Mick, Author at The Rotary Wing Show Podcast

October 27, 2014April 11, 2015

RWS 13 – Helicopter Longlining with Andre Hutchings

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

October 16, 2014April 11, 2015

RWS 12 – NASA Rotary Wing Project with Susan Gorton

Susan Gorton NASA Rotary Wing Project Interview

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NASA is not just space shuttles, Mars robots and moon landings! Susan Gorton has been leading the NASA Rotary Wing Project for the last 8 years helping to pave the way for faster, quieter, safer and more economical helicopter designs and operations.

You are in for a treat today as you get to hear about the latest work in helicopter research and learn a bit more about what goes into the design and engineering process along the way.

Before her 15 years at NASA, Susan spent another 15 years as a researcher at the US Army’s Aeroflightdynamics Directorate.

[Tweet “‘Man! I can’t believe they pay me to do this’ #helicopter research @NASAAmes”]

Armed with a Bachelor of Science in Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering from the University of Illinois and a Master of Science in Aeronautics from the George Washington University, Susan Gorton has authored or co-authored over 70 publications!

She is the recipient of numerous awards, including:

AHS International AgustaWestland International Fellowship Award
2 x NASA Outstanding Leadership Medals
NASA Exceptional Achievement Medal
Army Civilian Service Medal, and
the Army Research and Development Award.

Ms. Gorton is an Associate Fellow of the AIAA, a member of the American Helicopter Society International Technical Council and former Technical Director of the AHS. She also holds a helicopter private pilot’s license.

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

01:10 Today’s quote
01:30 Brought to you by trainmorepilots.com
01:45 Instructor rating renewal and Australian Part 61 legislation
02:30 Susan Gorton – NASA Rotary Wing Project Lead
04:30 Early career and research – University and Army research
06:05 Love of helicopters – in your blood
06:58 Getting own helicopter licence
09:10 Working at NASA – Aeronautics and not just space
09:50 Pushing forward helicopters
10:40 Coming up with projects and budget
12:20 Rotary Wing Project research history
14:27 How do you get a job at NASA?
17:01 Lots of smart people in the same room
17:38 Equipment and facilities that are used in research (wind tunnels)
20:50 Flight ops vs ground based testing and partnerships
22:10 Ownership of test data and partnership agreements
24:02 Noise characteristics, impulse noise, supersonic flow and bladeslap
25:50 More blades, slower RPM, new blade shapes, operationally suitable
28:02 Tracing NASA research into operational designs
29:10 Apache Block 3 phase gearbox
31:30 5 Areas of research focus for Rotary Wing Project
32:58 Variable speed power turbines
35:10 Reynolds number
35:57 Variable speed gearboxes – 2 speed drive system
37:10 Active rotor concept – how to make a design do more than one thing
39:26 Fluid dynamics and computer modelling, 11th largest supercomputer
42:35 Rotorcraft integration into NextGen (FAA next airspace system)
45:51 Crash test – CH-46 Sea Knight structural drop testing using moon landing trainer
51:48 8000 1-inch dots randomly placed by hand on airframe
53:07 Current best description of how Lift is generated
55:28 Breakthroughs in top end speed and how fast will we get?
58:50 How can line pilots take this information to improve their skills/operations
59:40 Maximum noise situations and how to minimise noise impact
1:05:05 Top 10 helicopter books for helicopter aircrew
1:05:35 Quote reference – Sailor Davis

[Tweet “‘Helicopters have everything for aerodynamicists – don’t go supersonic but the blade tips do'”]

[Tweet “How to make helicopters quieter, faster, more economical, cost effective and still get performance”]

Links from this week’s episode:
NASA Rotary Wing Project
CH46 Drop Test
HAI Fly Neighborly Guide

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Helicopter drop test gantry preparation by NASA using a CH46 airframe with 8000 black dots

Noise abatement profiles for a light helicopter - HAI Fly Neighborly Guide — Noise abatement profiles for a light helicopter – HAI Fly Neighborly Guide

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

October 6, 2014April 11, 2015

RWS 11 – Whirly Girls International with Dianna Stanger

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Passing on the love of flying to a new generation - Dianna talking helicopters with a group of kids — Passing on the love of flying to a new generation – Dianna talking helicopters with a group of kids

Whirly Girls International president(2014) Dianna Stanger got her start in flying thanks to a need for breakfast eggs on her island home. That started a love affair that most of us can relate too.

Dianna is one busy lady. She manages an airfield and FBO in Texas, operates a flying school amongst several other businesses, is involved in angel medical flights, supports work on her ranch while also supporting several organisations working to raise the profile of aviation.

