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RWS 82 – Test Flying and Lessons Learnt with Tony ‘Squid’ Norton

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The bulk of Tony Norton’s career has been spent as a Qualified Flying Instructor and Test Pilot in the Australian Army.

If your perfect day sounds like flying a glider in the morning, testing the HV curve in a Kiowa at lunch and then jumping in a Swedish jet interceptor in the afternoon then Tony ‘Squid’ Norton can tell you what it’s like!   

Tony is currently the senior aviation instructor and and standards pilot for Australian Army Aviation. He is approaching 20 years of military instructing and 10 years as a graduate of the National Test Pilot School in the US. 

This is a good chance to not only find out about test pilot training but to get an instructor’s slant on it in terms of how some of the approaches that the test flying world takes can be incorporated into everyday helicopter training. 

“This engine is going to fail on me. How am I going to get out of it? Then fly that departure or that approach.”

NTPS at Mojave Airport in California, very close to Edwards, AFB. Sonic booms are a daily event.

If, strangely, you have wondered how calculus can be applied to flying then Tony can tell you that too. The test pilot course syllabus is very math and engineering heavy more so than a place where pilots go to develop their flying skills. 

Tony has extensive Blackhawk experience and has been the senior instructor for Army on the MRH90 type. He spent 3 ½ years posted as a test pilot for the RAAF’s Aircraft Research and Development Unit (ARDU) and has provided test flying support since then. 

One of Tony’s test tasks at ARDU was MRH90 Dust ops techniques development, as well as NVG ops/formation flight for the type.

On the side Tony also lectures at Griffith University on their aviation degree program and is a professional fish farmer.

In this episode we cover:

  • Early military years and deployments
  • Test pilot course and why Tony specifically wanted to attend the NTPS
  • Risks faced in test flying and some history
  • Things that you learn on Test Pilots course that you don’t get exposed to in helicopter training
  • Test pilot lessons that can be incorporated into basic training

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National Test Pilots School website. This is the only civil test pilot school in the US and was the first outside of the military in the world. It is located at Mojave Airport in California.

Example of FLIR improving visibility through smoke.

Have a comment or feedback about Episode 82? Maybe you have some great tips of your own that others can benefit from.  Be part of the conversation by leaving a comment below.

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RWS 81 – Helicopter Job Market USA (2020), Visas and FAA License Conversion with Jared Friend

Jared Friend Hillsboro Aero Academy US Helicopter Pilot Job Market

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Jared Friend Hillsboro Aero Academy US Helicopter Pilot Job Market
Jared Friend is GM of Hillsboro Aero Academy Helicopter Training. He tells of operators now reaching out to schools looking for pilot candidates such is demand growth in the US.

A few years can make a big difference and that is the case now in Jan 2020 for the helicopter pilot hiring market in the USA. For the first time in a while the minimum hours/experience for job adverts are starting to decrease and operators are looking for new hires.  

Jared Friend is the General Manager of the helicopter school division of Hillsboro Aero Academy. Jared’s career has see him move from flying S-61 helicopters straight out of training to instructing, news and other flying roles before returning to flight instruction and leadership roles at Hillsboro where Jared first learn to fly himself.

The helicopter pilot job market is looking like it is starting to improve in the US with Jared now actually fielding calls from operators and chief pilots looking for suitable candidates around the 1000 hour mark with some operators even taking on pilots with reduced hours under placement programs that some schools such as Hillsboro have put in place.

Some of the market drivers are likely to be the fixed-wing airline pilot shortage starting to compete with those pilots that might have entered the helicopter market, some transfer of rotary to fixed-wing positions and the start of expansion in the oil and gas industry again after a very slow period. 

Brand new CPL(H) holders still need to bridge that experience gap to get to that 1000 hour mark. The US market is setup that most helicopter pilots get these hours through instructing as their first job. Jared’s feedback is that because of the movement of instructors onto utility, oil and tour operators that there is ample opportunity for new pilots to pick up these instructing roles.

