us. Once the airworthiness certificate is… Read more »
Bad Habits are self-induced risks
As many of you will attest, Enstrom builds one of the safest helicopters in the world. And if Chuck Surack has his way that long-standing reputation will only be exacerbated with an improved product line that is second to none. However, Enstrom can only do so much to protect us. Once the airworthiness certificate is… Read more »
Keeping the nose straight
Earlier this month our Director of Operations and fellow DPE of Sweet Helicopters, Jeff Schorsch, conducted a recurrent training course for our pilot staff. One of his topics was a review of Loss of Tail Rotor Effectiveness (LTE). So, this month I selected a past accident report, onboard the helicopter was a pilot and passenger.… Read more »
Keeping the nose straight
Earlier this month our Director of Operations and fellow DPE of Sweet Helicopters, Jeff Schorsch, conducted a recurrent training course for our pilot staff. One of his topics was a review of Loss of Tail Rotor Effectiveness (LTE). So, this month I selected a recent accident report, onboard the helicopter was a pilot and passenger.… Read more »
Upcoming Events
Enstrom Maintenance Course, Piston
09/23/2024 — Fri., 09/27/2024Cost: $1,400 Per Person
Location: Menominee, Michigan, USA
Enstrom offers maintenance courses to educate pilots and ground crew. They are I.A. Renewal Accredited.
Event Details
Enstrom Maintenance Course, Turbine
09/30/2024 — Fri., 10/04/2024Cost: $1,400 Per Person
Location: Menominee, Michigan, USA
Enstrom offers maintenance courses to educate pilots and ground crew. They are I.A. Renewal Accredited.
Event Details
Global Defense Helicopter 2024
10/22/2024 — Thu., 10/24/2024Location: Warsaw, Poland
The 11th Global Defence Helicopter (GDH) meeting is scheduled to return to Warsaw, Poland in October 2024.
Event Details