NEXT EVENT - Hazards Associated With Autorotations - Saturday, August 23rd 9 AM to 12 Noon

Many training accidents occur while conducting practice autorotations. Discover what measures can be taken to prevent them from occurring.

If interested, this seminar qualifies for WINGS credits. Simply pre-register for the seminar and WINGS credits at: www.faasafety.gov

Seminar Location/Directions: HDA Corporate Office - 944 Anglum Road, Hazelwood, MO. 63042. From the I-70 interchange, proceed North on I-270 and exit Missouri Bottom Road. Turn RIGHT. Proceed to Campus Parkway and turn LEFT. Proceed to Anglum Road and turn LEFT. HDA Corporate office is at the end of the road. Park on the West side of the building. Seminar will be conducted in their corporate meeting room. Click here for detailed driving map.

For additional information contact Bill Hopper at HeliSat: (636) 366-9110 or bill.hopper@helisat.com

 

AOPA Flight Training Magazine Article On Silver State Helicopter Shutdown

The May, 2008 Flight Training Magazine featured a summary article on the shutdown of Silver State Helicopters. The article explores the various factors of what led up to the shutdown, the impact to its 2,700 students, along with the some of the options available to the students. Regretfully, this is a black eye for our industry. Click here for the entire article as well as the article's "Buyer Beware" list of recommendations made to any student enrolling in a flight school.

 

 

Saint Louis Based Helicopter Pilot Training and Flight School Facilities

Here is a convenient list of Saint Louis based helicopter pilot training and flight schools. Click on the respective name and link to their web sites for more information.

HeliSat - Helicopter Services and Technology
Fostaire Helicopter
Midwest Helicopter
D & D Aviation

 

Useful Links Section Updated

We have updated the Useful Links section to include the FAA's list of TFR's (Temporary Flight Restrictions), AD's (Airworthiness Directives) along with additional helicopter training, charter and service facilities in the Saint Louis Area.The new listings are under the Government and Helicopter sections respectfully. Click here to go to the Useful Links section.

 

 

Terry Wilund Honored For Over 40 Year Career In Helicopter Industry

Bill Hopper, founder of the Greater Saint Louis Helicopter Association, recently honored Terry Wilund for over 40 years of support and service to the helicopter industry. Terry began his flying career in the U.S. Army with extensive flying in Vietnam. His long career included the National Guard, Saint Louis Police Aviation Unit and Arch Air Medical. Terry’s service includes piloting Arch Air Medical’s Kids Copter and helped save young lives. He is retiring from Arch Air Medical. Thank you Terry for all of your service to our industry!

 

2007 Nall Safety Report

 

The Joseph T. Nall Report is the AOPA Air Safety Foundation's annual review of general aviation aircraft accidents that occurred during the previous year. This report is based on NTSB reports involving fixed-wing general aviation aircraft weighing 12,500 pounds or less. Click here to download a PDF copy of the report.

 

 

Over 70 New Technical Articles Added to Our Library!

 

We have added over 70 new technical articles to our reference library. These new articles cover Training, Rotorcraft, Maintenance and Safety topics. The articles are in PDF form and require the use of the free Adobe Acrobat PDF Reader. If your PC does not have this free program, click on this link and it will take you to the free Adobe Reader download page.

 

Our 2008 Calendar of Events

 

In 2008 we have planned a very active schedule of events covering a wide range of topics and areas. Click here to go to our complete 2008 schedule. We would like all members to attend at least FOUR (at least one per quarter) pilot or maintenance safety programs or clinics throughout the year.