Internationally the helicopter pilot job market is still hit and miss but its promising to see the job growth in the US at least.

In this episode we cover:

  • Pilot hiring market in the US at Jan 2020
  • Skills in demand
  • Visa options for international pilots looking to work in the US
  • Conversion of overseas licenses to the FAA
Jared spent a number of years flying Bell 206 in the electronic news gathering role.

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F1 Visa information – Hillsboro Aero Academy’s website has additional information not just on the F1 Visa but other international options.

FAA website Overseas License Page – Starting point for converting your overseas license to an FAA one

A young Jared in the S-61 (Civil version of Sea King). He went straight from training on the Robinson R22 into these large helicopters.

Have a comment or feedback about Episode 81? Maybe you have some great tips of your own that others can benefit from.  Be part of the conversation by leaving a comment below.

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RWS 80 – Influencing a Positive Aviation Culture with Natalee Johnston

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There are differing and some very academic definitions for what culture is. I like – “the way we do things around here”.  This is a chat about organisational culture and how it impacts on aviation and specifically helicopter operations. 

Natalee Johnston spent most of her time in the Royal Australian Navy as a Sea King pilot. A fatal crash of a RAN Sea King ‘Shark 02’ in 2005 brought with it an increased focus on culture within that Unit and the larger Navy Fleet Air Arm. As Natalee progressed in her career through pilot instructing positions, Flight Commander, Fleet Air Arm Flight Safety Officer and SQN Executive Officer roles she was observer many of the changes and the programs put in place from the findings of that accident investigation.

Now out of the Defence Forces Natalee is taking that knowledge and applying her background in the safety field for civilian organisations with a focus on human factors and the influence of culture on company or organisation performance.

Flight 2, 817 squadron on the flight deck of HMAS KANIMBLA with Seaking 10 and Seaking 22, on return to Australia from OPERATION PADANG ASSIST.

In this episode we cover:

  • Natalee’s Defence career and how she got a start flying helicopters
  • Culture – what is it / definitions / is it measurable
  • Why it is important and its impact on safety outcomes
  • What are the elements that make up culture
  • What individuals or leaders can do to influence a better culture
  • Culture as a competitive advantage
  • Women in Aviation organisation – goals / scholarships
Sea King Shark 22 – At work Shoalwater Bay

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Links from this week’s episode:
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assimilatedsafety.com – Natalee Johnston’s consulting company

2005 Sea King Crash Investigation – the executive summary from the Board of Inquiry highlights some of the causal themes that lead to an increased focus on ‘culture’ as a safety indicator/opportunity.

Women in Aviation – Australian Chapter – information about mentoring, events and scholarships provided by this organisation.

‘Just Culture’ concept is mentioned in the podcast. The video below is an expansion on that idea.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PVWjgqDANWA

Life on the outside of Defence. Natalee trying her hand at plank driving.

Natalee with MRH90 crew for a flight into Milton Public school March 2018

WAI Australian Chapter March 2019 at Women in Aviation International conference

Have a comment or feedback about Episode 80? Maybe you have some great tips of your own that others can benefit from.  Be part of the conversation by leaving a comment below.

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RWS 79 – Tackling Helicopter Aircrew Distractions with Kimberly Hutchings

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Kimberly Hutchings juggles flying helicopters, running a longline training school, family, being a physical trainer and speaking on safety for high risk industries.

Have you ever taken your eyes inside the cockpit to check a notification or had your preflight inspection interrupted by a phone call? Distractions of all kinds are increasingly a problem for aircrew and they are starting to show up in safety stats. 

Picture for a moment – you are aircrew on a helicopter pre-1995 conducting a preflight on the ramp. For someone to distract you from your task they would have to come out onto the ramp and yell at you to get your attention. Chances are that unless something really important was up that your pre-flight would be uninterrupted.

