Author: Mick

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RWS 22 – Kiowa Warrior in Iraq with Robert Mills

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CWO2 Robert Mills did two deployments to Iraq flying the Kiowa Warrior.
CWO2 Robert Mills did two deployments to Iraq flying the Kiowa Warrior.

Blackdeath 23 was Robert Mill’s callsign in an Air Cavalry Unit operating the Kiowa Warrior in Iraq. Robert has published his journal as a book of the same name covering his two tours in Iraq and the daily challenges of operating a scout helicopter in that environment.

The Bell OH-58D Kiowa Warrior is a light scout helicopter operated by the US Army and based on the Bell 407 Jetranger – but with a heap of extras bolted on.

  • 2 seats, 2 crew
  • 4 bladed main rotor
  • rear cabin occupied by electronics and power boxes
  • rockets, hellfire missile, stinger air-to-air missile, 50Cal gun external load points
  • mast mounted sight

Robert deployed to Iraq the first time fresh out of flight school and learnt on-the-job. In the book you get an immersion into the routine of combat flying ops and what it was like for aircrew in this particular theatre.

In this episode we cover some of the background to the stories and incidents in the book from an aviation viewpoint. The interview also acts as introduction to the flying conditions you might encounter should you find yourself in Iraq one day.

[Tweet “Want a power management pilot? Get an OH58 guy. When you pick it up, you are in the yellow all the time.”]

blackdeath23-book-cover-small

At the time of recording the Kiowa is being retired from US service with the possibility of airframes being sold overseas. That will leave the US Army fleets as an all multi-engine fleet. The Kiowa’s role will be picked up by a mix of Apache and UAVs amid considerable commentary whether this is a good idea or not.

Podcast: Subscribe in iTunes | Play in new window | Download

In this week’s episode:

01:25 Professionalism quote
01:50 New CASA licence
02:30 World Helicopter Day – get involved
03:30 Flying Kiowa in Iraq with Robert Mills author of Blackdeath23
04:50 Joining up as a military pilot
06:40 Why choose Kiowa
08:20 Kiowa aircraft intro and walkaround
11:15 What’s in the rear cabin area?
12:25 Officers vs Warrant Officer pilot streams
14:10 85 flight hours on arrival into Iraq
17:30 Country brief for flying conditions – its hot… its cold
20:20 Best solution for drinking water in the cockpit – the sock method
22:40 Terrain and elevations
24:05 Retrans station resupply
25:31 Flying low over the built up areas
27:06 Kite hazard
28:10 Dust storms
29:48 Impact on the machines
31:30 Preparing aircraft for quarantine exit clearance
33:40 A typical daily routine in theatre
37:30 Equipment that would take in aircraft
39:40 M4 rifle on the glareshield and armour
44:35 Escalation of force and range training
46:42 Soccer balls and crayons
48:45 Night flying on the Syrian border
50:30 Dust landings in Kuwait
52:25 American Sniper movie/book
53:15 Returning after doing the ultimate mission – challenges
56:06 EMS flying – from taking lives to saving lives
57:20 Get the book
58:36 Sponsors trainmorepilots.com

Links from this week’s episode:
Blackdeath23 Book Website – see more about the book
World Helicopter Day

A compilation of Kiowa Warrior videos
[leadplayer_vid id=”54E434970D610″]

[Tweet “Physical conditioning is important. 135deg, its hot. You go through a lot of water!”]

Robert in front of his daily ride
Robert in front of his daily ride
Urban flight ops in Iraq - watch out for the kites...
Urban flight ops in Iraq – watch out for the kites…
Look at all the stuff hanging off it! Not your standard Bell 206.
Look at all the stuff hanging off it! Not your standard Bell Jetranger.

[Tweet “Might find the kite string wrapped around your PCLs or swashplate”]

[Tweet “Completely dusted out. It’s in your cockpit, it’s in your nose, it’s everywhere. Like sandpaper in your eyes while keeping a/c stable.”]

Questions / comments? Be part of the conversation in the comments section below.

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RWS 21 – V-22 Osprey with Mike McKinney

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Mike McKinney is a retired LT Col now working as a civil maintenance test pilot on the V-22 Osprey.
Mike McKinney is a retired LT Col now working as a civil maintenance test pilot on the V-22 Osprey.

 

A battle truck that cruises at 240kts and can land in your supermarket car park – the V-22 Osprey is one of the more unique aircraft kicking around.

Ok, technically its a tiltrotor design but we’ll adopt it as more rotary wing than fixed wing.

The Osprey was developed from earlier tilt rotor aircraft such as the XV-3 and XV-15. After a long-ish development period (20+ years) the Osprey is now fielded by the USAF and US Marine Corps.

