UH-60 Blackhawk Observers Keep Skills Fresh
Sometimes the statement “Once a pilot always a pilot,†is more truthful than you would think.
Recently, two pilots who have been transferred to duty involving monitoring and supervising flights with the 3rd Infantry 2nd BCT had an opportunity to get back into the air, albeit in a different manner.
Chief Warrant Officer Jake Baird and Captain Joseph Seibert flew UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters before being tasked with flight monitoring duties.
A small remote control helicopter passed into their possession when the soldier that owned the helicopter was transferred back stateside to Georgia. At first the helicopter was in pretty rough condition, with the rotor blades broken and the model aircraft in pieces.
But, with persistence and diligence, and ordering of some spare parts, soon the model helicopter was back in the air. The two pilots, when not on duty spend a lot of hours working to master the flying. Which, surprisingly enough is harder than it sounds. The model helicopter is made in Europe, and the rotor blades spin a different direction than the real life aircraft that the two pilots are used to.
American helicopter rotor blades spin counter clockwise, and so many of the attempted flight tricks that the two pilots try fail miserably, as the model aircraft responds differently than what they think it will. This doesn’t keep them from trying.
“We are working to develop our skills, and maybe even develop it into our off duty hobby,†said Captain Baird.
