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HIMMAT RECEIVES HIS CPLH CERTIFICATE

Congratulations Himmat on passing your CPLH flight test on Thursday, 28 June 2008. What an amazing journey it's been these past eight months. Here's his bio:

Full name?
Himmat Singh Mahal

Country of Origin?
Punjab, India

Why did you want to fly helicopters?
From childhood I have always seen my Dad fly helicopters and I always wanted to fly them.

Why did you choose to train at Beckers?
1. Feedback from other students. 2. Professionalism. 3. Whenever I spoke to them everything was precise so I felt confident in choosing them.

When did you start here?
I came in November 2007 but started in January 2008.

What was theory like?
Ohh, I hated it big time. But Robin (theory instructor) made it interesting by taking usin the helicopter SIM (simulator) and explaining it practically.

During theory how many hours a week would you study for your exams?
I was a bad guy. I mainly just did my homework.

Was it enough?
I passed all my exams, so yeah. I think so.

Cyberexam thoughts?
If cyberexam was a human being I would take a g--, haha just kidding.

Best flying experience at Beckers?
First solo. Love it. When Mike went out of the aircraft I was too happy. Finally felt like I had achieved something.

Not so good experience?
I will never tell. It's a big secret.

What was your flight test like?
Nervous but when I look back at it, it was just another fun flight.

Where and what are you going to do now?
I will be back in Inida to fly B206 in pipeline surveying.

Advice to new students?
Enjoy the course. Don't be too tense. Training is like a roller coaster ride. You have down and ups. One of the greatest thing in training is like you never what will happen next and by the end of it you will be ready for your job and start taking things as they come. But do enjoy it!

Please be patient for the video to appear. Enjoy!

FERGUS PONDER DOES A LIFTING JOB IN CHICAGO

We did this job last weekend at State and Monroe in Chicago. This guy is an airline pilot overnighting in the hotel we were working on. Jimmy is flying this ship, I was in the other helicopter as we were tag teaming each time a fuel cycle ended the other one would show up. This gentleman thought it was all one helicopter, interesting. We are using a 300' long line to access the street. Enjoy!

Fergus

Please be patient for the screen to appear

FATHER AND SON (ABHI) LEAVES MARK IN BELL HELICOPTER HISTORY BOOKS


FORT WORTH, TEXAS (May 27, 2008) – When Anil Mahajan and his son Abhijeet recently completed their training, they entered the record books as the first father and son team to qualify in the same helicopter at Bell’s Customer Training Academy.

To make the event even more unique, they both received their training from the same Bell Academy instructor pilot, Kevin Brandt. Anil completed his initial conversion to the Bell 407 with Kevin in 2001, and Abhijeet completed his initial conversion with Kevin last week.

“Kevin is an excellent instructor,” said Anil. “In fact, all of Bell’s instructors are excellent. I had my initial training and a couple of refreshers with Kevin, so I was very happy when he could take up my son.”

Not only is this father and son team a first at the Bell Training Academy, they are also the first father and son team to fly the same helicopter in India, and for the same company, Hindustan Construction Company Ltd.

Anil began flying helicopters in 1979 as a pilot in the Indian Army. After completing his military career in 1995, Anil entered commercial aviation flying the Bell 206L4. Today he flies the Bell 407 for HCC where he is the company’s head of aviation.

“I’ve been an ardent Bell supporter from the time I started flying,” said Anil. “Bell is good in all respects. That’s it in a nutshell,” he added, referring to Bell’s global reputation for world-class customer service and superior quality.

Abhijeet was just one year old when his father began flying helicopters. “I’ve always looked up to Dad,” remarked the son. “As far back as I can remember it’s been Dad flying helicopters,” he said.

“I’d always wanted my son to join up with me,” said Anil. “I thought he might join the Army and then step into my shoes, but he had different likings.” Although Abhijeet dreamed of becoming a helicopter pilot like his father, his life initially headed in another direction. After earning an MBA, he took a position with ICICI Bank, got married and started a family. But Abhijeet’s desire to fly remained strong.

Anil recognized his son’s continuing interest in flying and asked, “Son, why not have a gamble and give it a try?” Abhijeet welcomed the adventure. He began his flight training at the HAL Rotary Wing Academy in India in 2006, and earned his commercial helicopter pilot’s license in 2007 at Becker Helicopters in Brisbane, Australia.

