I've been a helicopter pilot and helicopter instructor for 40 years. Like any new skill, learning the skill can be very challenging. Helicopter flying is no exception. But, believe it or not, once you master the learning curve helicopter flying becomes second nature. Things you used to struggle with you now do effortlessly and automatically without really consciously thinking about it. The helicopter just becomes an extension of your body and brain. Same thing with learning to play the piano.
Very good video! I think it is part of the "helicopter myth" that it is sooo hard to hover, and like balancing on a ball while juggling at the same time. I am quite sure that it would take most people a lot more than 50 hours to ACTUALLY juggle while balancing on a ball :D But this takes nothing away from the beauty of controlling a helicopter. I only pretend to fly a helicopter while sitting at my computer, but with a decent cyclic, collective and pedals it feels so satisfying when you stop thinking and move all three controls in sync.
I completely agree. Juggling while balancing on a ball seems SIGNIFICANTLY more hard lol!! Hey man, a good program with some decent controls gives you a pretty close experience to how delicate a real helicopter reacts. you put it perfectly, it is so satisfying to do it. To this day, hovering is one of my favorite parts of any flight!
Hey man great video! I’m starting to explore the world of helicopter piloting and I had a few questions for you. What was your first flight experience like? Where did you go to school? How much did it cost? And are there any particular schools you’d recommend? Thanks for making these videos man. Newbies like me get so much value from them.
Hey Jack! Thanks for the questions and I'm happy to make the videos. 1. My first helicopter experience was taking a tour flight in Miami. I was pretty convinced I wanted to be a helicopter pilot but I figured I should go up in one and make sure i'm not scared of heights and that it is actually what I want to do..... Man it was way better than I could have ever imagined and now here I am. 2. I went to Mauna Loa Helicopters on the Big Island of Hawaii 3. it cost me about $115,000 ( an absolutely insane amount) 4. I recommend Mauna Loa obviously lol, but any of the bigger flight schools are a pretty good bet. Even though they can be more expensive, you will have access to more instructors, more helicopters, less helis down for maintence, and more likely to have a designated pilot examiner on staff. Keep in touch!
thanks for the video, after coming home from Nam I have hated/avoided flying, but I did go on a Helicopter tour in Branson, Mo (bucket list and impulse ride), pilot had 375 hours, that seems awful low for a tour helicopter pilot....was it? thanks..I also went on a Christmas light tour, was very safe, but I couldn't wait to get my feet back on the ground....i didnt like going real high, can the tour pilots fly lower at a level I feel comfortable at? if so I may do it again...GREAT VIEW from a heli (PS, i flew r/c helis for a while, very fun)
Hovering only "seems" hard because its actually your subconscious that has to learn how to balance the helicopter. So you really can't consciously conquer the maneuver. ,...then some instructors keep telling you that you're moving the cyclic too much, when its not how much you move it, but the timing of when you move it. Anyway, given how many pilots there are in relation to how many entry level jobs there are, I'd say flying isn't really that hard overall. Its actually harder to figure out how to pay for training than it is to learn how to fly. 😎
I start flight school in September of 2024. Currently looking for study materials that will help me pass my written exam for my private license early. I appreciate your videos and any advice you have for this question!
Thanks for the video. Would it be wise or even possible to first complete all the ground school and all exams before starting flight training, or is it better to do both at the same time? I think it would be better to get the exams out of the way first so you can focus on flying. Any input would be appreciated.
Hey Ethan. Good question. In my opinion it's best to do it all at the same time. The only test you are getting out of the way would be the FAA written test but everything else is done in conjunction with flight training. But studying and learning as much as you can before you start training is 100% a great idea!
how is the turbine gig going? Any desire to goto the gulf and do oil rigs? Ive watched the Ax Men segments with helilogging and noted that the job was dangerous and there were some fatalities.
I've been a helicopter pilot and helicopter instructor for 40 years. Like any new skill, learning the skill can be very challenging. Helicopter flying is no exception. But, believe it or not, once you master the learning curve helicopter flying becomes second nature. Things you used to struggle with you now do effortlessly and automatically without really consciously thinking about it. The helicopter just becomes an extension of your body and brain. Same thing with learning to play the piano.
