HIGH FLYERS

Mike Becker and Robin Helsdon. Published recently in the Sunshine Coast Daily

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ROSS DENNIS - AUSTRALIA

Hello All,

We have had more or less a record flood on the Belyando River, thankfully for 4 or 5 ROBBIES, a lot of disaster has been reduced (especially swimming cattle (kms) and moving them on to high ground, and airlifting people from flooded homes and the sick to town). Has been full on the last 5 days or so.

All the Best, Rossco.

STIAN VOLDSUND - NORWAY


Why did you want to fly helicopters?

I’ve always wanted to be a pilot, but I decided to fly helicopters when I got a flight when I was in the Navy.

Why did you choose Beckers?

People who want to fly helicopters that are from Norway normally do one out of two choices. Eigther they go to school in Norway, or they go to US to it. I wanted to do something different than the normal mass of people do. So I looked into New Zealand and Australia and found the Beckers website. Looked like a really nice place, good follow-up, experienced instructors. So I ended up there. Haven’t regretted it since.

When did you start training at Beckers?

Started in September 2006, and finished in June 2007.

What was your theory like?

It was a bit of reading, but it wasn’t to hard.

During theory how many hours a week would you study for your cyber exams?After school I studied for about 2-3 hours, but when the exams was getting close you read a bit more to tighten things up.

Was it enough?

Yeah, passed all exams first time. But if had done a bit more studying I might have got some higher scores :P

Cyber exam thoughts?

I liked them. Except the few seconds you have to wait before your score comes up on the screen after submitted the test.

What was your first flight experience like and who did you fly with?

Got my first flight when I was in the navy, did some tactical flying. My first time with the controls was in my TIF with Mike Becker.

Best flying experience?

Passing the flight test was one of the very best ones, but I think that almost everyday I get to fly is awesome.

Worst flying experience?

Have 2 cases that I think was equally bad. The first one I was flying in the Norwegian mountains with an AS350B3 and suddenly I started to loose altitude. Pulled back on the cyclic to climb speed and pulled max power but was still going down 1600 feet pr minute. Was a really strong downdraft over the ridge so we had to dive down the side of the mountain, and when we were about 200-300 feet over the ocean it let go, and we could get some altitude back. The second one was also in the mountains. Its started to snow really badly, the ground was also white cause of the snow so we got a total “white out”. Luckily we saw a few trees, so we just aimed for them, landed close to them so we didn’t loose over reference to them, shut down and just sat there waiting until it cleared up again.

What was your flight test like?

I was really nervous when I started the day. Bit of mumbling at first when I did my board briefs, but it got better when I got started. Same when I was doing my radio calls and the first take-off, but it got better when I got going. Then I came back and got to know that I have passed. When I then got out of the chopper, the other guys(with Robin in front) had arranged a surprise for me. Didn’t understand why a fire truck was standing next door, but suddenly there was “raining” quiet good. Thanks to the fire guysJ

Where and what are you going to do now?

Now I’m back in Norway doing my ATPL theory, and working in a helicopter company as ground crew and co-pilot. As soon as I get my theory done, and my flight test passed I will start working as a pilot with them. Start up in the R-44, and work my way up to AS350 and Bell214.

Advice to new students?

Never give up. Even if it looks like everything is working against you, never give up. And remember, “Real pilots don’t need runways”