When Abhijeet returned to India he planned to find a job flying offshore missions supporting the oil and gas industry. However, his father’s company was planning an expansion of its aviation operation and Abhijeet was offered a job flying for Hindustan Construction Company. The company currently flies a Bell 407, and will take delivery of a Bell 427 later this year. The company has also signed orders for a Bell 429 and two Bell/Agusta BA609 Tiltrotors.

“It’s a dream come true now being able to fly helicopters,” said Abhijeet, “and being able to fly with Dad makes it that much better. It’s really a great feeling.”

A love of flying is not uncommon in the Mahajan family. Abhijeet’s sister is married to a fixed-wing pilot, and Abhijeet’s three-year-old son has already announced his desire to become a pilot when he grows up.

Both father and son have plans to return to Bell’s Customer Training Academy in October for initial conversion training on the Bell 427, and they hope to have Kevin Brandt as their instructor again.

Bell Helicopter is an industry-leading producer of commercial and military, manned and unmanned vertical lift aircraft and the pioneer of the revolutionary tilt rotor aircraft. Globally recognized for world-class customer service, innovation and superior quality, Bell's global workforce serves customers flying Bell aircraft in more than 120 countries.

Textron Inc. is a $13.2 billion multi-industry company operating in 34 countries with approximately 44,000 employees. The company leverages its global network of aircraft, defense and intelligence, industrial and finance businesses to provide customers with innovative solutions and services. Textron is known around the world for its powerful brands such as Bell Helicopter, Cessna Aircraft Company, Jacobsen, Kautex, Lycoming, E-Z-GO, Greenlee, Fluid & Power, Textron Systems and Textron Financial Corporation. More information is available at http://www.textron.com/.

http://www.bellhelicopter.com/Bell Helicopter Textron Inc. Post Office Box 482, Fort Worth, TX 76101-0482

NIGEL THOMAS - UPDATE

It was back in 2006 since we last heard of Nigel and now 2 years later we catch up with him again. So ...

Where and what are you doing now?
I’m working for Great Barrier Reef Helicopter Group - based in Port Douglas FNQ.
Relocated family (now 2 kids 2 and a half and 12 weeks) and bought a house in Mossman Gorge in early 07 GBR are the largest Helicopter Tourism operator in Queensland with a fleet of R44, B206/206L and AS350’s.

I’ve been performing a combined role in Sales & Marketing and flying the line. Primarily I’ve been flying the R44 out of Port Douglas, but recently came to line on the B206 and am happily building my turbine hours now rotating through the Cairns and Port Douglas bases.

What has been in the highlight of your flying career so far?
Passing final theory subject, passing CPL(H) in Dec ’04, and finally securing a great flying job with a great company in the most breath-taking natural environment on the planet !

What do you hope to be doing in 5 years from now?
Enjoying my flying, being challenged every day, continuing to learn and develop my flying skills ….. and getting paid a bit more !!!! By then – with lots of turbine time, machine endorsements and some more study (ATPL/IREX) I hope to be able to address the last of the list above !!

Advice to those persons looking for helicopter work?
I’d take that back to persons looking at helicopters as a career and from personal experience suggest that the following golden rules will aid in traversing the inevitably rocky road…..

1. Make sure that you can fund yourself for at least a year after you’ve completed your CPL to enable you to accept those jobs that pay a pittance and supplement whatever income you can achieve while you develop your skills, gain some hours and start to build your reputation in the industry. So many people come into flight school having been able to build the cash reserves from previous types of employment and by the end of the process are absolutely “skint”. That typically forces people into returning to the previous employment to re-build cash reserves and breaks the continuity and focus on the helicopter path. Many fail to make the transition back. I had to do it – and was very lucky.

2. Be confident that you can present and articulate skills other than your freshly minted CPL(H) to a prospective employer and be prepared to take a job that is not initially offering flying. I wasn’t hired at GBRH for my piloting skills – my flying opportunities developed as a result of my business planning and Sales & Marketing abilities – gained in that “other” life prior to flying.

3. Never forget – “It’s a 5 year plan” – Mike Becker quote ! ….. and if you really want it – you will make it happen

MATT EKE - PASSES CPLH!

