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In this installment we will talk about the pilots from helicopters, who are they, how to study to be, requirements and much more about this profession.
Behind the versatile machines, are the helicopter pilots, human beings with great responsibility to transport other people, passengers, loads, tools and equipment of various types and shapes in remote and hard-to-reach places, being a fundamental productive support in activities and industries such as tourism, shooting, aerial photography, aeromedical rescue and transport, oil rig support, mining, construction, power lines, forest fire control, geophysical surveys among others, activities both on land and offshore.
In the country about two years ago Ecocopter Ecuador with 7 pilots and 3 state-of-the-art helicopters H125, started operations complying with all the requirements of the Aeronautical Authority and international quality and safety standards, with the aim of providing support to all aerial and productive activities of the Ecuadorian territory.
Ecocopter, aeronautical company that is a regional reference in cargo transport and highly complex air services, via Gustavo Junovich, General Manager of the firm in Ecuador, shares interesting facts about the profile that people must meet to be helicopter pilots. It should be noted that the firm has pilots who have more than 10.000 flight hours.
Characteristics and requirements
The vast majority of helicopter pilots are trained in the armed or police forces of each country, Many of whom, after gaining adequate experience, later decide to apply and work in the commercial civil area..
A helicopter pilot must possess the following characteristics: be disciplined, responsible, judicious, aware of their strengths as well as their weaknesses, with this you will be able to take good, safe and timely decisions, be a calm person, have good hand-eye coordination and spatial awareness, have good vision, working under pressure, teamwork, have excellent observation skills to accurately and quickly interpret maps and the information that appears on the helicopter's screens, among other.
On the other hand, permanent passing of the aerospace medicine exam is essential, which is made up of a complete health check and determines whether or not you are fit to be a pilot from a medical point of view and in accordance with national and international regulations. In the case of State Institutions and Flight Schools that train pilots, these have application exams that consider, physical and intellectual ability tests, psychological, psychotechnical, prior to the course.
Some subjects that must be passed
There are many subjects that a pilot must take and subsequently master to become a helicopter pilot., some of them are:
- Aerodynamics
- Performance
- air regulation
- Air Navigation
- flight planning
- Technical English
- aviation engines
- flight controls
- flight instruments
- Meteorology
In addition to other branches inherent to the place where you are training as a pilot, either armed forces, policeman or civilian.
About licenses, certifications or ratings
To operate a civil aircraft, pilots must have a license issued by the aeronautical authority DGAC, entity that to grant it requires different theoretical and practical exams and comply with the requirements established in the regulation, such as theoretical and practical courses, recent experience, checks with inspectors, etc. In the case of wanting to fly another model of helicopter, the pilot must once again undergo training and examinations before the supervisory entity, in order to receive the corresponding license.
Flight simulation practices
Usually helicopter pilot training, just like airplane pilots can be run on the same aircraft in which it is operated, like in flight simulators, being the main difference that in aircraft only they can be practiced no more than 20% of the emergency procedures that aircraft could experience in flight, On the other hand, the simulation allows practicing absolutely all the fault procedures that the aircraft could present., achieving a much higher and more efficient level of security when dealing with any problem.
Training in flight simulators is the most efficient way to ensure that crews in the event of a failure will be able to adopt the correct procedure, which will save lives on board and the aircraft.
There are several training centers for this., Some stand out mainly, such as Flight Safety, CAE , We called, Indra, CHC and itself Ecotraining by Ecocopter.
All emergencies that may occur in flight are equally delicate, clearly some require a faster reaction, such is an engine shutdown, a fire or oil leak, but all the others if you do not have the training to face them the result can be catastrophic.
Words from a helicopter pilot about his profession
“Behind these versatile and wonderful machines, we are the helicopter pilots, human beings with a great passion for what we do “fly”, take to the skies, enjoying and at the same time working, that satisfaction of doing what we like, but with a great deal of responsibility and professionalism, The great responsibility of transporting other lives rests on our shoulders,” he stated. Washington Cisneros Ecocopter Operations Manager and Pilot with more than 20 years of experience.
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