Hydraulic OFF Engine Failure Practice???
Sep 27, 2024In recent years, the helicopter training industry has faced significant criticism due to practices that prioritize speed and cost over safety and learning quality. Kenny Keller, creator of Helicopter Online Ground School, sheds light on these troubling practices and advocates for a more methodical and safety-conscious approach.
The Cost of Speed
Kenny Keller opens the discussion by highlighting the prevalent "hurry, hurry, hurry" mentality found in several flight schools. He emphasizes that this rush is largely driven by financial motives rather than educational efficacy. Instead of providing thorough, patient training, these schools are focused on maximizing the use of their resources, thus prioritizing quantity over quality.
"So at these flight schools that are rushing you in the cockpit, hurry, hurry, hurry. Go, go, go. They're doing nothing but trying to make the dollar spend. Dollar dollar dollar dollar dollar, dollar, dollar." — Kenny Keller
This frantic approach not only compromises the quality of education but also escalates the risk factors significantly.
The Fallacy of Hydraulics Off Training
One of the most alarming points Keller mentions is the dangerous tactics some instructors employ, such as combining a hydraulics off scenario with an auto rotation. These are two separate critical maneuvers that should not be combined. Doing so isn't just risky; it’s completely unnecessary and strays from standard training protocols.
"Some nimrod instructor out there decided in a training environment to give a student a hydraulics off engine failure. Who does that? Hydraulics off and an auto rotation at the same time." — Kenny Keller
Such actions not only endanger student pilots but also reflect poorly on the industry, indicating a need for stringent oversight and adherence to established training standards.
The Problem with Excessive Maneuvers
Another detriment to proper training is the excessive repetition of critical maneuvers in a short time span. Keller recounts instances where students performed an extreme number of auto rotations or flight patterns within a single training session. This hurried approach doesn't allow for proper feedback and reflection, both essential for effective learning.
"You're not going to get hydraulics off auto rotations. You're not going to get. Oh, here's a good one. We had a gentleman come up for a private, and he was bragging about how him and his instructor did 27 auto rotations in an hour. And my mouth dropped open. I'm like, you did what? I said, you got to be kidding me. 27 auto rotations in an hour." — Kenny Keller
Such practices are shocking and are emblematic of a larger issue: a lack of quality control and a misguided focus on quantifiable metrics rather than skill development.
Slow, Smooth, Methodical: The Correct Approach
Kenny Keller advocates for a training approach that is slow, smooth, and methodical. This method aligns with professional standards, particularly within safety-critical sectors like Emergency Medical Services (EMS). In these environments, taking a deliberate approach is crucial for minimizing errors and ensuring safety.
"Slow, smooth, methodical, so you don't make mistakes and you get everybody there safely." — Kenny Keller.
An emphasis on thorough pre-flight checks and procedural adherence can significantly mitigate risks, providing a solid foundation for new pilots.
Financial Instability in Flight Schools
The financial instability of many flight schools further complicates matters. Keller points out how the need to cover high operational costs often leads to unethical practices, such as hastening the training process to accommodate more students.
"...because they've got thousands of dollars going out in a month and their hanger and their helicopter payment and their insurance and their fuel and their breakdowns. Most flight schools are struggling." — Kenny Keller
This struggle for financial survival compromises the integrity of flight training and often leaves students at a disadvantage.
The insights shared by Kenny Keller are a stark reminder of the pitfalls present in the helicopter training industry. From unsafe training practices to a misplaced emphasis on speed and cost-efficiency, the sector faces significant challenges. By advocating for a slow, smooth, and methodical approach, we can ensure a safer and more effective training environment for new pilots.
As learners and consumers, it’s crucial to choose reputable, quality-focused flight schools and instructors who prioritize safety and standardized training. If something feels off, it probably is. Trusting your instincts could save your career, and more importantly, your life. To learn more about how to find the right flight school for you, check out H.O.G.S. #1 Amazon Best Seller, "Private Pilot 101- A Helicopter Training Blueprint", available as a free PDF, paperback, or Kindle.