Congratulations Matt on passing your CPL flight test last Saturday!

Having survived a bad bout of the mumps (when you boarded your flight from London to Brisbane) and then coping with the climate change. Tackling the theory course before successfully passing your exams. Then ... flying during some of the most atrocious weather we had this summer. You did pretty well!

If the video box doesn't appear, please be patient and enjoy!

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR NEWEST CPLH PILOTS!

It has been a long time coming but the day finally came. We say farewell to three of our newest CPLH pilots. Matt Wilson from NSW, Australia; Davide Barachetti from Italy and Lasse Thorsager from Denmark. When they began their training in September last year, they had no idea the theory would be a breeze compared to their flying. Months of atrocious summer storms hampered their training since November.

Good luck guys! We'll miss you!

Matt Wilson's Celebration and Farewell

Davide's and Lasse's Graduation

L to R: Niels (Flight Instructor), Mez (Flight Instructor), Davide and Lasse

CANDICE MARRIES - THREE TIMES!

It was a thrill for Mike, Jan (plus the girls) and Maraina to be celebrating the marriage of Candice and Rowan at Twin Waters last month. Candice worked at Becker Helicopters as our student liaison until just a few years ago. She was well-liked, cheerful and just a joy to the students and everyone in and around the school. Candice still lives and work on the Coast. Here's her story ...

Have you ever heard of three weddings and to the same man :-) Well Rowan and I wanted to make our marraige legal in Australia so on the 20th February 2008 we went to Nambour Court house with Dad and Step Mum as our witnesses. We wanted it to be really simple so not to make it any better than the big day, so just to get the legal stuff out the way.

I then flew to South Africa on 22nd February to get things ready for the big day on 8th March. The day was beautiful with all our friends and family at San Lameer Golf Estate on the South Coast of South Africa (what a beautiful spot). We had the wedding at 5pm on a beautiful Saturday afternoon were I was escorted to the venue on a Yamaha maroon golf cart and with my girls also in a golf cart. Dad drove me and Shan (my sister) got her boyfriend to drive Shaz (maid of honor), Shan (sister) and Roxanne my cousin.

After the ceromony (signing a play play paper as we had already legally been married) we then had to do all the photos, which took some time. We relaxed and enjoyed a wonderful roast followed by 5 cakes and a chocolate fountain. Rowan and I then had to do our dance which we really enjoyed so much. We did the ramba (a good friend from South Africa who lives across the road taught us).

We then went on our honeymoon on the following Tuesday, to a private game reserve called Amakhosi Safari Lodge. We got to see Lion, Cheetah, Elephant, Bullalo, got stuck in a huge storm too. We had a great time though and stayed for two days.

We then went to Cape Town for my sisters graduation and got to see some really great scenic and mountainis settings.

ADAM GETS HIS NEW HELICOPTER

Where do you live?
Twin Waters, Sunshine Coast,Queensland,Australia

What’s your occupation?
Businessman with a variety of interests.

Why do you want to fly helicopters?
I have had a fixed wing license since 1987 and always promised myself to explore the “other” and now finding it absolutely great! The ultimate convenience of not having to find a suitable runway will be fantastic.

Why did you choose Beckers?
Firstly the welcoming enthusiasm as I would come through the door for the last few years to enquire after I shifted down here from Emerald. Secondly the availability, presentation and professionalism of the initial information provided including “Mike Becker’s Helicopter Handbook”.

When did you start training?
December 2007

What are you flying?
Commenced in R44 Raven 1 and now in R44 Raven 2.

How many hours have you flown?
Approximately 1500 hours Fixed Wing (but mostly 10 – 15 years ago). 33 hours so far in helicopter and loving it.

Best flying experience so far?
In the helicopter it was going into confined areas and realising the capability and manoverability of the aircraft more.

Not so best flying experience?
Non so far in helicopter … all been great. In fixed wing it was an off runway landing in a paddock in a Pitts Special nearly in the dark. Something I would recommend not to do.

How many hours do you have to go?
Thousands …… to go where??

What are your flying plans for the future?
Hopefully progress to PPL in the near future, start get a lot of flying time and experiences happening in the R44 undertaking lots of distance trips and progressing steadily through commercial study to gain Commercial License in the coming months. The purpose of gaining the Commercial license is not driven by career aspirations but rather than by personal interests in attaining particular measured levels of competency.

