Success Stories - Bristow Academy formerly Helicopter Adventures Inc

“The job for the 500 and for the 500 pilot, of course, is to support the big logging helicopter. The main thing is to fly all the people into the woods, since it’s such a difficult terrain. That’s also one of the reasons that helicopters are used for logging in the first place. The whole thing starts with the timber fallers. Usually a month before any logging helicopter shows up fallers start working to cut all the timber. That’s real interesting work for the 500 since there is no one else out here in the bush. It can get rough, but it’s also great fun. It also means that there is no mechanic close by. That will make you take care of your aircraft especially well, and if something does break it will be a challenge to get someone out here to get it fixed.

Juerg The helicopter is the main way to get around. Once the logging helicopter shows up, up here in my case right now this is a Vertol 107, the whole things changes a bit. The cutters still have to be flown in and out of the woods, but in addition we also have the rigging crew that wants a ride into the woods. Also the riggers need to get their chockers to set their turns, which will be done by the 500 once in a while. That’s the chance when the 500 pilot gets to work on his long line skills. The long line is a 200 foot steel cable. Who ever has flown with a line under the helicopter will know what 200 feet of cable will do to you. The 500 is also used for charter flights. Even though charter it’s not Columbia’s main business you can charter a helicopter pretty much any time. Up here in Alaska, where helicopters are a common way to travel, that is used quite a bit.

Juerg Up here in Alaska we are heli-logging because the terrain doesn't allow any other type of logging. For the helicopter to land the cutters will prepare a heliport, which is typically two supported logs, just far enough apart so the skids fits on it. The hill is usually so steep the rotor blades are only a few feet away from the hillside, while the tail is sticking far out. A lot of precision is necessary to land on these heliports to make sure that you don't fall off. Columbia requires the 500 pilots to land within 6 inches of a designated spot before they qualify someone in the aircraft. Now we just throw in some wind with the turbulence that comes with it on such a hillside, and we’ve got a challenge going!