Lots of engineering tricks have been built into the design. The rotors and wing fold up almost to the size of the fuselage in what looks like a circus contortionist act that helps storage onboard ships. The engine lubrication/scavenge system also has to work in vertical and horizontal positions.

V-22 Osprey Compilation

Extensive use of computerised flight control systems are required to convert pilot inputs into the right mix of thrust, blade tilt, engine angle, flaperons and rudder deflection to cover the huge operating speed range.

Our guest this week is Mike McKinney who takes us on a walk-through of this amazing machine. Mike is a retired US Air Force Lt Col who flew UH-1Ns and MH-53J/M Pave Low helicopters in the special operations support role.

From 2005-2010, Mike flew the CV-22 Osprey (Air Force variant). He was selected as initial cadre for the introduction of the Osprey into the USAF and helped develop the initial training course and stood up the training squadron for the USAF. His involvement extended to the Operational Test & Evaluation of the CV-22 before it was considered mission capable and accepted into the fleet.

Mike McKinney in front of a USAF CV-22 Osprey
Mike McKinney in front of a USAF CV-22 Osprey

These days he still gets to fly the Osprey as a civilian contractor out of Kirtland AFB in New Mexico on post-maintenance functional check flights and operational check flights, ensuring the airplane is airworthy and mission capable prior to being placed back in service.

This episode was recorded in early Feb 2015. News reporting at the time indicates that the deployment of V-22s to Iraq was a request from coalition partners operating against ISIS. “Once you grasp the full functionality of the V-22 Osprey, the insistence on its in-theater deployment by Emirates leaders is not hard to understand.”[Forbes Magazine]

Podcast: Subscribe in iTunes | Play in new window | Download

In this week’s episode:

00:50 r/helicopters on Reddit – thanks for the plug
01:11 Sponsors trainmorepilots.com
01:20 World Helicopter Day
01:50 V-22 Osprey Tiltrotor
02:40 Mike Mckinney intro – USAF special operations helicopter pilot and Osprey instructor
04:04 Bell 47 lesson then hooked
04:40 Roles of the USAF helicopter fleet – missile site support, VIP, combat search and rescue (CSAR), special operations
08:20 Osprey initial design and operational need – speed!
09:50 Mike’s first V-22 involvement, Fort Worth
10:56 Initial impressions when people see one up close
12:50 Prop-rotor system
14:50 Engines and gearboxes – 6150hp x 2
18:00 Hydraulics
20:55 Cockpit layout and flight controls, helicopter and aeroplane modes
27:00 Acceleration – co-ordinating the engine tilt and mode transfer
30:34 Blades below the fuselage
32:06 Cabin noise levels
33:00 Aircrewman / Flight engineers
33:50 Role equipment and cargo capabilities – OCL, fast roping, hoist
36:50 Self protection equipment
38:50 External load capability
39:50 Internal fuel 13,000lbs @ 3300lbs/hr and aux fuel hook up
41:10 280kts top speed, groundspeed 300kts+, oxygen and heights
43:20 Emergency handling, vortex ring reputation unfounded, autorotation, 170kt aeroplane glide
51:30 Training process, Air Force vs Marines, rotary, fixed wing, straight through, 9 months
54:00 Civil maintenance test flying
55:35 Heavy focus on simulator training
57:40 Concept of tiltrotor is sound, some V-22 shortcomings
59:50 Importance of speed on the battlefield
1:01:55 Next generation of tiltrotors – AW609, Bell V-280 Valour

Links from this week’s episode:
V-22 Osprey on Wikipedia
Bell Helicopter page on the V-22

V-22 Osprey Folding Up Sequence

In flight refueling - puts the size of the prop-rotors in perspective
In flight refueling – puts the size of the prop-rotors in perspective
A Marine Corps Osprey showing off the versatility of the machine
A Marine Corps Osprey showing off the versatility of the machine

Did we miss something about the V-22? Ask below in the comments. If you’d love to have a crack at flying it – what would you do with it?

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RWS 20 – Aerial Firefighting with Gordy Cox

Gordy Cox helicopter pilot firefighting

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Gordy Cox helicopter pilot firefighting
Gordy Cox is the Director of Operations at Redding Air Service and knows a thing or two about helicopter firefighting.

 

A great example of the utility of helicopters is their use in firefighting support. There is more to it than meets the eye though.

[Warning: This is a longer episode, approx 85mins, so you might want to download the file and play locally]

Using underslung buckets or bellytanks helicopters are able to provide water right where it is needed to aid in the fire management of bush and wilderness fires. The ability to use natural water sources close to the area of operations, even if that is a small waterhole or a backyard pool, results in quick turnarounds.

