Becky Maxson

Solo Spotlight: Becky Maxson

Date of solo: February 11th- 2008
Solo in N9WZ

How did you feel?
I wasn't as scared as I thought I would be. It was such a rush. When my instructor started to walk away, I looked over at his seat and it hit me I was alone, this is my time to shine! Being in control is the greatest feeling ever. When I got back all I could think was- I just flew a HELICOPTER all by myself!! What an accomplishment!

Describe in your own words the experience of our first solo.
My solo was the best experience ever. I gained so much more confidence in myself, and no I fly all by myself. It really is an unbelievable feeling and you wont ever feel it unless you do it yourself. All the decision making is up to you!

What are your long term career goals flying helicopters?
I would like to do tours in Alaska far a while and eventually get into search and rescue or firefighting!

Any advice to future helicopter students?
If you ever get the chance to fly- DO IT I promise you wont regret it! Caution: You will get hooked : )

Heli-Expo 2008 Report

Heli-Expo 2008

Heli-Expo 2008 in Houston was a record breaking event. A major conference sponsored by the Helicopter Association International (HAI) where the helicopter industry gathers to network, educate and mentor, reports from the Expo indicate record breaking attendance and vendor numbers. Russ, Susan and Jon Buttars attended representing High Desert and had a great time. Stop by and ask them about their trip!

Check out Heli-Expo details here.

Also out of Heli-Expo: Sikorsky unveiled a 265 knot helicopter prototype. Using counter-rotating, rigid blades and a fly-by-wire system, the system actually slows the blades as forward speed increases. This addresses the previous challenge of retreating blade stall. Sikorsky insists this is a true helicopter, and not an “airplane they taught to hover.”

In addition, Robinson introduced their first ever turbine at Heli-Expo. It is said to handle much like the R44, and Robinson does not plan to integrate a glass cockpit or autopilot of any sort. Their main focus is to provide a helicopter for VFR, and say that “they’re not interested in anything that distracts the pilot from keeping his eyes outside.”

Read more here.

Robinson helicopter AD needs modification, AOPA says

The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) says that a new Airworthiness Directive (AD) for Robinson Helicopters is redundant and burdens pilots unnecessarily. The AD involves a special inspection of the rotor blades, with a record of each inspection to be documented in the helicopter’s maintenance log. AOPA claims that the special inspection and documentation does not increase safety.

Read the whole article.

Silver State Helicopters Update

On February 4, some of the country’s various local news companies ran the same story: “local helicopter flight school closes without warning.” Without question, the closure of Silver State Helicopters’ 37 locations has shook the industry. Students are still seeking the answers to their “why’s?” and taking legal action in an attempt to recover their money. Upon enrollment at Silver State, students were asked to foot the entire tuition amount. Now, students are faced with repayment of their loans and in some cases, no license and ratings to show for it. Read the initial news article from KSL and others:

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From the AOPA Archives

Night flying is a completely different animal. There are things that are different, and must be taken into consideration. Pilots see differently than they do during the day. It can be harder to see obstacles, as well as FOD. Visual reference is more limited, and there exists a new breed of optical illusions. Also, there is the fact that you should try and focus to the side of what you are straining to see, rather than directly at it. Night departures stress altitude over airspeed for safety. Don’t expose your eyes to direct light for 30 minutes prior to flight, etc., etc. And obviously, emergency landings at night may occasionally result in the infamous “brown pants” joke. Understanding better the conditions of night flying will result in safer pilots. AOPA addresses the issue of flying helicopters at night and offers some good tips.

Full Details

Air Evac Jobs

Air Evac Lifeteam is an air ambulance service founded by private citizens in the rural Midwest who simply wanted better access to health care. Even after 20 years, the West Plains, Missouri based Air Evac is best known for its service to rural areas where health care is far away. With 64 bases in 11 states, Air Evac operates 85 helicopters (Bell 206’s) and works with over 600 hospitals and 700 EMS agencies.

Currently, Air Evac is advertising for pilots with the following requirements: 2000 total time (TT), 1500 of that in helicopters, 1000 pilot in command (PIC) and 100 night. These requirements seem to be among the lowest minimums for pilots seeking work for an air ambulance company.

Get more information.