Expert: Mike Hicks - 9/25/2011

Question
Hi,
 My question is, how easy would it be for a pilot who is reasonably experienced flying light planes such as small single engine Cessna's, etc.. to get into a helicopter for the first time ever and be able to fly it? Not necessarily well, but in a hypothetical emergency situation where the goal is to just survive without crashing.
Than You

Answer
Jason,

Here at Ft Rucker the home of Army Aviation and it's helicopter flight school, we see guys come here with a CFII fixed wing license all the time..so to answer your question, anything is possible! not likely but possible. I myself had fixed wing first, about 1200 hrs the helicopter kicked my butt..it flys in normal flight similar to  airplanes, that's it, the hovering thing takes about 10-12 hrs to kinda get the hang of it. The stick called a cyclic tilts the rotor to move fwd back ect: the collective increases lift in blades and lift. pedals move tail rotor and are very touchy..it is kinda like patting your head and rubbing your belly as a kid..both your hands and feet are busy all the time!  Hope this helps and thanks for using all experts!


V/R

Mike Hicks