Her own progression in helicopters went from R22, R44, B206, Agusta 109 and now a EC120 which is her daily ride. Dianna is also a fixed wing pilot with a number of air race trophies under her belt. She is fiercely competitive which you’ll find out in interview and gives any project a huge amount of focus.

Competitors that go up against her soon in pylon racing in Dianna’s new jet will need to be on their toes!

As president of Whirly Girls International Dianna is charged with leading the international support network in raising the profile of the female helicopter aviator, mentoring and providing a source of camaraderie and information sharing.

[Tweet “Its hard for you to talk to a pilot for them not to get excited about what they do”]

Big smiles with 2014 Whirly Girl scholarships - Dianna 5th from the right. — Big smiles with 2014 Whirly Girl scholarships – Dianna 5th from the right.

Whirly Girls has been around since 1955, is an affiliate member of the HAI and also promotes helicopters in general.

There are a number of scholarships that are offered each year including – NVG, mountain flying, agricultural, turbine transition, external load, recurrency, R44 safety course, maintenance, ditching and flight instructor. (I like the one that attempts to poach a fixed wing pilot across to the rotary side)

2015 will see Whirly Girls turn 60 years old with several events and a logo competition planned to mark the occasion.

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

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

[Tweet “44 countries, 1800+ members and dating back to 1955 #whirlygirls”]

00:50 Brought to you by trainmorepilots.com
01:10 Top 10 helicopter books for helicopter aircrew
01:50 New videos on website
02:05 Today’s guest – Dianna Stanger, Whirly Girls President 2014
03:23 Texas ranch
04:10 Animals!
04:50 Horse competitions and competitive nature
05:35 Helipad and airstrip on the ranch
06:30 First introduction to helicopters and shopping
08:10 Connecticut to Bahamas in R22
09:30 R44 with floats
10:10 Jetranger 206B from movie US Marshals
11:13 Agusta 109 Power – speed/endurance, landing on wheels, IFR
13:30 EC120 – daily commuter, ranch work
15:00 Responding to hurricanes
16:45 Managing airfield and FBO
18:02 Flying conditions and terrain in Texas
19:05 Aviation kids programs
21:50 Whirly Girls organisation and history
23:30 Flying scholarships – fixed to rotary, safety, instructing, NVG + more
26:05 Diamond (60th) anniversary – competitions, banquet, logo competition
27:45 Air races and fighter trainer pylon racing
30:33 Angel flights – first helicopter accepted
33:40 Scariest moment in flying
35:57 What do you look for in hiring a pilot
37:44 ‘West with the Night’ – recommended book
39:37 AOPA board position and children’s program
40:25 What’s coming up for Dianna
43:11 Cross country air race – racing aces team, scholarship
45:10 Helicopter pylon racing video
45:35 Helicopter Pilots Model Code of Conduct

Links from this week’s episode:
Whirly Girls International
Racing Aces
Institute for Women of Aviation Worldwide
Xxtreme Aviatrixx

EC120 helicopter being shown to children by Dianna Stanger — Introducing school children to an EC120 helicopter

Dianna in her Jetranger (the one from the movie US Marshals)

Dianna’s jet!
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The Agusta 109 was Dianna's favorite helicopter — The Agusta 109 was Dianna’s favorite helicopter – room, speed, range and attracted plenty of attention

Helicopter pylon racing in MD500 types
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Be part of the conversation around this episode by leaving a comment below.

September 30, 2014April 11, 2015

RWS 10 – Owning a Helicopter School with Heather Howley

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Heather Howley Independent helicopters new york — Heather Howley is the owner and Chief Pilot of Independent Helicopters

For most young helicopter pilots opening your own helicopter training school is probably not high on your list of things to do.

But this is exactly what Heather Howley, this week’s guest on the show, did when she was left in the lurch with a helicopter lease contract to cover.

Heather is the owner and chief pilot of Independent Helicopters based out of Saratoga County Airport, New York.

The company offers helicopter training in R22s and R44s supplemented by a ground based simulator. Like most school charter and airwork ops on the side keep life interesting and the machines busy.

You’ll quickly pick up Heather’s passion and love of flying in the interview. Its hard to imagine her doing anything else for many years to come.

