jokearrow Posted November 29, 2002 Posted November 29, 2002 I just returned from the Robinson Safety course. I think due to the fact that Robinsons are used by the average Joe, the stupid little mistakes that can kill us all happen even more frequently by low time, out of their league, non thinking pilots. Some of the stories are mind boggling and could fill this website up. From people walking into rotors to bad weather to pushing the machine to extremes (especially those down under) we can learn from them all. What NOT to do with a Helicopter!!! Tim Tucker could really tell some amazing incidents.....Wish someone like that would post here... Quote
russell Posted July 30, 2004 Posted July 30, 2004 Is the program worth the cost?andDo they make the course entertaining or is it a bore? Quote
yzchopper Posted July 30, 2004 Posted July 30, 2004 The course is definitely worth the cost for what you learn. It's not very entertaining but the info you get makes it all worth the while. There is some stuff that may be entertaining to you but I did not find there to be very much. Like the story that was told about the guy who came into an airport and fueled up and when he went to leave he could not hold a hover. So he and his passenger scooted across the tarmac and then tried to do a running take off. That did not work so the pilot stopped at the end of the taxiway and the passenger got out, then the helicopter started to do another running take off, but the real funny part was that the passenger was running next to the helicopter and when the helicopter started to get airborn the passenger jumped on the skid opened the door, got in and they flew off. Tim actually witnessed this at an airport. Ask him about if he is there. He was in Australia when I took the course in Feb.. He is the one who usually does the safety course. Anyway I thought the course was worth going to. Good luck Steve ::rotorhead:: Quote
Fuzzy the Flying Buddha Posted July 31, 2004 Posted July 31, 2004 ROFLMAO!!! I think one guy in our class actually fell out of his chair after hearing that story, i know i nearly did... I still can't believe it. Amazing some of the stuff that goes on out there. But definitely ask him to tell the story if he forgets to, it's hilarious the way he tells it.The one story that really scares you is the one where the guy gets out of his helicopter, which landed close to his wife and daughter who were waiting for him. The daughter hadn't seen him for a bit so she ran up to meet him. When she got to him he grabbed her and lifted her into the air, prolly cuz he had done it tons of times before that, but this time forgot to clear the helicopter before he did it... I think you get the picture ... sad stuff Quote
yzchopper Posted July 31, 2004 Posted July 31, 2004 Ya I remember that story and it truely is sad. After hearing that one I have made sure no kids (even if they are not mine) do not appraoch the helicopter until the blades are completely stopped. That is unless they are being escorted to the helicopter for a ride, then it is to make sure no one picks up the child in to the air above higher than the entrance to get in to the helicopter. Just my safety precautions.:cool: Steve ::rotorhead:: Quote
sikorskypilot Posted February 5, 2009 Posted February 5, 2009 I learned alot from that class and hope to go back every few years. Lucky me Tim had 3 extra angle game tickets last time i was there. that was a blast. Quote
CaptainDune Posted November 9, 2011 Posted November 9, 2011 I learned alot from that class and hope to go back every few years. Lucky me Tim had 3 extra angle game tickets last time i was there. that was a blast. He must have season tickets or something because he offered us tickets when we were there earlier this year as well. Quote
jim_222 Posted February 9, 2012 Posted February 9, 2012 I am so excited to have just sent my application to Robinson for the course! Let's just hope I get my PPL (or even my CPL!?) by then (July)... Quote
Helidad Posted February 11, 2012 Posted February 11, 2012 (edited) I am so excited to have just sent my application to Robinson for the course! Let's just hope I get my PPL (or even my CPL!?) by then (July)...I wouldn't go unless you have your PVT.. Truth be told, it's much better for you to go AFTER your Commercial... Understanding the technical information they feed you is very tough on a PVT... And beginning your CFI training and lesson plan building with having a fresh RHC Safety Course in your mind goes miles.. Edited February 11, 2012 by Helidad Quote
aeroscout Posted February 11, 2012 Posted February 11, 2012 How does the RHC safety course work? Is it required before starting any robinson training elsewhere ? For example, a flight school flying robinsons only, could you immediately begin training for any certificate and rating without the school ? Quote
Carpenter Posted February 11, 2012 Posted February 11, 2012 Keep in mind, you can't attend the course UNLESS you are at least a private pilot (per RHC). For the CFI's, attending the course will count as a refresher for your renewal. Quote
Goldy Posted February 11, 2012 Posted February 11, 2012 How does the RHC safety course work? Is it required before starting any robinson training elsewhere ? For example, a flight school flying robinsons only, could you immediately begin training for any certificate and rating without the school ? You pay money and they teach you stuff...thats pretty much how it works! As stated, you have to have your PPL to take the course. You can sign up as a student. I think everyone flying a Robbie should take the course. I wish they made you take it before you could solo, but that's what your CFI is supposed to be teaching you. The school is required by commercial operators and CFI's. Some schools may require it before they let you take passengers...it's all up to whatever the school wants to implement. The course itself is taught on Mon, Tues and Wed. You have a one hour check flight in either the R22 or R44 on Thursday (locals do it on Friday usually). So it's about 3-3.5 days of classroom and very informative. You sign up via their website. Most places want you to take the course about every 5 years...which means I am due to take it again. Any questions? Quote
yzchopper Posted February 11, 2012 Posted February 11, 2012 Yeah I am due to take it again as well. I have not been there since Feb 2004. I am enrolled and scheduled for the May 21-24th 2012 class. Will be there the 18-25th of May though, so I will have a couple days to sight see. Looking forward to the tour of the factory as when I was there last time they had just broken ground on the building for the R44 assembly. Looking forward to the rest of the class scheduled stuff as well. Steve Quote
