A helicopter focused podcast show, by helicopter aircrew for helicopter aircrew.
Everyday, all over the world, helicopter crews are sharing stories with each other. Some of them are captured here.
The Rotary Wing Show mission is to:
- Share the stories of helicopter pilots doing amazing jobs
- Grill the experts on topics that can boost safety or operational effectiveness, and
- Spread the passion that we have for these machines.
About the Host:
Mick Cullen is an ex-Australian Army pilot and now part-time instructor with several side projects (like this show).
^^ everyone thinks this is Tom Cruise but it is actually the Rotary Wing Show host. And a plug for Aeropower Flightschool while we are at it.
He flew Kiowa, Iroquois and Blackhawk helicopters while in the Army and juggled several other hats (Unit Maintenance Test Pilot, CRM Facilitator, Electronic Warfare Officer, Aviation Safety Officer). Along the way he was a NVG captain, multi-engine command instrument rated, operated to ships, conducted special operations flights and served in East Timor, Solomon Islands and Aech.
A survivor of multiple attempts on his life from HUET instructors, not a fan of flying with contact lenses and gas masks, spent 60 days continuous embarked and like most Army pilots has stuff all flying hours to show for it!!
These days Mick moonlights as a R22 and H269 instructor in Brisbane, Australia.
With more questions than answers, this show is an excuse for Mick to learn more and bring a few brave aviators along for the ride.
Hi Mick,
I just found your website and listened to the podcasts from some of the guest pilots you had.
I liked listing to Natalee Johnston, I really was thinking of Joining the Navy as pilot, except I have reached the age cut off. I could apply for Marine Aviation Warefare officer and get into flying that way, has a later age cut off.
I was in the Navy in 1990’s spent time on HMAS Adelaide, and after joined the Army in 1992, got to fly in Black hawks in the Artillery on exercises in Shoal water bay and Wide Bay. The pilots dropped our teams Gun 105mm howitzer from 300 feet in the air, helicopter started swaying, so they let it go,
– 1.4 Million dollar Gun with a bent barrel.
I never thought I could become a pilot back then age 21, but still if I have the chance I would.
I am still thinking of doing my CPLH if I can find a good pathway to building hours and find some opportunities.
I did some contract work for Becker helicopters in 2016, helping to create some e-learning courses for BAK, it was good experience.
Do you have any pointers for a late starter to lift off a new career in Helicopters?
Joel probably your biggest asset initially will be what else you can offer the prospective employer outside of your shiny new CPL(H). Everyone applying for that entry level position will have similar flying qualifications and experience. If you have marketing, website, bookkeeping or as you indicated training material development experience then that gives the small business owner/manager additional ways to recoup value during times when you are not flying.
With your background you know what the military lifestyle is like and if happy with that then it would be a more secure job path if you can get selected. I don’t believe the warfare officer job would gain you much in recognised qualifications outside of Defence as a pilot but you would get great aviation experience and exposure.
Some pros and cons to weigh up that might be better tackled on the phone.
Are you on hiatus? I have been enjoying your podcast since discovering it in the fall of ‘21 – particularly the deep dives into carb ice and the Robinson governor. Hope you are well.
Thanks for asking Rose – yes a bit of a break as I move into a new career. Future podcasts still coming but very much on a ‘as time allows’ basis for a while yet.
What part of the world are you listening from?