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

01:14 Chinook webinar
01:50 Sponsors trainmorepilots.com
02:27 Heather Howley
03:28 School, working with animals and travel
05:10 Ground school and mentor
05:45 Silver State Helicopters + student loans
06:50 Training as a flight instructor
07:30 Taking Mum for a helicopter flight
08:45 Working as an instructor
10:40 Starting own helicopter company
15:13 Balancing hats – company owner, instructor, chief pilot
16:50 Business awards
18:25 What looking for when hiring pilots
19:38 Trends in the US training industry
21:15 Helicopter training rate
22:05 Veterans program
23:50 Common student challenges
26:12 Local terrain, landmarks, airspace around New York
29:44 Pilots groups and organisations, Girls with Wings
31:58 Mentoring others
33:00 Things I wish I need earlier
34:37 Scariest moments with students
36:58 Tips on getting first helicopter job
37:45 Recommended books
39:05 Lucy the flying dog
41:15 Subscribe on iTunes
41:30 Pilot recruiting interview – send in your questions to [email protected]

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Links from this week’s episode:
Independant Helicopters
Girls with Wings
Women in Aviation

Some of the local scenery - a big park! — Some of the local scenery – a big park!

As usual, please feel free to continue the conversation in the comments.

September 22, 2014April 11, 2015

RWS 9 – Never Work a Day in your Life with John Eacott

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John Eacott is an experienced helicopter pilot with a wide experience — John Eacott is heavily involved in aviation in and out of the cockpit

John Eacott’s aviation career has spanned 49 years and he’s still adding time on top of that today as an active commercial pilot.

He has spent a huge amount of time flying over oceans as an ex-Royal Navy pilot and multiple stints in the oil industry.

He is also the first nuclear qualified helicopter pilot I’ve ever spoken to and we cover that in the interview.

John has worked for several of the larger companies as well as owned his own helicopter company.

Police, firefighting, aerial photography, banner towing, charter, heli-skiiing, traffic reporting, longlining and film flying – you name it – including flying in antarctica. – John has done it.

He is also heavily involved in the industry outside the cockpit being a long time member and office holder in The Honourable Company of Air Pilots and is a frequent contributor to online forums.

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

00:50 49 years in aviation
01:53 Meet John Eacott
02:25 6 yrs old and wanted to be a pilot
03:40 Into the Royal Navy
04:40 Flying training and Wings
06:10 Wessex helicopter on Anti-submarine operations
08:30 Sea King trials unit and introduction to service
10:20 Travelling the globe
10:50 Nuclear depth charges
12:00 SAR
13:08 Nigeria time on oil and gas with Alouettes and floats
15:04 North Sea flying 212s living on the rigs
17:10 1979 working out of Derby and Broome (Australia)
19:30 OMEGA navigation system
21:40 Navigating off a plotting board
23:53 Okanagan Helicopters Australia and S-61
26:02 Bombay and getting engaged
27:55 S-76s in Bass Strait and IFR helicopter operations
29:22 Victorian Police Air Wing (Dauphin)
30:58 TV stations and National Safety Council
31:45 Bob Jane T-Marts and V8 Super Cars
32:40 Low level filming accident
35:05 NSW Fire Fighting
37:05 Trained reactions in emergency
38:30 Twin engine emergencies
39:50 Airmanship
43:42 Guild of Air Pilots
44:40 Pilot-less helicopters
46:30 Aviator – not a systems operator
47:45 Flag flying with BK117
49:55 Antartica helicopter operations
53:50 Iceberg breaking off
56:20 Freedom of the City and Guild Livery, Master Air Pilot No. 1144
57:25 Tips for new pilots
1:02:20 Leave a comment on the blog
1:02:48 Pilot recruiting interview – send in your questions to [email protected]
1:03:50 Sponsors trainmorepilots.com

Links from this week’s episode:
John’s Aerial Photo Gallery
The Honorable Company of Air Pilots

[Tweet “I’ve never worked a day in my life. I’ve just flown for a living. Its not a job, its a vocation.”]

[Tweet “The controls would actually go the opposite way of what you wanted, which was character building.”]

[Tweet “A calm day in the North Sea is 20kts. #helicopters “]

royal-navy-wessex-600px — Royal Navy Wessex similar to what John flew

A BK117 of John's in the Victorian Ski Fields — A BK117 of John’s in the Victorian Ski Fields

As usual, please feel free to continue the conversation in the comments.

September 14, 2014April 11, 2015

RWS 8 – Helicopter EMS in Alaska with Lorena Knapp

Lorena Knapp flys EMS helicopters in Alaska

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Lorena Knapp talks about EMS operations and flying in Alaska on the Rotary Wing Show — Lorena Knapp on EMS flying in Alaska

Alaska is still largely wilderness and remote communities rely heavily on helicopter operations. Air Ambulance services like the one that today’s guest Lorena Knapp flies for can drastically reduce the time needed to get a patient to primary care given the terrain and ground conditions.

Find out about flying conditions in Alaska and get an insight into helicopter Emergency Medical Service (EMS) operations. Along the way we follow Lorena’s career progression to find out how she got her start and worked her way up to her current challenging position.