MileHi480B Posted February 11, 2012 Posted February 11, 2012 (edited) If you go through the Robinson new purchase procedure, they actually require you to sign a contract that, in essence, states: you will take the course in the future and until you do you won't take any passengers. They also make you promise that if you sell it, you will require the buyer to also sign the contract. On the surface, that may sound like it's not a big deal, but if you violate that contract, any personal injury attorney can argue that you were operating outside the company's guidelines and use it against you. And if a future buyer balls it up, they (or other victims, on the ground or in the Robbie) can argue that it was your fault for not making the buyer sign the contract. Edited February 11, 2012 by MileHi480B Quote
aeroscout Posted February 11, 2012 Posted February 11, 2012 I see your point, but how does it apply to a non owner, renter, or otherwise ? Quote
r22butters Posted February 11, 2012 Posted February 11, 2012 ...For example, a flight school flying robinsons only, could you immediately begin training for any certificate and rating without the school ? Short answer,...yes. You only need to take the RHC course after you become a rated pilot and you want to do something in a Robbie, i.e. rent / own / work in one! Of course, as already mentioned, "...everyone flying a Robbie should take the course...". I wonder if there is anyone flying one who hasn't?,...perhaps in other countries? Personally, I go down to RHC every two years, to renew my R44 BFR (its also a great refresher for us casual renters). It would be cool if they had a course for the S300 too! Quote
Pohi Posted February 12, 2012 Posted February 12, 2012 If you go through the Robinson new purchase procedure, they actually require you to sign a contract that, in essence, states: you will take the course in the future and until you do you won't take any passengers. They also make you promise that if you sell it, you will require the buyer to also sign the contract. On the surface, that may sound like it's not a big deal, but if you violate that contract, any personal injury attorney can argue that you were operating outside the company's guidelines and use it against you. And if a future buyer balls it up, they (or other victims, on the ground or in the Robbie) can argue that it was your fault for not making the buyer sign the contract. This is the biggest load of crap IMO. I have heard this before, I find it amazing this goes on. Then again, it's no different than the contract you have to sign when you buy a car that says you have to take a defensive driving course (a manufacture specific one) before anybody rides in your car, and that all the following owners do too. Same thing with motorcycles, guns, and I believe there is one on the last jug of icream i bought (stating I will read the nutritional info and eat only the reccomended serving size). Their toys, their rules I guess. Don't like it, find somewhere else to play. /rant over 1 Quote
aeroscout Posted February 12, 2012 Posted February 12, 2012 I was beginning to enjoy that rant. 1 Quote
jim_222 Posted February 12, 2012 Posted February 12, 2012 I wouldn't go unless you have your PVT.. Truth be told, it's much better for you to go AFTER your Commercial... Understanding the technical information they feed you is very tough on a PVT... And beginning your CFI training and lesson plan building with having a fresh RHC Safety Course in your mind goes miles..Thanks for the advice, I always welcome any piece of info and/or help that is offered. As somebody else noted though, you cannot attend if you don't already have at least your private (but they do let you apply with the rating pending, i.e. being a student). I did my first solo yesterday, and I think that I could be done with my PPL within the next two months. After that, I will be on my way for my CPL, and I might be done with it by July (I think it is quite a realistic expectation). The thing is that I have to take the course, apart for the reason of being very useful and informative, because the school I am at, won't consider hiring somebody as a CFI, nor even let you take a passenger up with you on a rental, before you go through the course. So it is one more thing to get checked off on my checklist of becoming employable... Quote
Flying Pig Posted February 14, 2012 Posted February 14, 2012 So there is no flying at the course? Its just classroom? I just finished my CFI in an R-22. I only have 10.2 hrs in one. All of my other flying is in the MD500E (interesting transition!) But Id love to start instructing once I get my 50hrs in R22s. Quote
jim_222 Posted February 14, 2012 Posted February 14, 2012 So there is no flying at the course? Its just classroom? I just finished my CFI in an R-22. I only have 10.2 hrs in one. All of my other flying is in the MD500E (interesting transition!) But Id love to start instructing once I get my 50hrs in R22s. From what I know from the Robinson's website, http://robinsonheli.com/rhc_pilots_safety_course.html there is one hour of flight, and 3.5 days of ground (one of which is devoted to maintenance and preflighting, the rest 2.5 is classroom). The requirements to attend are: 3 hours in a Robinson, of which 1 hour flown within last 30 days; have one (any) rating above PPL, and be able to understand English. Also a current medical is obviously required. Now as far as the cost is concerned, it is $400 for the R22, which is pretty good deal, considering that you would pay $250 to rent one, any way, so for the course itself you pay pretty much $150. They also provide lunch and breakfast (I think) on three days, so that makes it even more cost-effective. I will have more accurate info though once I go through the course, since now I am just sharing what I have read/heard. Quote
r22butters Posted February 14, 2012 Posted February 14, 2012 So there is no flying at the course? Its just classroom?... There's a one hour flight. I've never taken the course in the R22, but the stuff we've done in the R44 was pretty cool! Quote
HeloJunkie Posted February 15, 2012 Posted February 15, 2012 I have also attended and flew in the R44 right after I purchased one...I am getting ready to take it again as well, looking at some time in June 2012. The class was great, the stories were awesome, the tour of the factory left me in awe but the flight in the R44 left me with a great appreciation for the genius of Frank Robinson and what he has done for the helicopter world! Quote
Goldy Posted February 17, 2012 Posted February 17, 2012 You can do the flight now in the R22, R44 or the R66...... 1 Quote
jim_222 Posted February 18, 2012 Posted February 18, 2012 You can do the flight now in the R22, R44 or the R66......with a note: I think that the R66 is only available to owners.... Quote
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