[leadplayer_vid id=”54CEBA4AC393F”]

Helicopters are able to move equipment and people around the fire area quickly and to areas with no other infrastructure. Its this ability to work so closely with ground firefighters that makes them so effective.

[Tweet “Firefighter first, pilot 2nd. The flying has to be second nature. Head is outside 90% of the time.”]

A big part of managing a large fire is the removal of combustible fuel in the path of the fire or around areas that need to be protected such as buildings. Ground techniques such as fire breaks and back burning can be complemented by helicopter carried heli-torches and other incendiaries.

On the flying side it requires a bunch of skill and experience. To deliver as much water as possible the aircraft are operating at high all up weights, often in mountainous terrain, poor visibility and hot conditions. Significant co-ordination is needed between other aircraft, ground personnel and the ability to maintain situational awareness of how things are developing. Being able to talk and listen on several radios at once is a bonus.

Firefighting helicopter redding air service

In this episode veteran helicopter firefighter Gordy Cox takes us inside the world of aerial firefighting to get an understanding of what is involved.

Podcast: Subscribe in iTunes | Play in new window | Download

In this week’s episode:
01:50 Gordy Cox, Director of Operations Redding Air Service
02:11 Based in Salt Lake City, Utah
02:50 Parents in the RAF, Born in Ghana
03:30 1982 RAF in backseat of Nimrods chasing Russian submarines
04:10 Helicopter Adventures for helicopter training and then CFI
05:15 First forestry work dropping hay bales in Robinson R22
06:10 Bunch of hours in Hawaii
07:05 Chief Pilot at Redding Air Services
07:45 Flying in bare feet Hawaii – control touch
09:15 History of helicopter use on fires
10:30 Smoke jumpers
13:30 Standard exclusive use contract daily routine – ‘fire station standby’
17:20 Smoke report actions on and initial attack
20:01 Tools of the trade
22:24 Finding a water source, portable tanks and ‘pumpkins’
25:00 Handling a spot fire
28:20 Campaign fires and helibases
30:30 AirAttack and HelCo, locating dip sites, gates, burnouts
35:50 Helibase accommodation arrangements
38:02 Operations and aviation briefings at the start of the day
39:55 Wrapping building with silver foil, resupply and flying in sprinklers
41:10 Aerial fire starting – plastic sphere device (PSD) and heli-torch
46:10 Fire bucket characteristics and operation, typical bucket weight/machine combos
50:34 Drop methods for different fuel types
52:10 Belly Tanks
54:10 Retardants, gels and foams
59:30 Flying conditions near fires
1:04:30 Getting a start with flying on fires
1:07:45 Aerial highrise fire fighting
1:08:55 Night vision devices and fire fighting at night
1:10:07 Drone use on fires and future applications
1:14:11 Traveling gnomes Timothy and Tabitha in Gordy’s photos
1:18:00 Chris Hadfield’s approach to life
1:19:03 ‘Gordy’ on PPRuNe, Redding Air Service, happy to answer any questions
1:23:06 Sponsors trainmorepilots.com – marketing tip, using the tool snip.ly

Links from this week’s episode:
Gordy is Director of Operations at Redding Air Service
The King Fire in 2014 was one mentioned in the interview.
Chicken Wings Comics Forum
Twitter account for the Gnomes

Gordy Cox flying on a fire in Idaho, 2008
Gordy Cox flying on a fire in Idaho, 2008
Plastic Sphere Device - Incendiary balls
Plastic Sphere Device – Incendiary balls

[leadplayer_vid id=”54CEBAE6D9C2A”]

Gordy’s two gnomes Timothy and Tabitha on an adventure to the Pacific for a satellite launch

Video footage of the Twin Falls Helitack crews 2013 fire season. Credits: David Frey
[leadplayer_vid id=”54CCB0EF9D2A8″]

Heli-torch operations for backburning – like napalm!
[leadplayer_vid id=”54CCB26D88E57″]

[Tweet “Its almost impossible to put a fire out, what we do is manage it.”]

[Tweet “You get to know everyone on the crew. It really is like a family. Work hard, play hard.”]

early helicopter fire fighting bucket trials in 1957 Bell 47
Redding Air Service bucket trials in 1957
firefighters are picked up from helicopter from fire site
Picking up ground crew – beats walking out
Gordy Cox is a helicopter pilot with extensive experience working on forest fires
Many thanks to Gordy ‘G-man’ Cox for sharing his fire fighting experience with us.

Have a question for Gordy or tips on firefighting with helicopters? Was this episode too long, should it have been two parts? Let us know in the comments.