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

01:12 Meet Lorena Knapp
02:30 Current role with Air Methods and location
04:30 Early flying experience with her dad
06:10 Helicopter training and getting licence
08:22 Hillsboro Aviation training and instructing
09:00 Oil and Gas in Gulf of Mexico
11:10 Tours – Juneau and Denali, Alaska
13:40 Moving into EMS
14:50 Air Methods organisation and history
18:00 EMS operations – Air Ambulance, VFR, NVGs, shifts
20:20 Medical crews and carrying patients, memorable calls
25:10 Really making a difference
26:20 Flying in Alaska
28:10 Terrain and heights
28:50 Day length changes, NVGs
30:45 Impact of weather
34:05 Cold weather ops
38:25 Sectional charts, GPS and navigation
39:55 Anchorage airspace classes
42:20 Helicopter industry operators
44:00 Getting a job in Alaska
44:50 Alaska highlights off hours
47:20 Helping people achieve dreams
49:45 Ninety-nines and other women aviation groups
52:53 Trainmorepilots.com
53:20 Best helicopter novels – send in your nominations

Lorena Knapp in the cockpit of her helicopter with Alaska scenery outside — View from the cockpit flying in Alaska in an Astar – no steam driven gauges here

Map showing the size of alaska against the rest of the united states — In the episode we talk about the size of Alaska. This graphic shows the size comparison with the rest of the United States.

Lorena’s TEDx Talk Video
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Links from this week’s episode:
Lorenaknapp.com – Lorena’s website
AirMethods
The Ninety-Nines, Inc., International Organization of Women Pilots
Whirly Girls

[Tweet “If we were not there, that guy would not now be alive #helicopters”]

[Tweet “Can sometimes log more night flying on the day shift than the night crews”]

[Tweet “The hydraulic fluid starts to get jelly-like at these temps #alaska”]

Got a comment or question about today’s show? Use the area below to leave your thoughts.

September 6, 2014April 11, 2015

RWS 7 – Helicopter Underwater Escape Training with Mick Dowling

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HUET Instructor Mick Dowling talks on the Rotary Wing Show about underwater escapes — Mick Dowling on Helicopter Underwater Escape Training

30 seconds ago you were airborne but now you are in the drink and water is quickly filling your helicopter cockpit while the machine starts to roll upside down – what do you do next?

If you are not 100% certain then you will want to listen to this interview with Mick Dowling, Commercial HUET Manager at the Careflight Group.

HUET = Helicopter Underwater Escape Training

Knowing what to do in those critical seconds after entering the water may just save your life.

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

01:05 Where in the world you are listening from – 31 countries
01:58 PPRuNe thread
04:18 Mick Dowling from Careflight Group
04:34 What is helicopter underwater escape training (HUET)
05:56 Origins of HUET
06:35 Mick’s background and career path
08:00 Careflight Training Services division
09:05 Who needs HUET
11:26 Legislative requirements and currency
12:52 Increase in survival chances after HUET
13:48 Early courses – progress to current best practices
17:11 HUET in a nutshell
18:33 Things to think about pre-flight + preparation
20:57 Reference point – most important thing
22:11 Brace position for impact
25:54 When the helicopter turns upside down
27:45 Losing orientation
29:39 Opening the exit
31:05 Reaching the surface
31:55 Lifejackets
33:05 Going back for others
34:35 Blackhawk in Fiji
35:40 Maximising survival on the surface
38:28 HEEDS / EBS
41:10 Extra tips
42:37 Getting HUET training and course breakdown
48:00 Next actions
49:40 Submit any questions here on the blog
50:48 Next episode… Don’t forget to sign up for email alerts
51:06 Visit today’s sponsor – trainmorepilots.com

“Careflight Group, is one of a few in Australia who are able to provide competency based HUET utilising modular Aircraft Underwater Escape Trainers “AUET”. To successfully egress, and be assessed competent when using the AUET platform, trainees are required to operate multiple Seatbelt and Exit types. As a result we’ve noted aircrew and trainees completing HUET in the AUET tend to experience a high skill retention rate” ~ Mick Dowling

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Links from this week’s episode:
Careflight Group HUET Training
PPRuNe.org thread about the show and video of Steve Kux’s crash

[Tweet “Up to 20% of helicopter ditchings occur inland (dams, creeks etc)”]

[Tweet “Your mobile phone in a chest pocket? In an impact the harness can crush it into you.”]