The legend is back let’s go
LETS GOOO
So glad you are restarting these!
Me too!
Very good video! I think it is part of the "helicopter myth" that it is sooo hard to hover, and like balancing on a ball while juggling at the same time. I am quite sure that it would take most people a lot more than 50 hours to ACTUALLY juggle while balancing on a ball :D But this takes nothing away from the beauty of controlling a helicopter. I only pretend to fly a helicopter while sitting at my computer, but with a decent cyclic, collective and pedals it feels so satisfying when you stop thinking and move all three controls in sync.
I completely agree. Juggling while balancing on a ball seems SIGNIFICANTLY more hard lol!! Hey man, a good program with some decent controls gives you a pretty close experience to how delicate a real helicopter reacts. you put it perfectly, it is so satisfying to do it. To this day, hovering is one of my favorite parts of any flight!
Hey man great video! I’m starting to explore the world of helicopter piloting and I had a few questions for you. What was your first flight experience like? Where did you go to school? How much did it cost? And are there any particular schools you’d recommend? Thanks for making these videos man. Newbies like me get so much value from them.
Hey Jack! Thanks for the questions and I'm happy to make the videos.
1. My first helicopter experience was taking a tour flight in Miami. I was pretty convinced I wanted to be a helicopter pilot but I figured I should go up in one and make sure i'm not scared of heights and that it is actually what I want to do..... Man it was way better than I could have ever imagined and now here I am.
2. I went to Mauna Loa Helicopters on the Big Island of Hawaii
3. it cost me about $115,000 ( an absolutely insane amount)
4. I recommend Mauna Loa obviously lol, but any of the bigger flight schools are a pretty good bet. Even though they can be more expensive, you will have access to more instructors, more helicopters, less helis down for maintence, and more likely to have a designated pilot examiner on staff.
Keep in touch!
@@PilotDevin Dude thanks for the advice. I’m actually scheduling a helicopter ride for those exact reasons.
Can't wait!!! Finally....
I know right! Happy to be back
thanks for the video, after coming home from Nam I have hated/avoided flying, but I did go on a Helicopter tour in Branson, Mo (bucket list and impulse ride), pilot had 375 hours, that seems awful low for a tour helicopter pilot....was it? thanks..I also went on a Christmas light tour, was very safe, but I couldn't wait to get my feet back on the ground....i didnt like going real high, can the tour pilots fly lower at a level I feel comfortable at? if so I may do it again...GREAT VIEW from a heli (PS, i flew r/c helis for a while, very fun)
Hovering only "seems" hard because its actually your subconscious that has to learn how to balance the helicopter. So you really can't consciously conquer the maneuver.
,...then some instructors keep telling you that you're moving the cyclic too much, when its not how much you move it, but the timing of when you move it.
Anyway, given how many pilots there are in relation to how many entry level jobs there are, I'd say flying isn't really that hard overall. Its actually harder to figure out how to pay for training than it is to learn how to fly. 😎
100%
I start flight school in September of 2024. Currently looking for study materials that will help me pass my written exam for my private license early. I appreciate your videos and any advice you have for this question!
Let’s Go!
Lets GO!!
Thanks for the video. Would it be wise or even possible to first complete all the ground school and all exams before starting flight training, or is it better to do both at the same time? I think it would be better to get the exams out of the way first so you can focus on flying. Any input would be appreciated.
Hey Ethan. Good question. In my opinion it's best to do it all at the same time. The only test you are getting out of the way would be the FAA written test but everything else is done in conjunction with flight training. But studying and learning as much as you can before you start training is 100% a great idea!
@@PilotDevin Thank you Devin!
how is the turbine gig going? Any desire to goto the gulf and do oil rigs? Ive watched the Ax Men segments with helilogging and noted that the job was dangerous and there were some fatalities.
I bought your online course awhile ago now it seams to have disappeared..
I feel stolen from.
Hey! Course is up and running, feel free to message me on instagram (@PilotDevin) if you are having trouble with it! -Devin