In 2019 when you preflight you are likely to field calls from Mum asking why you haven’t called in a week, your wife/husband checking to see who is picking up the kids that afternoon and your boss wanting to know if you can work on Saturday. Then there are the social media post notifications, vibrations to let you know a new email has arrived and a recommendation from YouTube that PilotYellow has just posted a new video you might want to watch.  

And that’s just on the ground. Bluetooth headsets, ipads and selfie taking passengers bring a new level of challenges to our ability to focus.

Distractions are enough of an aviation hazard now that the US NTSB include it as the first item on their Most Wanted List.

Kimberly Hutchings is a helicopter pilot, helicopter business CEO, speaker who holds a Bachelor of Psychology, a Masters of aeronautical science specialising in Human Factors and Safety systems and a Masters of Management w/ Organizational Behaviour and Leadership.

Kimberly regularly speaks to groups and companies around the dangers of loss of focus, distractions, emotional intelligence and mindfulness.

In this episode we look at what the problem is, how helicopters compare to other forms of transport and strategies to prevent our attention being pulled away from critical tasks.

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Volomission – Vertical Reference and Longline Training.

Kimberly Hutchings on LinkedIn.

NTSB Most Wanted List – more info on Distractions and the other top US aviation safety concerns.

Training at the Volomission ranch in Texas. Kimberly and her husband Andre run a dedicated external load and vertical reference school.
Helicopters are more like cars than aeroplanes when it comes to distractions from passengers.

Have a comment or feedback about Episode 79? Maybe you have some great tips of your own that others can benefit from.  Be part of the conversation by leaving a comment below.

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RWS 78 – Military to Civilian Transition for Helicopter Pilots with Tarryn Ryan

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After gaining her Wings in South Africa Tarryn Ryan build up experience over a range of different roles both in the civilian market and in two different militaries.

For many military aviators their careers at some point end up being a case of ‘up’ or ‘out’ – either promoted to more non-flying roles or transitioning out into the civil industry. 

Landing that first non-military position can sometimes be hard as you establish yourself again and reorient to the new environment and civil market.

Tarryn Ryan is a pilot who has made the transition twice – once from the South African Air Force and more recently from the Australian Army. Tarryn has some good advice for other aircrew looking to prepare for the transition out of the military.

In the South African Air Force Tarryn flew the Oryx(Puma variant) operationally including regular deployments to the Congo and anti-piracy support missions off the east coast of Africa. After 10 years and reaching Major, Tarryn pursued her flying career outside of the military and landed a role flying a single engined August A119 conducting aeromedical evacuation to rural communities.

Tarryn later moved into Marine Pilot Transfer ops out of Durban operating offshore to ships using A109s.

After a successful application to transfer to the Australian Army via their lateral transfer program Tarryn again found herself wearing green. There she trained on the MRH90 transport helicopter and was posted to 5 Avn Regt in Townsville, Queensland.

Some time later Tarryn again got to experience the transition process and its challenges to her current position, again conducting Marine Pilot Transfer ops but this time of the east coast of Australia.

Some of the things we cover:

  • Reasons people leave the military
  • Timing 
  • Preparation
  • Logbooks
  • Hours – Mil vs Civil
  • Recognition of Qualifications
  • Resume tips – choosing references
  • Using your network
  • Reputation!!
MRH90 course graduation

 

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Transferring Your Australian Defence Force Flying Qualifications to Civil Licences guide.

HAI Military to Civil info page and sample resume.

Transitioning From Military to Civilian Aviation – 12 Steps to Ensure Success – LinkedIn post by Phillip Schantin.

Tarryn’s first job out of the South African Air Force was flying a A119 on aeromedical evacuation out of Durban.

 

On deployment in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Never a dull moment!

 

Short contract on the BK117 in Mali.

 

Oryx commander and the first all female operational crew.

 

Have a comment or feedback about Episode 78? Maybe you have some great tips of your own that others can benefit from.  Be part of the conversation by leaving a comment below.