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RWS 19 – Height Velocity Diagram with Shawn Coyle

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Shawn Coyle is an experienced helicopter test pilot with a passion for helping other pilots learn more about their profession.
Shawn Coyle is an experienced helicopter test pilot with a passion for helping other pilots learn more about their profession.

Whether you walk away from a landing after an helicopter engine failure or not depends on many things but one good predictor is the Height Velocity(H/V) diagram.

The H/V diagram (also known as H/V curve and dead man’s curve) represents combinations of airspeeds and altitudes that have been determined for that helicopter type where it will be difficult or impossible to safely land the helicopter.

But how is the diagram or chart arrived at?

What are the conditions it is tested under?

In this episode of the Rotary Wing Show test pilot Shawn Coyle takes us in great detail through the diagram and the machinations that go into building one. Shawn’s experience ranges from civil and military operational flying to certification flight testing and training experimental test pilots.

An author of several well know helicopter books Shawn also on occasion acts as an expert witness and on crash investigations.

After listening to this episode you will have a much greater understanding of how the H/V diagram is derived, what it means for your flying operations and probably a reluctance to let your hover height drift upwards.

height velocity helicopter diagram

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In this week’s episode:
01:20 Weather extremes on social media streams
01:48 Listener voicemail
03:25 Hello to our Croatian listener!
04:00 Height velocity diagram
05:50 Guest Shawn Coyle bio
06:06 Early start to flying in Air Cadets
06:47 Jet training then sent to helicopters
08:16 Freedom of action as a helicopter pilot
09:20 Test pilot school
11:42 Flying with the Brits
15:10 Writing books on helicopters
18:14 Automatic flight control systems
27:05 What is a height velocity diagram
27:50 Conditions used to record results
29:35 Where do you go to perform tests?
30:45 Other names for the curve and misnomers – ‘dead man’s curve’
32:41 Background of the diagram
33:28 Engine failure rates and lack of data
35:10 3 engine failures for Shawn
36:50 Delayed pilot response built into the height velocity diagram
41:03 Low hover point test technique
42:43 Impact of aging aircraft on curve
44:06 Number of data points required to construct the diagram
45:20 Verification process by certification authority
45:50 Paved level surface for touchdown, no zero touchdown requirement
47:10 What happens if you test on grass….
48:45 The scariest point to test and amount of nose down
50:34 Insurance impact of the height velocity diagram and limitation vs performance consideration
52:20 Low altitude, high speed section of the diagram
53:30 Best advice when you have to operate in shaded area
54:45 Applicability for approaches and arrivals
55:55 Ray Prouty dinner story
57:18 Piece of advice that you would pass on
59:20 2015 plans and travel
1:00:30 Little Book of Autorotations by Shawn Coyle
1:01:50 Sponsors trainmorepilots.com
1:02:10 WorldHelicopterDay.com

Links from this week’s episode:
Shawn’s company Eagle Eye Solutions

l_little-book-of-autorotations-shawn-coyle

Shawn speaks at the CHC 2013 Safety Conference about the certification process
[leadplayer_vid id=”54B62D3BA13F5″]

[Tweet ““Measuring with a micrometer, marking with a chalk line and cutting with a chainsaw””]

[Tweet ““Know exactly what the symptoms are and exactly what you are going to do””]

[Tweet ““Never seen a helicopter say beat me, I love it!! (more than Blackhawk)””]
Have a question for Shawn or topics that you would like him to cover? Let us know in the comments.

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RWS 18 – Around the world solo in 17 days with Simon Oliphant-Hope

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Around the world record helicopter simon oliphant hope
Simon Oliphant-Hope next to the MD500 that broke the around the world record in 2004.

A box full of maps, a sat phone, a support crew of 1 in a British hangar, full tanks and off you hop for an around the world record flight in an MD500 helicopter – that’s what Simon Oliphant-Hope did.

Podcast: Subscribe in iTunes | Play in new window | Download

00:45 Thanks for your feedback
01:30 Aaron and Lorena Knapp photo
02:00 Listener shoutout
02:50 Simon intro and Eastern Atlantic Helicopters
06:05 Moving from property to helicopters
07:10 Early helicopter work and starting a company
08:44 Getting a CFI rating
09:50 Idea to fly around the world
10:30 Planning the world record attempt
11:20 Rules for a world record
12:56 Average speed calculated first lift off / last touch down
14:00 Daily routine
16:10 Solo and support crew, getting through Russia
17:50 MD500 as the attempt aircraft
20:26 First attempt in 2001 and 9/11
23:33 Carrying maps and pre-attempt planning
26:00 Home base support crew and comms
27:11 Orthopaedic cushion from Ron Bower(previous record holder)
29:41 Going west bound challenges, Ross Perot Jnr, Dick Smith
31:30 Film flying and James Bond
32:30 Tips for young pilots
34:39 Route map
34:50 Marketing tip – trainmorepilots.com
36:00 Merry Christmas to you
36:30 World helicopter day

Links from this week’s episode:
Simon’s company Eastern Atlantic Helicopters

Flight path for 2004 around the world record flight.
Flight path for 2004 around the world record flight.