Where did you get your new helicopter?
A suitable specified machine was available immediately through Helibiz at the Gold Coast so rather than wait for one to be imported I took the opportunity to get it now.

Anything else to add?
Since commencing the training at Becker’s the biggest stand out points for me has been the quality of instruction and in particular the manner in which is communicated (no screaming instructors) and also the overall camaraderie of all staff and current students. It is an atmosphere that encourages great and successful outcomes for all.

LASSE (DENMARK) PASSES HIS PPL TODAY!
Congratulations Lasse on passing your PPL flight test today. How strong were those winds today eh? Lasse began his flight training in September 2007. His biggest challenge? Battling the atrocious weather conditions since Christmas last year. Today the weather was a little forgiving (minus the wind). You did a brilliant job Lasse. Well done!

RICKY FORD - LATEST UPDATE
Former student Ricky Ford (trained at Beckers back in '98-'99) helps flood ravaged, Central Highlands. Witnessing the devastation and horrific loss of livestock, here's Ricky's story ...

To view, click on picture

NICK SHEW - NEW UPDATE

So finally I've made it! Cracked that out-of-sight-for-so-long goal!

There I was looking for work. Many letters were sent and follow up phone calls made. I got a few replies, most of which were "Thanks for the letter, we have nothing for someone of your experience, however when you have 1000 hours and a twin turbine rating please get back in touch". There I was with about 200 hours and a Robbie 22 ticket. Talk about feeling inadequate! It had taken *lots* of time and money to get this far and I was less than a fifth of what was needed.

I started offering cheap flights to friends, family, strangers in the pub so I could at least hour build and pay less for it. Then the beginning of the turn of events that ended out in my first pay check this month occurred. An instructor at an airfield near me called up and said she had a PPL who wanted to hire her 22 but she wouldn't let him without a safety pilot, would I lend a hand? I agreed thinking I could log something in my log book and at least I'd be around helicopters and could keep my hand in. Well I couldn't log anything, but at least I was flying again.

The PPL and myself did a few of these flights where I just sat there in case he couldn't fly well enough. As it happens we were getting winds which were very challenging in a 22 and he managed fine if not a little gingerly. As things were though it was getting harder to keep going as I was totally skint. Fortunately the PPL pilot happened to sell cars and needed some delivering so gave me a job. Not only did this help to stop me drowning financially, but it was near another airfield where I had completed my CPL the previous February (It was now October).

About now the PPL pilot started hiring a 44 Raven II and I was approached to be a safety pilot in 44 Astro. I've got my 44 CASA rating, but decided to get my JAR 44 rating also as I was hopefully gonna need it anyway (and my nan had given me some cash to cover it - thanks nan x). On the back of this I got a few short ferry flights and got speaking to the owner of Sandtoft Helicopters. It turned out she needed an instructor and asked me if I had considered becoming one. We now have an arrangement where I got my instructor course, rating and Bell 206 rating too and I will work for the company. (Thump! That was me landing on my feet! :-)

I started instructing at the beginning of January and thanks to the weather it's been a slow start, but I now have over 330 hours of which 50 are instructional hours and 12 solo sendoffs and I'm halfway to having the restrictions lifted from my FI rating!!! Even better, at last, the money flow has changed direction and I have the best office window I have ever had!

This time last year I had just got my JAA CPL and was quite disheartened about the position I was in. I knew the whole process was going to be hard back when I was training at Beckers and nothing can prepare you for how that dip that claims so many of us will feel. A year on and I'm out the other side and on the bottom rung of my new career ladder looking up. What a difference a year can make.

Here's some pics of my new office. Some are taken with a mobile phone,so better pics to come when I can stand outside for long enough not to loose limbs. (It's been -10 degrees celsius and 1046hPa this last week. There were even icicles hanging from the door hinges yesterday!)

So for all you budding professional pilots - stick with it. Even when it's going slow or even not moving - you got skills very few people ever get. The opportunities will eventually arrive and probably not from where you expected.

FERGUS PONDER - LATEST UPDATE

Some nice maintenance weather here in Chicago. Hard core mechanics!

HIGH FLYERS

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

To view bigger, click on the image

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”