helicopter Archives - Page 2 of 2 - The Rotary Wing Show Podcast

October 29, 2019October 29, 2019

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

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!!

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

Links from this week’s episode:
Support the podcast on Patreon

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!

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.

August 23, 2019September 18, 2019

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

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS

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.

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

Links from this week’s episode:
Support the podcast on Patreon

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.

March 1, 2015April 11, 2015

RWS 23 – Helicopter Helmets with Mark Jones

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS

Mark Jones is Snr Product Specialist, Aircrew Systems at Gentex Corp and has 42 years of life support equipment experience.

To take us through everything you ever wanted to know about helicopter aircrew helmets we are joined today by Mark Jones of Gentex Aircrew Systems. The modern helmet does much more than just provide head protection as you are about to find out.

Should you get one?
What should you look for in a helmet?
Fitting advice
And how to take care of your helmet so it lasts

That’s some of the topics we cover in this episode.

Most of us would associate helmets with head protection in the event of a crash. Strangely enough that wasn’t the reason aircrew first started to wear them. Early aviation helmets first provided a way to keep aircrew heads warm.

Then came the need to provide radio communication ear cups and later a method of affixing oxygen masks.

[Tweet “When things go south in a helicopter everything wants to stab at you/puncture holes in your helmet”]

The modern helicopter helmet has a big focus on crash protection as seen in the bulk of styrofoam that they contain. We also now use them to mount visors, microphones, NVDs, HUDs, torches, gas masks, face shields and more advanced audio electronics.

Not to mention a place to mount cool helmet patches!

After listening to this interview you will have a much great appreciation for the design that goes into a helmet and the job that it does for you. You might even be able to get a discount on your flight insurance to help offset the initial investment.

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

In this week’s episode:
01:08 Helicopter Aircrew Helmets – Mark Jones, Gentex
02:02 HAI Heli-Expo 2015 – past guests Shawn Coyle, Robert Feerst
02:45 World Helicopter Day events 16 Aug 2015
04:25 42 years working on aircrew helmets and Mark’s role at Gentex
06:23 F-117 Stealth Fighter
08:00 Working at Gentex day to day
09:15 The case for wearing a helicopter helmet
11:50 Gentex company background and shift into helmets
15:15 First pilot helmets and helicopter roles
17:05 Other functions of a helmet + G-force absorption
19:09 Noise attenuation
20:30 Anatomy and construction of a helicopter helmet
26:10 Thermal plastic liner (TPL)
27:53 Helicopter helmets vs jets vs motorbikes
28:55 What to look for in a helicopter helmet
31:30 Minimising helmet hot spots
34:00 Wearing glasses under helmet earcups – 2-fold problem
36:40 Looking after your helmet and servicing
38:50 External scratches and impact on helmet protection
41:50 Helmet warranties and costs(/investment)
44:10 Buying 2nd hand helmet – helmet inspection
46:00 Active noise reduction (ANR) and Communications Ear Plugs (CEP)
48:35 Final tips and future advances
51:10 Insurance company discounts on flight insurance
52:40 Episode Sponsors trainmorepilots.com

Links from this week’s episode:
Gentex Helicopter Helmets Webpage
US Army Aeromedical Research Laboratory
World Helicopter Day

Documentary on the evolution of the US Army helicopter helmet
[leadplayer_vid id=”54E70B247B9F8″]

[Tweet “85% of impact protection is provided by the styrofoam layer in the helmet”]

[Tweet “DO NOT compress the styrofoam to try and get rid of helmet hot spots”]

Modern helicopter aircrew helmets mount a whole range of accessory items.

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

November 9, 2014April 11, 2015

RWS 15 – Display Flying with Dennis Kenyon – Part 2

Dennis Kenyon helicopter display pilot md500

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS

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

[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.

November 4, 2014January 15, 2016

RWS 14 – Display Flying with Dennis Kenyon – Part 1

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS

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.

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

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

[leadplayer_vid id=”5458454517148″]
[leadplayer_vid id=”5458458D460D6″]

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

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!

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