Max Performance Error: Overpulling Collective to the Armpit Could Cause a Fatal Accident

Oct 03, 2025

We love featuring Final Approach Course members because every check-ride story teaches something new. Todd Ketterman has been with H.O.G.S. for years. He’s done his Commercial, CFI, SFAR sign-offs, and has always been sharp, well-prepared, and professional. But even seasoned pilots can have “that moment” in the cockpit where a small habit could lead to a big mistake.

The Armpit Collective Mistake

On Todd’s check-ride prep flight, everything was smooth. He was solid on the maneuvers, confident in his knowledge, and looking good for the test. Then came the max performance takeoff.

Instead of smoothly adding power, Todd buried the collective — straight to his armpit.

The rotor RPM tanked, the horn screamed, and I had to grab it. A mistake like that in the wrong situation isn’t just sloppy—it could cause a fatal accident.

Why? Because maxing out the collective too fast loads the system instantly. You can run out of power before you’re even climbing, and at low altitude, you don’t get a second chance.

Lessons from EMS Flying

This reminded me of something I learned years ago transitioning from the BK to the EC-135 in EMS. In the BK, I had power to spare. In the EC-135, on a hot, heavy day, I’d hit the treeline and run out of climb.

A check airman taught me a technique that stuck: don’t yank straight to max. Instead, pull halfway between hover power and max. The result? You climb higher, clear obstacles, and still have power in reserve to fly away.

I’ve tested this across aircraft—even in the Enstrom—and it works. It’s one of those lessons you don’t forget because it keeps you safe.

Why Pilots Fall Into This

So why do pilots still make the “armpit collective” mistake? Because many of us were trained that way: hover power to max, yank and go. It’s taught in more schools than you’d think. But just because it’s common doesn’t mean it’s right for every helicopter, every day, or every environment.

That’s the value of the Final Approach Course—we don’t just check boxes, we catch the bad habits before they show up on your ride (or worse, in the real world).

FAC Spotlight: Todd Ketterman

Todd is a great example of a pilot who’s invested in his training long-term. He’s leveraged H.O.G.S. courses, one-on-one coaching, and check-ride prep to keep stacking up ratings. His story is proof that even good pilots slip—but the ones who succeed are the ones willing to learn, adjust, and move forward.

The Final Approach Course Advantage

At H.O.G.S., we’ve run 30 check-rides in 30 months. Every single one revealed a new lesson, a new mistake, or a new technique worth sharing. That’s why we created this series—to help you avoid these pitfalls before you sit down with the examiner.

When you book a Final Approach Course, you get:

🚁 One or two students at a time, max.
✅ Instructors focused 100% on your finish-up.
📝 Full ACS prep, including paperwork checks.
👨‍✈️ An examiner we’ve trusted for 25+ years.

And the best part? October openings are available right now.

👉 Call or text Heather at (574) 767-1797 or visit FinalApproachCourse.com to grab a spot.

Free Resources

📘 Download the Maneuver Guide — a free PDF built from the Helicopter Flying Handbook.
🤖 AskHogs.com — Kenny’s AI clone, available 24/7 for all your helicopter training questions.
🎓 Free 24-Hour Test Flight — explore any membership risk-free with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Takeaway

Pulling the collective to your armpit may sound like “max performance,” but it’s a max error. It kills RPM, kills climb, and could cause a fatal accident.

The pilots who pass check-rides—and stay safe in the real world—are the ones who train smarter, not harder. Todd’s story proves it: mistakes can become lessons, and lessons can save lives.