As a pilot, there are many things you will learn throughout training and your career. Depending on the type of aircraft you fly, there may be certain things you need to take into consideration as not all aircraft are created equally. In today’s article, we are going to look at 7 things all helicopter pilots should know to give you a better idea of what basic skills you need.
Hone Your Skills
One of the best things about being an active helicopter pilot is that you learn new things all the time. Whether you are actually flying or simply doing flight exercises, honing your skills is something you should be doing at all times to be a better pilot.
Take Care Of Your Equipment
Maintenance is key when owning or flying aircraft. The more you maintain and care for your helicopter, the lower the risk of repair will be. A large repair that is needed due to poor maintenance can usually be avoided by easy and cheap maintenance.
Know The Winds When You Land
The windsock at an airport is there for a very important reason. It allows pilots to understand the wind conditions on the runway. Learning how to read weather patterns and use Unicom or ATIS to prepare yourself for the conditions where you are landing.
Know Where You Are
Being situationally aware is one of the best skillsets a pilot can have. While you may have a general idea of where you are, you need to be aware of other aircraft in the vicinity as well. You need to train as if your GPS has failed to prepare you for every situation.
Use The Lights
Using your landing lights at all times can dramatically decrease the chances of mid-air collisions with both aircraft and birds. As a safety precaution, you will want to utilize any landing lights when possible to make yourself as visible as possible.