The Painfully Slow Takeoff Every Commercial Pilot Should Master
Oct 14, 2025When you hit the commercial level, everything changes.
You’re no longer just trying to fly the helicopter — you’re expected to manage it.
That means precision, restraint, and understanding what your aircraft is capable of — without pushing it past its limits.
In today’s video, Kenny digs into one of the most overlooked skills among advanced students and rated pilots alike: the painfully slow takeoff using hover power only.
Hover Power Only — What It Really Means
For commercial pilots, hover power is a benchmark.
You’re not supposed to pull more than what it takes to hover unless the situation absolutely requires it.
That’s the difference between a smooth, professional takeoff and one that looks — and feels — rushed.
When you lift too aggressively, you’re not showing control, you’re showing panic.
A slow, deliberate takeoff using hover power only proves you understand the helicopter’s performance envelope. You’re not just trying to get off the ground — you’re making the machine work for you.
The Problem with “Max Power” Pilots
Kenny’s seen it again and again — commercial pilots coming in from other schools who think “smooth” means “boring.”
They yank collective, overpull torque, and surge into the air because that’s what they’ve always done.
But here’s the truth:
That kind of flying doesn’t impress examiners or employers — it worries them.
In turbine aircraft, every time you overpull, it’s recorded.
Trend monitoring and digital logs don’t lie. You might get away with it once, but sooner or later, maintenance will see it — and your name will be attached to the data.
In a piston helicopter, it’s just as bad. Overstressing the machine shortens engine life, risks failure, and screams inexperience.
Slow, Smooth, Professional
A painfully slow takeoff isn’t lazy — it’s deliberate.
It says, “I know my aircraft. I know my limits. And I’m flying like a professional.”
That’s what examiners want to see. That’s what operators want to hire.
And that’s what keeps you safe when conditions aren’t ideal — high DA, full fuel, passengers, or heat.
As Kenny says:
“Commercial pilots aren’t fast — they’re efficient.”
The difference between a private pilot and a commercial pilot isn’t power — it’s finesse.
Takeoff Smarter — Not Harder
If you’re stuck in your training, waiting for your next check-ride, or trying to transition from private to commercial, remember this:
The small details matter.
The way you start every flight — the way you pick up, the way you apply power — tells the whole story about how you fly.
At H.O.G.S., the Final Approach Course was built for exactly that — to refine your skills, sharpen your decision-making, and make sure you walk into your next check-ride confident, not careless.
📍 FinalApproachCourse.com
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