[Tweet “Identifying your reference point is the most important thing in a helicopter ditching.”]

helicopter-underwater-escape-training-out-of-pool — Mick Dowling briefing trainees prior to crane lift

Helie Ditching1 — The real thing (if you are lucky enough to have floats)

helicopter-underwater-escape-training-in-pool — That ‘water up the nose’ sensation… while waiting for movement to stop

Post escape - surface huddle to maintain warmth and morale — Post escape – surface huddle to maintain warmth and morale

Got a comment or question about today’s show? Use the area below to leave your thoughts.

August 30, 2014April 11, 2015

RWS 6 – Zululand Anti-Poaching Wing with Etienne Gerber

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rhino anti poaching helicopters — ZAP Wing aircrew in front of one of their two R44 helicopters

In this episode of the Rotary Wing Show we head to Zululand, South Africa to hear about how helicopters are being employed in the fight against Rhino poachers. Etienne Gerber is the chief pilot at Zululand Anti-Poaching Wing and shares first hand the challenges his crews face in performing their role.

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

02:00 Leave a 5 star review on iTunes/Stitcher
03:40 Meet Etienne Gerber
05:45 Zululand Anti-poaching Wing
08:03 Air Operators Certificate – Airwork
09:20 What drives Rhino poaching
12:20 Organised crime connections and resourced
13:50 Operational base and game park area of operations
16:25 Aircraft fleet – 2 x R44 + 2 x light fixed wing
17:40 Night Ops
19:20 Impact on poachers
20:30 Pilot experience and support crew
21:50 Training and area familiarisation
24:00 Job appreciation
25:00 Engineers, maintenance, aircraft contracts
26:25 Self protection and not getting eaten
27:40 Flying conditions and weather
29:00 Terrain in operating area
31:10 Airspace, heights and other aircraft
32:58 Navigation, available maps, local landmarks
34:45 An average day
37:55 Flight following
39:37 Flying rates and hours budget
41:00 What happens on a call out
44:10 What are rhinos like
46:10 Poachers
46:50 Rhinos and helicopters
47:40 Drones
49:10 ZAP Wing funding

Links from this week’s episode:
Zululand Anti-Poaching Wing website
ZAP Wing Twitter
ZAP Wing Facebook

If you enjoyed the interview and want to support Etienne and the other aircrew please donate via the button above – its at least worth the cost of a cup of coffee

[Tweet “Averaging 1 call out per day for anti-poaching helicopters”]

[Tweet “Rhino horn is Keratin, same material as your fingernails”]

Got a comment or question about today’s show? Use the area below to leave your thoughts.

August 25, 2014April 11, 2015

RWS 5 – First Person View Quadcopters with Raphael Pirker

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Interview with Raphael Pirker Rotary Wing Show — Raphael Pirker From Team Blacksheep talks about FPV Quadcopters

Flying helicopters doesn’t come cheap but for those of us that can’t get enough of it or don’t have the funds for the real thing then a new technology might be the answer – enter First Person View (FPV) remote controlled aircraft.

The idea is that you strap on a set of video goggles linked to a camera in the aircraft and ‘pilot’ the aircraft as if you were sitting in it. At just meters off the ground you can get all your low flying kicks out of your system.

Add in a GoPro camera and you have your flight to share with people in HD video.

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

This is the video that was my first introduction into the world of FPV.

In Episode 5 of the Rotary Wing Show we get to hear from Raphael (Trappy) Pirker from Team Blacksheep (no, not a Kiwi), a company that manufactures a popular line of FPV quadcopters.

Raphael talks about FPV flying, what kit you need and some of the performance figures of these machines. We also touch on the legalities and legislation issues surrounding ‘drone’ flights – and Trappy should know as he is front and centre in the FAA’s sights with regards to commercial use of unmanned vehicle systems in the USA – see google search results.

Team Blacksheep and some of their designs

We then get into the safety side of drone operations and how they affect us as helicopter operators + plus what we can do to be better aware of flight risks.

[Tweet “15-20Km range, 120km/h & 12000 feet on these quadcopters”]

[Tweet “50K-80K quadcopters hitting the market per month”]

Got a comment or question about today’s show? Use the area below to leave your thoughts.

August 16, 2014April 11, 2015

RWS 4 – Flying In China with Dan Heath

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helicopter flying in china — Dan Heath in front of a EC135 in China

An interview with Dan Heath, a flying instructor and charter pilot flying in China.

Dan talks about the conditions on the ground in China, an insight into the Chinese helicopter industry and some of the challenges and opportunities for helicopter operators there.

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

Oh, and Dan does tourism flights over the Great Wall of China – greatwallhelicoptertours.com

If you are keen to get in touch with Dan for information on flying or aviation business opportunities in China then he is happy to chat with you. You can reach Dan through the website link above.

More to follow when I get back from flying today! 🙂