Helicopter Safety - Hot-Dogging Pilots
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Helicopter Safety - Hot-Dogging Pilots by Rey Madrid
I've often told people that flying helicopters involves risk but to fly safely involves following a few rules to keep that risk to an acceptable level.
One of the biggest risks I have seen in flying for 18 years is the hot-dogging pilot. Engines fail, clouds can create IMC, but a pilot who hot dogs carries his/her own risk in the helicopter.
For those who do not know the slang term of hot-doggin' as it relates to helicopter pilots: it is the term used to describe pilots who fly the helicopter at extreme attitudes, low level, high speed, or where people or property or both are put at risk for no reason other than to entertain the pilot or the passengers.
Some of the best skilled pilots in the world may hot dog but the Best Pilots in the world fly safe and within the limits of the aircraft.
Most of us have been guilty of hot-dogging to some degree. Few admit to it though. I have personally watched helicopter pilots fly nearly inverted, chasing each other in a mock aerial combat. Is this safe? No.
Some pilots state they are only hot-dogging when they are alone, or they do it in a "safe way". To these pilots it is a requirement to show them the results of a crash due to hot-dogging.
A recent helicopter accident has put a helicopter pilot in legal trouble. He is being charged with reckless piloting and manslaughter in the death of 3 passengers.
Another accident in the military involved a wheel chock flying into the cockpit as the pilot pushed over abruptly because he was told to "fly hard" due to the dull mission. The wheel chock flew into the controls and jammed resulting in a crash killing a crew chief and injuring the rest of the crew.
When a helicopter pilot goes out flying and hot-dogs I doubt that pilot is thinking about lawsuits or hurting the image or reputation of the helicopter company he/she is flying for or killing anyone. Hot-dogging pilots are usually young in mind. I state "young in mind" because even young pilots can have wisdom not to fly recklessly; And even old, experienced pilots hot-dog to keep from being bored.
When an employer hires a pilot a major consideration is the maturity of the pilot. If this is not filtered out before being hired that pilot is a hidden bomb.
I have watched what I thought were safe pilots go out and fly recklessly because they become more confident in the helicopter as their experience level rises. I hear stories of them buzzing crowds or flying low level. To these pilots I explain the dangers involved and hope their maturity and rational thought kick in.
Some of these pilots listen and some do not. Each pilot is still autonomous.
For me the reality that kept me from hot-dogging is watching several friends die due to flying. We operate helicopters and have risk because of it. Adding to the risk by being a hot-dog pilot is unacceptable.
About the Author
Rey Madrid is an active helicopter pilot in Alaska with 20 years of helicopter experience.
Rating: 3.50