Squawk 7000 Editorial

May I first wish you a Happy New Year, it seems strange saying that in February, but since we are a quarterly magazine, this is my first opportunity. I do hope that the recent inclement weather we have had over New Year, and throughout January, has not hampered you too much, as we struggled to complete the R22 trial lesson article before the cut off deadline. Don't worry though, it is in this issue.

Some good news on the family front, I would like to announce that I am going to be a Daddy for the first time in late June this year. My wife and I are really excited, as this is our first, and she is buying baby goods left right and centre! I have junior already booked down for a trial lesson in 2024, and I am looking to complete a type rating onto a brand new Quinny pram.

Some more good news, this week in fact, is that the CAA has announced that they are putting a recommendation to the Government, for them to change the law allowing helicopter training from unlicensed airfields. Now, airfield operators may object, saying that licensed airfields offer better safety facilities for students, but in other forms of light aviation that can currently operate from unlicensed airfields, safety has not been a problem. The onus will however be shifted to the flight instructor, but there is an argument here that this always has been so, the instructor needs to ascertain if the student can handle the aircraft before sending them solo. The biggest advantage to this proposal is that helicopter training can take place away from the more expensive airfields, allowing the pricing of helicopter training to become more competitive, which in turn will attract more new students to flying. Think about the typical capital costs and operating costs. An operator flying a second hand Robinson from a farm strip may be able to bring the cost of helicopter flying down to just above gyrocopter hourly rates! This for the industry can only be a good thing, and may in fact kick start the helicopter training industry into serious growth following our recent recession, rather like the scrappage scheme did in the motor sector. I would also like to point out to existing students, that if these proposals are agreed, and the law changes, then cross country and navigational exercises can then be to the smaller unlicensed airfields, farm strips, hotels and helipads that are dotted all around the United Kingdom. This will make some interesting places to visit, not to mention additionally giving the student some real world experience in landing away, and also in mixing with other forms of light aviation that you may not always find at really large airfields, like gliders and microlights at a large airfield like Liverpool John Lennon where I was taught. This mix of real world experience is what learning to fly is all about and will, longer term, make for better helicopter pilots. I'm sure flying schools will welcome the proposals with open arms, not just for the financial implications, but because it will allow them to give a better mix of training.

As I write this, "Heli-Expo", which is one of the largest helicopter shows in the world is taking place in Texas, USA, from 20th to 23rd February 2010. This show will have many of the products that we have already seen and covered at HeliTech in issue two of Helivator, so instead we have devoted an extended News section this month to cater for new products or features that have been announced since our last issue and are of worthy mention.

One item of good news that I heard from the Helicopter Museum is that following our article on The Queens Flight, they have managed to secure the acquisition of a Polish operated Russian Mil-8 VIP helicopter. This has taken years to source and to fund the transportation, and is the first Mil-8 to be placed on display in the United Kingdom. Congratulations to Elfan ap Rees at the Museum for his dedication to the find.

Well, I'm off to Scotland soon, for a well earned break before baby arrives. So may I wish you a very happy Easter, let's hope the weather over the United Kingdom improves and we get some decent flying in.....

Warmest regards,