Around the world helicopter flight with Simon oliphant hope

In this video Simon also talks about his around the world flight (30sec advert at the beginning)
[leadplayer_vid id=”5494C417C4BC3″]

In 2013 a russian team flew around the world in 44 days with 2 Robinson helicopters – this puts Simon’s achievement (solo and 17 days) into perspective:
[leadplayer_vid id=”5494C3592FCB5″]



Be part of the conversation around this episode by leaving a comment below.

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RWS 17 – Helicopter Aircrew Recruiting with Mark Weeden

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Mark Weeden is the Recruitment Lead at CHC Australasia and is busy keeping 48 helicopters manned by some of the best aircrew talent.
Mark Weeden is the Recruitment Lead at CHC Helicopters (Australia) and is busy keeping 48 helicopters manned by some of the best talent.

Its time to dust off your CV and step behind the scenes of a helicopter aircrew recruiting office so you can be better prepared for your next job application.

Several times in our flying careers we’ll need to go through the process of applying for a position and mostly likely interviewing against other candidates.

As the machines get bigger and more expensive the stakes get higher – both for us and for the recruiters looking to take us on.

In this interview Mark Weeden takes us through the recruiting process for CHC Helicopters. He will also give you an insight into the challenges of aircrew recruiters so that you get a better appreciation of their role and how you can make their life easier (and your future job prospects better).

You’ll find links to resources and sites mentioned in the show further down the page.

Podcast: Subscribe in iTunes | Play in new window | Download

01:05 Instructor renewal out of the way + exam question for you
02:00 Movember team raised over $3300
02:27 Oliver is an ex-C-17 loadmaster now studying to be a pilot
03:03 Chamber of Commerce talk about this podcast to local business owners
03:25 Boeing defence event in Brisbane
03:55 World Helicopter Day teaser
04:55 Employment and interviewing process and Mark Weeden intro
06:22 Mark’s role at CHC as Recruitment Lead and background
09:00 CHC Helicopters globally and helicopter fleet
11:15 Australian CHC basing locations
12:38 What keeps aviation recruiters up at night?
13:30 Recruitment pipeline
16:56 Position descriptions for job listings
18:24 Where are CHC jobs listed and job alerts
20:50 Number of aircrew CVs on file
24:30 Prequalified CVs are pulled for each job opening
26:05 Keeping CVs on file updated and current
27:10 Recruiting team size
28:03 Screening and interview process
30:53 Wombat test, sim check ride, psychometric, reference checks, medical
36:55 Timeline 2 weeks -> months
37:55 Insurance industry impact on aircrew hourly requirements
41:20 Aircrew CV tips and advice
46:35 Cover letters
48:15 Follow up after applications
49:10 LinkedIn best practices
53:46 Catch 22 – offshore hours needed for an offshore…
56:35 Current vacancies and expressions of interest
58:45 Thanks to episode sponsors trainmorepilots.com

Links from this week’s episode:
CHC Career Finder
Mark on LinkedIn
Interview preparation training – these guys know their stuff

CHC Helicopters promotional video:
[leadplayer_vid id=”5488247EE4EE6″]



Be part of the conversation around this episode by leaving a comment below.

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RWS 16 – Helicopter Instructing Tips with Philip Greenspun

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Philip Greenspun is a helicopter instructor in Boston, USA Photo Credit:Ellis Vener
Philip Greenspun is a helicopter instructor in Boston, USA Photo Credit:Ellis Vener

Educating or instructing can be it’s own skill set regardless of the actual content taught. Philip Greenspun is a MIT lecturer and a flight instructor and shares his own approach to flying training.

If you are a helicopter instructor or in a check & training role then brush up your thought processes as we chat to Philip about his experiences and about flying training.

If you are currently a student going through training then you will have a chance to think a little bit more about what you are being taught and what it all actually means when it comes to the application in the air.

Philip has written some great articles about flying, instructing, aircraft type reviews and cross country touring that are worth a read.

You’ll find links to resources and sites mentioned in the show further down the page.

