Category: Safety Check

Safety Check: Dangers of Rotor Downwash

Menominee, Michigan | September 29, 2024

Whenever you transition from a rotorcraft-friendly airport to a more rural environment, you’re bound to experience a few growing pains. A good friend compared the initial presence of a new helicopter as a “bull in a China shop.” The biggest challenge? Managing rotor downwash. Rotor downwash is a byproduct of a rotor disc generating thrust.… Read more »

Safety Check: What’s the Secret to Turbine Time?

Menominee, Michigan | August 25, 2024

Even full-time pilots might find themselves baffled by the catch-22 of logging rotorcraft turbine time. In order to affordably acquire turbine time, you need to have logged hundreds of hours already. Last month at Rotors ‘n Ribs, an experienced pilot, who recently discovered his love for helicopters, asked me if I knew the secret to… Read more »

Safety Check: Hello Dolly

Menominee, Michigan | July 22, 2024

Moving a helicopter after it shuts down can be a cumbersome task, which a helicopter dolly can help simplify, turning it into a one-person job. I frequently utilize an old dolly the Indiana State Police left behind at Goshen Municipal more than 20 years ago. But just because a dolly or moveable platform is available… Read more »

Safety Check: Behind the Scenes of Enstrom’s D.C. Flyover

Menominee, Michigan | June 23, 2024

It’s summer flying season, and helicopter pilots are frequently called upon to fly for airshows or other aviation events. That might involve giving rides, doing flyovers, demonstrating our aircraft, or just parking our helicopters for static displays. Not only are these a great way to show people the amazing inner workings of helicopters, but they… Read more »

Safety Check: It’s Time for Some Campaigning

Menominee, Michigan | May 23, 2024

This month saw Hoosier voters head to the polls for Indiana’s primary election season. With both parties’ candidates virtually locked in, we can expect the 2024 general election campaigns to shift into high gear, and with that, an increase in temporary flight restrictions (TFRs) across the campaign trail. You’ll remember, that in last month’s newsletter, we… Read more »

Safety Check: Play Ball and Fly Safe

Menominee, Michigan | April 21, 2024

The 2024 Major League Baseball is here! Even if you’re not an avid fan of America’s pastime, if you plan to fly through a major U.S. city, you need to be aware of what are called Sporting Event Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs). There are actually eight types of TFRs within the National Airspace System, but… Read more »

Safety Check: The Magic Number for Senior Insurance

Menominee, Michigan | February 18, 2024

It’s always hard for me to see a long-time Enstrom dealer close their business. I recently discovered the reason behind one such closure, and I couldn’t help but wonder, could this have ended differently? The owner had run a successful helicopter operation for many years, maintained a solid relationship with the FAA, and appeared to… Read more »

Safety Check – Surviving an IIMC Event

Menominee, Michigan | January 22, 2024

I recently observed one of my friends, a fellow CFII, helping a pilot perform multiple instrument approaches. For the purposes of this article, I’ll call the pilot “George” and the instructor “Sam.” Sam informed me George had faced a very scary experience the previous week after encountering inadvertent entry into instrument meteorological conditions (IIMC). George… Read more »

Safety Check: Ignoring Safety Puts You on Santa’s Naughty List

Menominee, Michigan | December 17, 2023

Santa fly-ins have become increasingly popular these days. Enstrom just flew Santa to a children’s breakfast in Menominee and our friends at Sweet Helicopters down in Fort Wayne chartered Santa from Indy Metro Airport to the Indiana State Museum. If you’re ever assigned to flying Santa Claus, be sure to double check your helicopter’s weight… Read more »