412driver

Hmmm. medication to rid the illness, alcohol to relieve the stress... just say f@#k it to fatigue and have a nap? 😝

This last summer, almost every fire fighter I flew was high. It reeked. I complained to the bosses at the base. They laughed at me. They said "we are all potheads! Since Trudeau made it legal. Besides, if we ban it then we won't have any fire fighters." Sad state of affairs. I keep pondering retirement and $#@t like this is making the decision easier...

To find out where your fuel is when you REALLY need it. Be in this business long enough and you'll know. I'm not attacking. I guess Lat&Long with go the way of the clutch pedal in cars.... LOL

Ok...you are in 2 miles / 10 OVC and smoke in northern Alberta and that scenario happens... Go ahead, pull out your map and show me where you are... just saying. And we are not "Legends"... just old guys that managed to get old in this business.

I have to admit... this gets me a bit ticked. As an instructor I made sure my students could read a frickin' map and understand lat & long. When I did PPC's, I covered the topic as well. Not understanding this basic principle of flying is like a driving school not teaching you how to understand street and traffic signs. If in fact, his/her Instructor did not teach the OP this most basic flying requirement...then shame on their Instructor.

Still here? I'm travelling so just looked in. But this is my last. Moving over to the Heli-Ops Forum. So cheers all. Stay safe!

I would like to add this little piece of advice. Do NOT get the IFR endorsement unless you really plan to use it. It takes a lot to maintain it and is not worth just to have "in your back pocket". That said, it was an eye opener to come out of the bush to civilized life. BIG difference. I really miss it when I am sitting in "Bear Testicle, Saskatchewan" swatting at the bugs. But then again, I only work about 50-60 days a year in the summer and get paid well for it. Semi-retirement I guess. I would not find that in the IFR world... Cheers.

This forum is just about done. Mixed feelings if I will miss it or not. Miss the old days, where discussions were actually about helicopters and the industry as opposed to all the BS about whether or not you were vaccinated. When legends like Bob Kelly, BlackMac and others gave their opinions and people listened... Truthfully, I am trying to get away from social media so whether I make the jump? Dunno... But I truly wish everyone the best. It was a good run (Covid years aside). Keep the spinning side up boys and girls. Respectfully, 412driver

I meant the money is better now than when I made the change to IFR. Never regretted the move though...

I did it when I had around 3500 hours. Enjoyed getting out of the swamp. Did the Helijet thing for 5 years which is great to get very experienced in IFR as you will use it (daily in winter). Then the overseas market opened up and I travelled. Great adventures there. Middle East, S.E. Asia etc. Pay took a hit initially but now the money is much better (Way more than the 90K previously mentioned 😉). But even the overseas stuff gets old eventually. Now I am at 11K+ hours and back in the swamp with my Bell medium. Getting close to retirement... summers only for me... one year at a time...

No... I make 500 a day + 150 p/hr with 3 hour mins (non-avg'd)... THAT's a pretty good rate 😉

Disagree, that could hurt the next driver...but I love the "Chernobyl" idea on start. Both throttles wide open, hit one starter and as soon as that ignites hit 2nd starter and exit the aircraft and walk away...Beautiful... LOL

Oh YES! So agree!! Take your time...you will come up with ways. But NEVER admit, confess or even share.

PT? Give us his full name. I would...