Close To You

For better or worse, one of the skills I learned while flying on the BAJA races in Mexico was to desensitize myself to operating in close proximity to buildings, powerlines, and other aircraft.  If nothing else it helps to build a much deeper appreciation for exactly how long and wide your helicopter is.  

Pilots Vs. Mechanics, Part 1

It is probably genetic, but there exists an eternal friction between helicopter pilots and mechanics, each suspicious of the other, each convinced that the other's sole purpose in life is to make their lives a miserable hell.  


After a 10 hour cross country flight across 5 states I land at my final destination, and no one is in sight as I taxi to my parking spot and land, and then pause looking around for one of our mechanics.  Of course he has not shown himself, because he is waiting behind the hangar door until I shut down the helicopter and begin gathering my belongings before he saunters up and announces he'd like me to move the helicopter 100 feet to the right.