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RWS 77 – Helicopter Hoist Operations with Rob Munday and David Callen

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Rob Munday and David Callen have extensive experience in helicopter rescue and hoist operations. They provide training through the company SR3 Rescue Concepts.

Hoist operations open up a wide range of additional roles for helicopters. They allow us to get people and equipment into and out of locations which would otherwise be inaccessible or too dangerous to land. Rob Munday and David Callen from SR3 Rescue Concepts help talk us through some of the considerations.

The helicopter industry is so diverse that there will be aircrew that go their entire careers with conducting hoist operations and others where it is a regular activity.

This is a longer episode at over 90mins and provides a very good primer to anyone that has never worked with a helicopter hoist.

Hoisting does take time and exposes the helicopter, crew and people being hoisted to some level of risk. If there is the opportunity to land the helicopter then that is normally going to be the preference.

Examples of scenarios where a hoist is employed:

  • Water rescues
  • Transferring marine pilots to ships where the deck cannot support the weight of the helicopter or rigging is in the way
  • Lowering people or equipment through trees
  • Complex landing areas where obstacles or slope mean that a helicopter can not get low enough to land a skid or wheel
  • Offshore wind turbine maintenance
  • Powerline access

Dynamic Rollout is a term that we cover in the podcast. It relates to the ability for some D-shackles to interact with a hook such that they roll up and out of the hook gate allowing the person or load on the hoist to fall free. The video below explains in more detail. It has been the cause of a number of deaths and is believed to be what happened in the incident that lead to David Vanbuskirk losing his life while conducting a night mountain rescue in the US. A tribute video to David is at the end of this blog post.

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SR3 Rescue Concepts website. Find out more about the company and the courses they deliver.

Have a comment or feedback about Episode 77? Have a particular question about helicopter hoist operations for Rob or Dave? Be part of the conversation by leaving a comment below.

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RWS 76 – Funding Helicopter Training Using VET Student Loans (Australia Only)

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The Australian Government provides vocational training assistance programs that include coverage for commercial helicopter licences.

A bit of change of format for this episode of the Podcast. I’m re-sharing a recording made for the flight school website where I instruct. This one is all about some of the financial assistance that the Australian Government provides that can also be used towards the gaining of a commercial helicopter licence.

* This will likely only apply to Australian citizens. If you live outside of Australia then you might want to skip this particular episode *

VET Student Loans are a Government Loan to assist Australians to gain new skills and qualifications that will improve their employability in the workplace.

These are similar to other Australian Government training assistance programs such as HECS. If you are in the USA then it might be similar to the GI Bill funding that people have used towards helicopter training.

What the podcast covers:

  • 2 biggest questions – employment chances and starting salary
  • What are VET Student Loans and how do they apply to Helicopter Training
  • Eligibility Criteria
  • Typical Diploma CPL(H) course structure and electives
  • 105 hour course vs 150 hour course
  • Costs involved
  • Application process
  • Pros and Cons of using VET Student Loans for your helicopter training
  • How Aeropower has structured the training course

Lifetime loan amount – The majority of students have a lifetime limit of $104,440 to use for VSL (changing in 2020, have a look at study assist website for more information).

This is a loan that has to be paid back. Once your loan amount is drawn down it is passed to the Australian Tax Office for administration.

The loan amount is recovered from your tax return once you start to earn over a threshold amount. Min salary threshold 2019/2020 for repayment $45,881 Starts at Pay back 1 % of the loan amount.

Maximum loan amount – for Diploma of Aviation (Commercial Pilot Licence – Helicopter) is $77,571 (as at August 2019).

The loans can only be used on a Diploma course and not a straight CASA CPL(H) licence course. They are only available through approved VET Student Loan training providers.

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World Helicopter Day – global events on Sunday 18 August 2019

MySkills.com.au Website – list of flight schools in Australia that can provide training under the VET student loan program.

Example VET Student Loan Helicopter Course – outline of the course structure that Aeropower uses for students taking up a VET Student Loan for helicopter training.

