Mike Becker talks about the Handbook
As a kiwi I grew up loving helicopters and fulfilled my dream to fly them. When I started instructing all those years ago, I was encouraged by my instructor Reg Ellwood to writer a book. I had a very clear ability to take a subject, break it down into manageable learning, and unlock the mystery of aerodynamics and principles of flight.
I initially wrote this manuscript over 18 years ago when I was a helicopter flight instructor in Tauranga and Auckland. At my grandmothers house I wore out her little type writer and drove her crazy with all my mess.
Further down the track in my career I started my own helicopter training company. I felt there were very few young, experienced helicopter pilots who had a passion for teaching rather than just teach as a good retirement job or to build hours. So 12 years ago I started my own helicopter Flight Training school, on the Eastern sea board of Australia at the Sunshine Coast, Queensland Australia.
At that time I found very few clear, concise books on helicopter theory as they relate to the student in the helicopter. Having written this initial book over 20 years ago when I first trained as a helicopter pilot, and later as an instructor ~ I found the same thing as back then; a lack of well written and presentable books. There were lots of "story" style books, and some very technical jargon driven books with, complicated maths and equations. There are also some other military authors who proposed military strategies of training that are not in some cases duplicated in the civilian training arena due to hardware flown. So I wrote this book for the student and instructor alike.
This book was the marriage of technical helicopter aerodynamics and theory and what is expected of a pilot. This book is sold worldwide to students, instructors and already working helicopter pilots. It's used by the Australian defence force and is a listed text for the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (Australia) suggested text for Helicopter Commercial Theory. Detailed lesson plans and objectives both on the theory side and the practical flying lessons. Most helicopters books are either pure theory or pure practical and are usually for student OR instructor, rarely both. You can have zero knowledge and benefit or be an experienced pilot and gain valuable insight and information.
Loaded with clear graphics and diagrams for easy explanation. Lots of white space and attractive covers with detailed and well laid out text inside utilising Information Mapping® technology. This stye of writing is scientifically proven to enable fast retrieval of information so aids learning and information retention. Its not old style wall to wall writing that sends the reader to sleep. Lesson plans are laid out in the exact order you would be taught as a student helicopter pilot. It progresses in the correct order from basic effects of controls all the say through to advanced training slings loads, mountains etc. Clear objectives to be achieved. Gives students the usual common errors made and what to expect from the lesson. They are taken from a cockpit view. Common errors, hints and tips are also real gems throughout the book. Helicopter aerodynamics and theory as it relates both practically and in the classroom. Each chapter covers aerodynamic theory and then relates that to air exercises for each element. It covers all important definitions and helicopter components, that lays the The information is very detailed taking the student through the principles of that flight controls do, how they relate aerodynamically (the theory). This is then translated into how it effects the helicopter in flight as seen from a students perspective.
It gives unique insights for instructors as well to ensure the principles of flight and flying training exercises are concise, driven by clear and concise objectives both for the students theory and practical flying and then instructor alike.
For example the chapter Effects of Controls covers:
- Overview Theory :
- Effects of Controls
- Cyclic
- Collective
- Throttle
- Anti-Torque pedals
- Dragging
- Flap back
- Stability
- Types of Rotor Heads
- Limits to Forward Flight
- Secondary Controls
- Carburettor Icing
- Air Exercises : Effects of Controls Overview
- Airmanship: Handing Over Cyclic
- Air Exercise 5: Using Cyclic
- Air Exercise 6: Using the Pedals
- Air Exercises 7: Using the Collective
- Air Exercises 8: Using the Throttle
- Demonstration 1: Secondary Effects of Control
- Demonstration 2: Effects of Controls at Hover
My book differs in that it outlines objectives, lesson plans, clear chapters and what each student will achieve flying when they put the theory into practise. My book highlights common errors for each air exercises and how things look from the students seat. Hints and tips. Concise, complex and comprehensive aerodynamics theories and principles of flight are brought to life in my text because they are practice and so the student can relate. This is a tool they use before, during and after their training every day. It’s a practical text not a "story" style book.
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