Podcast: Subscribe in iTunes | Play in new window | Download

00:50 G20 conference
02:10 Movember
02:45 Instructor renewal and study tool ANKI
03:50 Philip Greenspun intro
06:00 How to teach people to hover
10:10 Putting the helicopter at risk
10:50 East Coast Aeroclub – Boston
12:30 Teaching autorotations
15:10 Aircraft attitude
17:00 How much a student can cope with
18:30 Blending lecturing and engineering methodology into flight instruction
23:20 Teaching philosophy – Paul Cantrell, Mike Rhodes
25:30 The point of teaching something – autorotation flare speed, mast bumping, low RRPM examples
28:30 Learning a checklist
31:00 Briefing format
31:40 Flight school software
33:30 Favourite aviation experiences
36:00 Where has flying taken you around the world/US
38:30 Feedback from people about flying articles
40:30 philip.greenspun.com website
43:30 How to get more website visitors
45:30 Angel flights
49:30 Tips that you wished you knew earlier
50:30 Instrument flying focus on the AI
53:20 Sponsors trainmorepilots.com
53:50 Get involved – Rotary Wing show on social media
54:30 Question of the day

Links from this week’s episode:
Philip’s website
East Coast Aero Club
Movember charity sponsor page
Anki Flashcard Tool

Philip gives a walk through of the East Coast Aero Club:

[leadplayer_vid id=”546AA20F61D74″]



Be part of the conversation around this episode by leaving a comment below.

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RWS 15 – Display Flying with Dennis Kenyon – Part 2

Dennis Kenyon helicopter display pilot md500

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Display Helicopter Pilot Dennis Kenyon
Dennis ‘the Maestro’ Kenyon

This is part 2 of the interview with British helicopter display pilot Dennis Kenyon. For part 1, listen to Episode 14

In this episode we delve deeper into the preparation, setup and mindset needed to be a display pilot.

Dennis is a CAA appointed Display Authority Examiner and does train and approve other pilots but its not something he takes lightly.

We also talk about a display crash that Dennis was involved in and some of the factors that contributed to that. If it can happen to someone as experienced and skillful as Dennis… the rest of us need to stack everything in our favor.

The Dennis Kenyon Junior helicopter scholarship was set up to commemorate the life of Dennis’ son. Its aim is to take someone that would not normally have been able to achieve a helicopter licence due to factors such as finance and to turn them into not only a pilot but an aviator and an ambassador for aviation.

Past scholarship winner Hannah Nobbs writes:

Being awarded the Dennis Kenyon Junior Memorial helicopter flying scholarship was a once in a lifetime experience. Learning to fly was fantastic, and something I had only dreamed off. The best part was learning from Dennis, his enthusiasm for flying is infectious and following him on his various flying adventures during training allowed me to see so many new places and meet new people in the helo industry.

The scholarship opened up a world of opportunities within aviation, nearly 10 years on I am working as an Aerospace Engineer for a leading Helicopter Manufacturer, have gone on to do the ATPL exams and flown in several parts of Europe.

To any companies that have the opportunity to support the scholarship fund I would say that the potential return from the scholarship to industry is immense. In my opinion it is not so much about encouraging young people to be commercial helicopter pilots, as the extra funds needed to get to a position where you are employable is huge, but about opening up a whole world of helicopters and aviation to a young person, and gaining a lifelong ambassador for the industry.

Dennis is looking to joint venture with interested companies for the future support of the Scholarship. Who knows, we might see a future TV series – ‘So you think you can fly!’

If you know of a company that would benefit from working with a living legend of the helicopter industry on a project like this then get in touch via the comments below or direct to Dennis through his website.

You’ll find links to resources and sites mentioned in the show further down the page.

Podcast: Subscribe in iTunes | Play in new window | Download

01:14 Show sponsors trainmorepilots.com
01:40 Routine before a display flight
03:38 How different is each display sequence
04:50 Salt Lake City crash review
10:44 Training(and suitability) for display authority
14:02 Chuck Aaron and B105
15:25 Warned of display flying due ‘Cavalier’ attitude
16:50 Display flying as a way of promoting type sales
17:59 Messages for Dennis – Dennis Martin, Hannah Nobbs
21:05 Dennis Kenyon Junior Helicopter Scholarship
25:00 Sponsorship and partnerships for the scholarship
26:50 Background to the Scholarship – Dennis’ son
30:10 Next scholarship planning
31:31 Application process via dennis-kenyon.com
35:45 More than being about just pushing and pulling controls
38:05 What type haven’t you flown that you still want to?
39:44 Tail rotor failures x 3 + safety certificate
44:40 A UFO story
48:15 Best advice you can give a pilot