Have a comment or feedback about Episode 76? Have a particular question about VET Student Loans for helicopter training? Be part of the conversation by leaving a comment below.

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RWS 75 – Adventures and Survival with Mike Atkinson

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Mike Atkinson has taken skills and knowledge from his aviation background and puts them to the test in survival adventures.

As an ex-Kiowa helicopter pilot, survival instructor RAAF fixed wing instructor, jet and 737 pilot Mike Atkinson has had opportunities to experience a range of aviation operations.  So what does he do in his spare time?

in 1932 two German seaplane pilots found themselves off course and out of supplies in the Kimberley region of northern Australia. This is still a fairly remote area of the world and it was much more so in the 1930s.

The two aviators attempted to make it back to a population centre and after a number of attempts and setbacks were discovered close to death by local Aboriginal hunters. It is a fascinating tale well known in that part of Australia.

Mike with a Kiowa from 161 SQN

Mike Atkinson isn’t a stranger to interesting adventures. In the podcast episode he shares some of the close calls and more interesting times of his posting as a reconnaissance helicopter pilot in the Australian Army in Darwin.

“I did crazy expeditions outside of work like taking my 4m tinny from Darwin to Derby [3000 km+] and the Squadron being on standby with bets taken as to where I’d pull the EPIRB”

Mike was also able to avail himself of a survival instructor course run by NORFORCE , an army reserve unit that patrols remote parts of northern Australia. Australian Aboriginal soldiers form 60 per cent of the unit and here Mike was able to learn a lot about ‘bush tucker’ that is relevant to our discussion.

After trekking across Iceland solo and living in the Middle East desert with only two camels (mother and calf so that he could drink the milk) for company Mike decided that it might be a good? idea to see if he could put himself in the same situation, with the same equipment as the German aviators and survive.

And for added difficulty he would carry with him cameras and drones to film it all.

The result is an amazing film called Surviving the Outback.

In the episode we talk about flying, adventures, risk management, drones and the comparisons between careers in rotary wing vs fixed wing.

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OutbackMike.com.au –  Mike’s website where you can find out more about the film and his background
Surviving The Outback film – iTunes link to rent or purchase Mike’s film

An earlier adventure of Mike’s trekking solo across Iceland and some horrendous conditions. Mike’s camera work has come along way since then!

This footage below didn’t make the film but gives you an idea of the landscape and some of the unique filming/survival challenges on the trip.

Have a comment or feedback about Episode 75? Have a particular question for Mike about his trip or gear? Be part of the conversation by leaving a comment below.

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RWS 74 – Pete Gillies Talks About Tail Rotor Failures

Pete Gilies Helicopter Pilot

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Pete Gillies Helicopter Pilot
Pete Gillies is a legendary, 18,000-hour helicopter pilot who has previously been honored as the Helicopter Association International’s instructor of the year.

Pete’s MD500 is in hilly terrain when a passenger’s hoodie departs the cabin and goes straight through the tail rotor. Listen to what happens next in this recording captured by Doug Williams at his house with Pete Gillies. Extra puppy noises included 🙂

In a machine that by design generates significant torque – losing helicopter tail rotor thrust is one of the less desirable airborne situations to find yourself in. Have your say or share an experience in the discussion below.

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RWS 73 – Pete Gillies Talks About Teaching Autorotations

Pete Gilies Helicopter Pilot

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Pete Gillies Helicopter Pilot
Pete Gillies is a legendary, 18,000-hour helicopter pilot who has previously been honored as the Helicopter Association International’s instructor of the year.

In this interview Doug Williams captures a conversation at his house with Pete Gillies about teaching autorotations. Pete shares a story that highlights the differences, especially in turbine helicopters, between touchdown autorotations with the engine idling and with an engine completely off.

Have you ever flown an auto with the engine completely off – be that on purpose in training or as a real emergency? What differences did you experience? Be part of the discussion below.