Automation on Helicopters: Lessons From Fatal Accidents
When highly automated helicopters are hand-flown into the ground by pressing the wrong buttons, it is time to review some
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helicopters
Indian LUH Soars High
In a significant milestone, the Light Utility Helicopter (LUH) developed by state-run Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) recently demonstrated its ‘hot
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My ‘Mann Ki Baat’ on Why BJP MP Balaknath’s Helicopter Spun Around!
What Happened On Sunday, 30th Jun 2019, a light helicopter (appears to be a single-engine Bell 407) carrying BJP Member
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Flying Leonardo’s AW139 – The Offshore Industry’s Workhorse
As a pilot flying for the offshore oil & gas industry in India, I am fortunate to actively fly two
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Tail Rotor Troubles
I write this in the wake of two recent tragedies involving conventional rotorcraft where amateur footage of the helicopter spinning
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Aircrew Fatigue – An Indian Helicopter Pilot’s Perspective
Indian Case Study Case 1: On 19th Apr 2011, a Mi-172 operated by an Indian carrier crashed short of a
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Crucial Nod for Indian Navy’s Helicopter Programs
When it comes to procurement matters, Indian MoD is an unlikely paragon of efficiency, even on a weekday. Saturday, 25th
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Who Will Save The Saviours?
Kerala, ‘God’s Own Country’, and the land of my ancestors saw the worst floods in a century recently. Even as
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Rise & Triumph – Lessons for Make in India
Recently, I went bike-accessory shopping with my friend and fellow aviator Kinny. He is busy pouring money on an imported
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The Untapped Potential of Helicopters in India
When I started my helicopter career in India, we were often put on hold to accommodate fixed wing traffic. “Orbit
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Lessons From A Daring Night Rescue
What Happened? On 1st Dec 2017, just three days shy of ‘Navy Day’ celebrated to commemorate Indian Navy’s audacious attack
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Pushing the Rotor’s Envelope
A helicopter does not want to fly. It is maintained in the air by a variety of forces and controls
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Don’t Wait Until Dark
During 2003-2010, the United States oil and gas (O&G) exploration industry had a collective fatality rate that was seven times
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Engine Failure on Helicopters
Recently, I launched a paper aeroplane from the edge of a cliff to the delight of my son. As we
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Helicopter Launch and Recovery Methodologies – Offshore versus Navy
Ignorance is Bliss? As a young helicopter pilot in the navy many years ago, terms like Performance Class 1, Category
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Wheel versus Skids – Who wins?
While hover taxying on the Bell 412 during a particularly rainy day, we suddenly got caught in a heavy monsoon downpour and
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OMG! Not today!!
As a helicopter pilot, one is used to juggling numerous variables while operating with ships. Apart from the usual weight,
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Beatup Sheetup
Every pilot crosses those ‘log book milestones’ when you feel that extra ounce of confidence and panache in your flying skills. This
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