Short transcript excerpt from a Kenny Keller YouTube video arguing that pilots and flight schools rush helicopter pickups; he urges trainees and instructors to slow down, be methodical (as in helicopter EMS), and avoid pressuring low-hour pilots. A second speaker reinforces the safety-first message: if unsure, refuse the lift (‘no go’).
So while you're doing that nice two step pickup, let's reiterate what we talked about earlier with our CFI applicant. People in general rush their pickups and it's happening all the time. If you slow this whole thing down, the pickups will be much smoother, much neater. Take your time and slow it down. People are rushing way too much. Flight schools push, push, push when they shouldn't be. Push, push, pushing. In helicopter EMS, we did everything slow, smooth, methodical. Then why is some 50 hour pilot being pushed? You know, in a training environment makes absolutely no sense. So flight schools really need to quit pushing their students for speed. It should be go slow, do things right when.
You feel the pressure to fly, but know the right decision is to stay on the ground. Hit the hogs. No go and live to fly another day. Helicopterground.com.