Links from this week’s episode:
Dennis Kenyon – “The Aviation Bureau”
Dennis Kenyon Junior Helicopter Scholarship
Movember charity sponsor page
UK Huey page

Do you know a company that would like to partner with Dennis for his scholarship program? If you do, please point them to this episode and they can contact Dennis through the links above. Lets use our network to get behind Dennis

Salt Lake City Crash at high density altitude:

[leadplayer_vid id=”545EEE160265F”]

A montage of one of Dennis' MD500 displays
A montage of one of Dennis’ MD500 displays
Dennis Kenyon in front of a RAF Gloster Meteor - he had a dual engine flameout at 20,000ft at night and managed to land it safely inside the airfield (RWY closed due another aircraft crash)
Dennis Kenyon in front of a RAF Gloster Meteor – he had a dual engine flameout at 20,000ft at night and managed to land it safely inside the airfield (RWY closed due another aircraft crash)
Dennis Kenyon and Mitsuo Aoyama at the World Helicopter Championships. Mitsuo would later go onto open a beer bottle with a Robinson on Japanese TV
Dennis Kenyon and Mitsuo Aoyama at the World Helicopter Championships. Mitsuo would later go on to open a beer bottle with a Robinson on Japanese TV

Ex-SHM-PC-1450

[gview file=”http://rotarywingshow.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/DENNIS-KENYON-COLUMN-1.doc”]

Be part of the conversation around this episode by leaving a comment below.

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RWS 14 – Display Flying with Dennis Kenyon – Part 1

Display Helicopter Pilot Dennis Kenyon

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Display Helicopter Pilot Dennis Kenyon
Dennis ‘the Maestro’ Kenyon

Display flying has captured the imagination of the public ever since the very first flights. One the longest performing and well respected helicopter display pilots in the world is UK pilot Dennis Kenyon

Note: This is part 1 of the interview. Look for part 2 in Episode 15

Dennis ‘the maestro’ Kenyon got his flying start in the RAF progressing through Tiger Moths, Chimpmunks, Cheetah, Varsity, Lincoln, Meteor, Canberra, Vampire, Hunter, Pembroke, Hastings and Anson types (58 fixed wing types).

After almost taking up a career in the airlines a chance meeting put Dennis on the path to helicopters. As an employee pilot at a UK helicopter and aeroplane dealership, Dennis was able to fly through Europe establishing Enstrom dealerships along the way.

The display flying came as a natural progression to promote the helicopter sales and the rest as they say is history with 1500+ display flights and a world helicopter championship win (+ several placings) coming from it. The CAA has made Dennis a Display Authority Examiner and he has trained several of the current UK helicopter display pilots.

He has worked on several films and TV shows including Blackhawk Down and Golden Eye. To round things out Dennis is a published author and has contributed articles to many flying publications.

Dennis is as passionate about flying as ever – you’ll hear it in his voice. Never short of a story to tell and with a wicked sense of British humour.

A helicopter scholarship that commemorates the life of Dennis Kenyon Junior, his son, is a current focus of Dennis’ efforts and is the only one of its kind in the UK(world?).

He is known alternatively as ‘The Maestro’, ‘Dennis the Menace’ and ‘Dennisimo’. Its also been said that he put the ‘D’ in display flying.

Its a pleasure to bring you this interview with a living helicopter legend.

You’ll find links to resources and sites mentioned in the show further down the page.

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01:05 Podcast length feedback
02:10 Listener email – Arron
03:02 Movember charity fundraiser – http://rotarywingshow.com/mo
03:40 Dennis Kenyon intro
05:40 Early fixed wing experience in RAF
09:55 “600mph fighter jet strapped to a 19yr old’s bum”
11:20 Double flameout at night
14:48 Airline pilot licence but ‘too old’ at 36!
15:40 Learning to fly a helicopter
18:00 Enstrom distributor
19:03 Aviation writing – books and articles
19:30 FAMA helicopter – 2 seater turbine
22:10 Flying around Europe planting Enstrom dealerships
24:32 Reviewing helicopter types and writing them up for magazines
25:42 Blackhawk Down and other film flying
29:40 Helicopter display flying – Mike Meager, Enstrom USA
32:30 Dennis moves into display flying
33:36 Becoming a DAE and training other display pilots
35:00 Clocking over 1500 display flights
36:23 World helicopter championships
39:20 Display helicopter types
40:00 Planning a display routine
42:10 Display maneuvers
45:44 Wingovers – what was that maneuver?
49:21 Top 10 Helicopter Books for Helicopter Aircrew
49:32 Show sponsors trainmorepilots.com

