technical flight training

northies · July 21, 2007

Okay so i have wanted to be a helo pilot for years and years and years ( i am sure you all can understand that) I did my ppl with the ultimate goal of become an ems pilot. i have been a paramedic for 15 years and have logged many hours as a paramedic on HEMS machines. Once i had completed my ppl i felt confident that i was able to perform th basic skill competently and that although i was at the very bottom of the pile i was certain with more hours my confidence would grow and i would become more capable to fly.

Since qualifying i have lost confidence and feel so incapable that i am now at the point were i always choose to fly with an instructor on board. typically they shake their heads and say that there is nothing wrong with my flying and that i am safe to go it alone. The problem really is what i do with the time i spend in the heli now that i am not being trained. Burning holes in the sky seems to only destroy my confidence and i am not prepared to try anything technical (confined space landings etc) without an instructor. i realise that i am probably being a little bit of a wimp i just dont have the confidence.

I have been training paramedics for the last 10 years and i recognise this feeling and attitude in them. They just need someone to hold their hand until they have found their rhythm as paramedics. the big difference being that the new paramedic can call a mentor or doctor for a bit of advise while treating a pt, while flying the helicopter thats not easily achieved.

I apologise for the long diatribe but i just needed to give you experienced guys some insight. Is there a technical training program that i can do that would help me develop the confidence and the technical skill? I have discussed this with my instructors but they appear to lack a little imagination and or are not really interested, i suppose the money is in new pilots not freshly qualified ones.

Once again i relate this to training paramedics where i take them through a series of simulations that become increasingly difficult in demand and thought process.

its almost like i am looking for an EMS pilot or law enforcement pilot training program with a series of skills that will help me develop so that i will be able to reach the poinit of taking the helicopter out alone and have the confidence based on the experience to perform and perfect the skills alone.

I have read some scary stuff in this forum about instructors teaching their students to knock over orange road cones with the skids etc and i have read equally damning responses from the experienced instructors on this forum regarding the irresponsibility related to this type of training.

We have enough cowboys out there and i certainly do not want to be one of them.

Any help would be greatly appreciated

northies

jehh · July 22, 2007

You are not the first person to have this issue, so first please realise that you are not a wimp, you simply are unsure of your skill levels and do not want to take chances...

THIS IS A GOOD THING, it is how you will become an old pilot, because the bold ones don't make it.

I always tell our students, if you are unsure, go around, don't chance it, you can always try again. Helicopters do not like to be forced into a confined area if you are not on a stable steep approach. The penalty for screwing it up is severe.

My suggestion... Obtaining your Instrument and Commercial certificates often goes a long way towards helping your issue.

Keep in mind that if you have 75 hours, and your CFI has 750 hours, you cannot compare your flying to his. This is why obtaining your CFI rating and training students is such a good thing, you'll learn a ton in the process, and after flying with some 5 hour students, your flying will look great!

Fly Safe!

Jeff · July 23, 2007

I agree with jehh. Get additional ratings. If you are low time ppl, then go out and build your cross-country time for your instrument rating. Go by yourself or take a friend (instructors not allowed). Then start working on your instrument rating. The dual time you get also counts for the PIC time you will need for your commercial. If you want to fly EMS, you will need an instrument rating. Might as well get it now instead of later. 14 CFR 135 requires an instrument rating for helicopter operations conducted under Part 135 rules (which EMS is). And you can seek the advice of a mentor instructor. You just have to wait until after the flight. Good luck!

--Jeff