Win A 2005 Heli Ops Calendar

[Flinger]

I fly helicopters for a living! What's not to love? My office has the best view anywhere.

 

[helix]

As a lowtimer and avid lurker on this forum i can only second prior posts from our oldhightimers...
And thanks to all the members that give some kind of industry insight with their comments. They are really informative. (Lately it was getting a bit grotesk though)

I would love to know more of you guys personally! :wub:



well, you see I do REALLY want that calendar

 

[Rotorboy2]

Why do I love the helicopter industry?

There are many reasons I love flying helicopters but certainly the best one is water bucketing on a fire! Water bucketing is an absolute blast! It is a great opportunity to hone your skills at slinging (something I haven't done alot of) and the it is just like playing a video game!

Flying a helicopter is a very satisfying job. The people are great, willing to help each other out, even when from other companies, and being out on a summer's day at 1000 AGL with the doors off is the best way to fly! B)

I must love doing it as I left a cushy desk job in the software industry in Vancouver to move to northern Alberta to be doing it!

 

[Puddle Jumper]

The one thing I absolutely love about the helicopter industry is the free stuff! Where else can you get free t-shirts, hats, calenders and the ocasional christmas gift.

I can truly say the best part of the industry is the people. Nothing beats being stuck in the middle of nowhere, meeting up with fellow pilots and engineers, having a few cold ones and swapping stories.

In addition I love getting to see new places, and love being outside with mother nature.

Can't wait to finish the maintenance school and get back into the helicopter industry!!

 

[Harmonic_Vibe]

What does it for me is the ever-changing dynamic. I guess way back people stayed at the same company for a long time but over the 10+ years that I've been doing this it has changed.

You are a dues-paying member of a fraternity of individuals who want nothing more than to see "what's over the next hill...". I met some people in the high arctic that had paid $10,000 USD for an "eco-tour"... I was getting paid about $500/day to see the arctic from the air...

After doing the four corners of North America and a few others around the world, there's not a thing I would change... although I guess I should have called some of those girls back... like I promised

HV

P.S. Sticky, what was that about a "shortline bucket"? Are they still making those?

 

[Helihound]

Heli Ops,

Best experience would have to be the places the industry takes a pilot. There is nothing like the sunrise in the Mountains, the North or Coastal regions of Western Canada on a cool crisp morning. Heading out not knowing what adventure lies ahead for the day, or the people that may join you in making it another unforgettable experience. And as always returning to share tales of each over a beer.

 

[Sticky]

P.S. Sticky, what was that about a "shortline bucket"? Are they still making those?

I fly a 212 on RapAttack so no sticks in the left seat (AB forestry policy)...as you can imagine it makes longline bucketing a REAL challenge ... you need either extremely long arms to fly from the left or a giraffe-like neck in the right seat. Shortline is the order of the day and it really makes for a nice, quick, low-level circuit in the flatlands of Northern Alberta so I enjoy it nonetheless... although you sometimes get pretty up close and personal with larger fires... :blink:

 

[Skids Up]

What can be better? Even the absolute worst day in the world flying, is better than the best day in anything else!

27 years in the pilots seat, 6 years (before flying) in the tool box, and it's still the greatest. I've been paid to go places that some people spend a LOT of money to see. B)

And I've been in some places that I hope I never see again...

But when you get in, and complete that link between the cyclic and collective, there ain't nothing like it.

 

[GoldMember]

The people, sunrises, sunsets, scenery, bugs, camp food, wildlife, smoke, early mornings, post fire parties, .... and lets not forget rock and roll, chicks, glory, and the endlessly considerate and fair-minded banter on this forum.

Oops, almost forgot the absolute best thing about this business; the free calenders from Heli-Ops!

 

[Heli Ops]

Anyone else want one, or is that it.

Cheers

Heli Ops

 

[412driver]

just got back from a trip to winterpeg for a 25th party. but hey, i'm in!!


i love it for the travel, people and comradierie!!

 

[MagSeal]

I'm not sure if this qualifies for a calendar, but the best experience I've had in this industry was the last time I had to work with T-rex...

Just kidding T-Rex....I'd do anything to get my hands on one of those calendars, even if it's at your expense.

 

[Winnie]

Well of course I want one!!

I like the part of the ins=dustry where I am, because I get to see the satisfaction in a person when he or she get their first license, I get to see the smile and selfsatisfaction when my student reach a goal like to do their first solo.

And I get the satisfaction of knowing that I brought them part of the way!

 

[RDM]

I enjoyed watching Winnie squirm and wiggle in his chair when I had one of his canidates in the classroom and I was pre-breifing them on a commercial ride.

...now that was enjoyable.

how's it going there anyway big dog?

 

[Winnie]

RDM, that was very astute!

I may now be in the position to do the same thing to other instructors!

Cheers and you never sent me your new street location, so I could send you that Ol' Sam!

Cheers
H.