This past January, James Viola, VAI’s president and CEO and a dual-rated pilot, attended the Robinson Helicopter Co. (RHC) Pilot Safety Course for the R66 in Torrance, California. His key takeaway: manufacturer safety courses remain valuable, no matter your experience level. “I first attended the course in 2006 and went back every other year for my CFI renewal, then I got busy [working for] the FAA and, later, HAI,” Viola shares. “Working with the US Helicopter Safety Team, International Helicopter Safety Team, and Vertical Aviation Safety Team, I realized it had been a while since I’d been to the Robinson course, and I was interested to see how it has evolved.” Viola found that much had changed. The late Frank Robinson, the company’s founder, used to speak directly with attendees at the beginning of every course, while Tim Tucker, an FAA designated pilot examiner, conducted the class. Now, RHC President Kurt Robinson, Frank’s son, talks with attendees for the first hour of the course, about aircraft accidents. Afterward, Bob Muse, chief safety instructor, takes the reins. “I guarantee that attending the manufacturer safety course for the aircraft you fly will almost always teach you something you didn’t know before.” —James Viola, VAI president and CEO Besides the R66, the 3.5-day course is also available for the R22 and R44 and includes a flight with one of Robinson’s safety pilots. Having previously attended the latter two courses, Viola signed up for the R66 class this time. “I found the level of people in the class fascinating,” Viola recalls. “It was a very international group of people at all levels of skill, and everyone was deeply focused on the course. I got the feeling none of them were there because they had to be there; they were there because they wanted to be there.” The class focused heavily on understanding the aircraft, its limitations and emergency procedures, and the attendees’ own limitations as pilots. Viola found that even though he has a helicopter ATP rating, he still learns something every time he attends the course. “It’s a part of safety, to always be on the lookout for ways you can be a better and safer pilot,” Viola says. “I guarantee that attending the manufacturer safety course for the aircraft you fly will almost always teach you something you didn’t know or realize before.” New to the RHC Pilot Safety Course for 2024 is an introduction to VAI and its member services, including safety programs. Course attendees receive a code to purchase two years’ worth of VAI membership for the price of one. Hi, I'm ROTOR Staff
