Basic Pilot Skills that You Learned in Kindergarten!
Sep 29, 2024When you think of helicopter safety and performance, you might immediately envision rigorous maintenance schedules, detailed pre-flight checklists, and cutting-edge avionics. However, one vital aspect that often flies under the radar is cockpit etiquette. Good cockpit etiquette involves keeping the helicopter clean, organized, and fully equipped at all times, and as Kenny Keller highlights in this episode from Helicopter Online Ground School (H.O.G.S.), it plays a crucial role in ensuring safety and operational efficiency. Let’s delve into some key takeaways from this episode.
The Basics of Cockpit Etiquette
From the outset, Kenny Keller stresses the importance of maintaining a neat and organized cockpit. This isn't just about aesthetics; it has significant implications for safety and efficiency.
Kenny begins by pointing out common infractions he encounters: “Doors are open, pilots left and walked away, and there's a FAR/AIM...there's your garbage. And you walked away from the helicopter.” This chaotic scene is more than just an eyesore—it’s a ticking time bomb waiting to go off.
Messy cockpits can lead to misplaced essential items like pre-flight checklists and even controls. As Keller points out, leaving trash in the cockpit and not securing seatbelts can create potential hazards for the next flight. He makes it clear: if you were the one to leave it messy, you are compromising the safety of the very machine you'd be flying next.
Real-Life Examples and Lessons Learned
Personal anecdotes from Kenny's own career serve to demonstrate the gravity of these issues. Recounting his early career experiences, Kenny talks about working for meticulous operators who insisted on an immaculate cockpit. “Luckily, my first full-time CFI job, the people I worked for...they were adamant about when you're done with the aircraft, you put everything back,” he shares. It was a habit instilled in him early on, and it paid dividends in terms of professional conduct and safety.
Taking controls out of the helicopter for weekend rides only to misplace them by Monday is another issue that Keller finds maddening. He articulates the hassle and inefficiency it causes: “Every week I had to go, oh, well, go find one of the bosses. Where's the controls at? Oh, I think they're in So-so's office. Oh, well, the collective's over in the maintenance hangar.” This kind of disorganization tarnishes operational efficiency and erodes trust in a team.
Respect for Equipment Equals Respect for Safety
Respecting the cockpit goes beyond keeping things tidy; it translates into a broader respect for the aircraft and safety protocols. Neglecting something as simple as putting a headset back in its proper place is symptomatic of a larger disregard for the overall aircraft wellbeing. “They take the headset out and they throw it on the couch or they throw it in the floor in the backseat. Have some fricking respect. Put the aircraft back where you found it,” Keller emphasizes.
Good Habits Start Early
One section where Kenny Keller's passion really shines is when he discusses the value of ingraining good habits early on in a pilot’s career. He equates this to the age-old adage, "everything we need to know we learned in kindergarten." Basic principles like cleanliness, organization, and respect for shared resources are the bedrock upon which more complex operational skills are built.
The Professional Impression
Lastly, Keller raises a critical point about the impressions left on clients and regulatory bodies like the FAA. “You never know who's going to come walking up...what if you have a customer coming in to learn about flying helicopters and what do they think if your crap's just laying all over inside the aircraft?” A well-organized cockpit can set the tone for the level of professionalism and care a prospective client can expect.
For Keller, this isn't just anecdotal. “Well, you can ask any of the 15 people that have come here and done check-rides in the last year and a half...they've all come in and said, wow, this is one of the cleanest R-44 Helicopter I've ever been in,” he proudly shares. A clean helicopter not only denotes competence but also instills confidence in both pilots and passengers.
Cockpit etiquette may seem like a minor detail in the grand scheme of helicopter operations, but as Kenny Keller passionately illustrates, it carries significant weight. By fostering a culture of cleanliness, respect for equipment, and organizational discipline, pilots can ensure not just smoother operations but a safer flying environment.
Download the "Private Pilot 101- A Helicopter Training Blueprint" and start fostering these essential habits today. Live by the motto: respect your aircraft, and it will respect you back.
Stay safe, stay organized, and happy flying!