 

New Robinson R-66 Five Placed Turbine Announced & Frank Robinson Featured In March Issue of Air & Space Magazine

Formally announced at the March, 2007 HAI Convention, Robinson Helicopter is currently working on a five placed turbine helicopter. The R-66 will be powered by a Rolls-Royce turbine engine and it is intended as a replacement for older Bell Jet Ranger aircraft nearing lifetime limits. It will look much like the present R-44 four passenger helicopter and have a dedicated baggage compartment. Robinson said the estimated price will be less than $1 million dollars and more than the current $400 thousand dollar cost of the R-44RII. It will have a two blade rotor that will be mounted 8 inches higher than that on the R-44 in order to handle center of gravity issues created by the larger design. No firm delivery date on the new model has been released. The March 2007 Air & Space Magazine has a nice profile on Frank Robinson. Simply click here for a PDF copy of the article.

 

Classic Rotors Museum - A Must See For Any Helicopter Pilot or "Rotorhead"

On your next trip to Southern California, a must stop for any helicopter enthusiast is the Classic Rotors Museum in Ramona, California. Located about an hour Northeast of San Diego, the non-profit museum has over 45 unique rotorcraft, with many flying or in the process of being restored. Founded in 1992, Classic Rotors mission is to preserve these rotorcraft as a tribute to the pioneers who risked so much to to develop vertical flight technology. A key objective is to provide education about and demonstrate various designs in rotor technology including tandem, co-axial, conventional (single) sync (intermeshing) and tip powered. Classic Rotors attends more than a dozen air shows per year. Click here for more photos of the museum, or click here to link to the Classic Rotors site. www.rotors.org

 

Chuck Aaron - Red Bull Aerobatic Helicopter

 

There are other so-called aerobatic helicopter acts out there, but nothing like the Messerscmitt-Boelkow BO-105. In the hands of the right pilot, it loops, rolls, does vertical rolls and flips. Chuck Aaron is fairly new to the air show circuit and 2007 will be his second show circuit in the Red Bull sponsored helicopter. He has logged over 17,000 hours of helicopter time covering almost any type of flight a helicopter pilot could encounter. Visit the Red Bull USA site for more details or simply click here to link and you will find details under the Motorsports menu.

 

Schweizer 300CBi Added To Microsoft Flight Simulator 2004 and Flight Simulator X

 

Flying Club X Expansion Pack DVD ROM add-on for the popular Microsoft Flight Simulator is now available. This is a third party add-on module that permits you to fly the 300 CBi along with a PA28-161 Warrior, PA38-112 Tomahawk, C-152 and the PA34-200T Seneca II fixed wing aircraft. The DVD ROM includes a nice printed handbook that covers the 300CBi and the other five fixed wing aircraft. For more details on the the software that runs on the two latest versions of Flight Simulator, go to www.justflight.com or click to link. The software retails for $24.95 and can be ordered from www.frys.com and other popular on-line software/electronic retailers. A $18 stand alone 300CBi add on module is also available from www.justflight.com the software publisher. The R-22 and Bell 206B are included in basic versions of Flight Simulator 2004 and the latest version Flight Simulator X.

 

Help Support The Greater Saint Louis Helicopter Association!

In order to keep membership simple, the Association does not collect any dues from its members. We do sincerely appreciate any contributions from companies or individuals that will help us with event and education costs. Click on this link to learn more on how you can help out.

 

Helicopter Concepts Training DVD - Autorotations in the Robinson R-22

 

Tim Tucker (Chief Instructor, Robinson R-22/R-44 Safety Course) and Michael Zangara (former Robinson Helicopter Test Pilot) have teamed together to produce this excellent instructor's view of autorotations in the R-22. This is a great instructional DVD that is very well produced and shot using multiple cameras both inside and outside the R-22. The price for the DVD is only $39.95 and would be a valuable addition to your technical library. For more information about the DVD simply click on this link: www.helicopterconcepts.com Navigate to the products area.

 

Helicopter Association International (HAI) Features The Greater Saint Louis Helicopter Association In Its Fall, 2006 Edition Of Rotor Magazine

 

Also marking our 10th anniversary is this great profile highlighting the Association. David York, Vice President of Regulations and International Affairs for HAI covers the Association from its beginning through today. We sincerely appreciate HAI for this feature article! Simple click on the Rotor Magazine cover on the left to download a PDF copy of the article.