Links from this week’s episode:
Dennis Kenyon – “The Aviation Bureau”
Dennis Kenyon Junior Helicopter Scholarship
Movember charity sponsor page

Do you know a company that would like to partner with Dennis for his scholarship program? If you do, please point them to this episode and they can contact Dennis through the links above. Lets use our network to get behind Dennis

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A page from Dennis' logbook during the fliming of Blackhawk Down
A page from Dennis’ logbook during the fliming of Blackhawk Down
Jerry Grayson's Huey in the foreground, then the two Little Birds, then the Twin Squirrel camera ship. Bobby “Zee” is at the right, talking to Cameraman Mike Kelem. In the distance is Marc Wolff (Aerial Director) talking to Dennis. - Photo: Jerry Grayson
Jerry Grayson’s Huey in the foreground, then the two Little Birds, then the Twin Squirrel camera ship. Bobby “Zee” is at the right, talking to Cameraman Mike Kelem. In the distance is Marc Wolff (Aerial Director) talking to Dennis. – Photo: Jerry Grayson
Left to Right: Jerry Grayson, Dennis Kenyon, Olaf Schumacher Photo: Jerry Grayson
Left to Right: Jerry Grayson, Dennis Kenyon, Olaf Schumacher Photo: Jerry Grayson
Dennis Kenyon aka 'Dennis the Menace' during his display at Biggin Hill on 14 May 1977. Photo Credit: Peter Nicholson
Dennis Kenyon aka ‘Dennis the Menace’ during his display at Biggin Hill on 14 May 1977. Photo Credit: Peter Nicholson
Georgie seen here with Dennis during her Dennis Kenyon Junior scholarship - imagine getting taught to fly by Dennis!
Georgie seen here with Dennis during her Dennis Kenyon Junior scholarship – imagine getting taught to fly by Dennis!

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RWS 13 – Helicopter Longlining with Andre Hutchings

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R44 with external load attached
Andre Hutchings is an experienced helicopter longline pilot and instructor Photo:LA Helicopters

Do you remember how humbling it felt first learning to hover? If you ever want to experience that feeling again then give longlining a go.

The ability for helicopters to move equipment and loads to remote or hard to reach locations makes them incredibly useful machines. Helicopter longlining notches that capability up several levels of awesomeness.

There are utility helicopter pilots the world over that earn their living through this challenging skillset and today we get to find out a bit more about what is involved.

Andre Hutchings is an experienced longline pilot and instructor. We catch Andre between trips to Afghanistan where he is introducing longline work to the military forces there and resupplying outposts. Where you hear in this interview is a super condensed ‘how-to’ longline lesson so get ready to take some notes.

You’ll find links to resources and sites mentioned in the show further down the page.

Podcast: Subscribe in iTunes | Play in new window | Download

00:55 Listener feedback – Brett from Melbourne, Australia
02:07 Leave a review here
02:20 Movember charity event for men’s health – sponsor Mick here
03:25 Future project – if you want to promote helicopters worldwide get in touch
04:02 Quote of the week
04:56 Welcome Andre Hutchings – longing and vertical reference
05:30 Longline work in Afghanistan with US military
06:58 First flying experience – L.A. , instructing, L.A. police department, Columbia Helicopters, MD500, Vertol, Chinooks, country manager in Afghanistan
08:10 Compressed longlining course into an interview
08:30 Volomission longline training company
09:25 Vertical reference vs longline
12:35 Some of the more interesting external loads
13:49 What makes a good longline machine
15:11 Human factors, seating position, fatigue, single pilot
17:34 Preflight planning, load weights, load order, distance, fuel
18:50 Weight and balance, load flight characteristics
20:28 Equipment – hook check, lines, nets, briefings
23:29 Line materials – steel vs synthetic, jacket, electrical line
26:34 Taglines
27:29 Groundcrew and signals
29:44 Aircraft pickup, taking up the slack, lifting the hook clear
33:09 Hooking up the load / transition
37:28 Loads in flight – turns, rolling in and out, spinning loads
39:22 Approach, judging height, speeds
41:40 Correcting a swing
43:25 Cocking off for wind and sight picture
45:06 Christmas trees
46:56 Releasing the load and rigging
51:09 Flight emergencies
53:08 Where people go wrong with longlining
56:23 Remoted instruments
57:34 Volomission longlining course structure
1:01:40 [email protected] / volomission.com
1:03:46 Show sponsors trainmorepilots.com

Links from this week’s episode:
Volomission – Longline training courses
Movemeber charity sponsor page

LA Helicopters Longline Course (rebranding as Volomission)

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Dont’ try this at home! This is the Christmas tree video we talk about in the episode.

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