Why Helicopters?

     I have long had a fascination with aviation. At the age of seven, I read every Wright brother's book I could get my hands on. As I grew, I realized that flying for an airline was unlikely to be my calling. But then the Helper put something on my radar: rotor-wing aviation (helicopters).

     Now this was a new idea to me. Rotorcraft are vastly different than airplanes and jets. Fixed wing aircraft typically burn less fuel and can carry more passengers/cargo than rotorcraft. Helicopters, however, are capable of far more confined tasks. Since they are a "vertical lift aircraft," they are capable of landing and taking off in very small places. 

But why does this appeal to me? 

     As described above, the helicopter's ability is perfectly suited for SAR (search and rescue), evacuation, and transportation of people or supplies to precise landing locations. This type of work would be very rewarding and would be much more desirable than airline transport.

     Finally, helicopters are far more difficult to operate than many fixed wing aircraft as a general rule. "Stick control" in a helicopter must be more precise and predictive than fixed wing. Each appendage is operating its own control continuously, with the left had operating two controls at once. This results in five flight controls moving at all times plus the operation of dozens of instruments and communication devices.

I never shy away from a good challenge!