Rotorhead!
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Rotorhead!
"Rotorhead" - disparaging comment or badge of distinction?
Recently I've noticed that as I spend more time learning about helicopters, friends and teachers at school (Colorado Aero Tech) will sneer and refer to me as a "rotorhead", as though I were some kind of hopeless case.
Now I could care less what these chumps think about me personally - but I am curious to understand the element of elitism that seems to surround fixed-wing aircraft and the people who fly them.
Do those of you who pilot these rotorcraft run into this a lot? If so - why do you think that is?
Personally, I think it has something to do with jealousy; over what I call the "gonad factor" (or ova, as the case may be). The technology is amazing - but it still takes some moxy to work on or around these birds - a more rugged (better?) pilot / mechanic.
Any other ideas?
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Patience is letting your motor idle when you feel like stripping your gears.
Recently I've noticed that as I spend more time learning about helicopters, friends and teachers at school (Colorado Aero Tech) will sneer and refer to me as a "rotorhead", as though I were some kind of hopeless case.
Now I could care less what these chumps think about me personally - but I am curious to understand the element of elitism that seems to surround fixed-wing aircraft and the people who fly them.
Do those of you who pilot these rotorcraft run into this a lot? If so - why do you think that is?
Personally, I think it has something to do with jealousy; over what I call the "gonad factor" (or ova, as the case may be). The technology is amazing - but it still takes some moxy to work on or around these birds - a more rugged (better?) pilot / mechanic.
Any other ideas?
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Patience is letting your motor idle when you feel like stripping your gears.
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Invariably, when I have come face-to-face with a (working) fixed wing pilot I have received nothing but (sometimes grudging) respect for my ability to fly helicopters. Professional fixed wing pilots know all too well that learning to fly a helicopter requires far more eye body coordination and raw flying skill than flying a plank ever will. They may have pitied or envied me for a career choice that has no where near the financial potential that an airline job offers, but I have always received admiration for being a professional helicopter pilot.
Your chumps are probably just afraid that you might actually do it and thereby rub their noses in their own inability to do the same. It's always easier to knok a fellow than it is to encourage him - NOT.
Your chumps are probably just afraid that you might actually do it and thereby rub their noses in their own inability to do the same. It's always easier to knok a fellow than it is to encourage him - NOT.
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It's really a personal choice you have to take for yourself, but believe me, flying helicopters will be a more rewarding job then any plane-jockey will ever have. Of course, then there is the money too. Don't let anybody discourage you, just tell them as we say-
HELICOPTER PILOTS DO IT BETTER, BOTH HORIZONTAL AND VERTICAL.
That's the fact. I hope I didn't offend anybody with that statement.
HELICOPTER PILOTS DO IT BETTER, BOTH HORIZONTAL AND VERTICAL.
That's the fact. I hope I didn't offend anybody with that statement.
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I've run into this smug elitism all the years I've been at it. But, as said above, when you get them face to face and honest most of them respect and envy what you are able to do. They will not share their paycheck with you but they will respect you.
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Yeah, I've run into all these things from time to time (and the female thing, heli lonestar). But it happens the other way round too. If you get a group of helicopter pilots together they talk the same way about f/w pilots. So, for those of us who happen to like flying both....
Whirly
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To fly is human, to hover, divine.
Whirly
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To fly is human, to hover, divine.
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As we used to say about the F4 drivers,"All that noise - and they can't even hover!!!!"
Or, in the words of the song, "Jets sound so punchy on the R/T, but when they bang out 50 miles off, they call for ROTARY"
[This message has been edited by G. Zussnut (edited 11 November 2000).]
Or, in the words of the song, "Jets sound so punchy on the R/T, but when they bang out 50 miles off, they call for ROTARY"
[This message has been edited by G. Zussnut (edited 11 November 2000).]
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Mriya225,
Great topic but im afraid until the commercial world respects helicopter pilots or engineers the fixed wing world wont.They seem to have this god given idea that the higher you you fly the more respect you should get.I say try flying lower over the north sea close to a rig at 100kts 1500m at 200 ft with only the radar and an ndb to guide you and no choice from the cheese trolley.Thats flying
Great topic but im afraid until the commercial world respects helicopter pilots or engineers the fixed wing world wont.They seem to have this god given idea that the higher you you fly the more respect you should get.I say try flying lower over the north sea close to a rig at 100kts 1500m at 200 ft with only the radar and an ndb to guide you and no choice from the cheese trolley.Thats flying
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Countdown,
You are absolutely right, there is no flying quite like it and most fixed wing professionals I have come across have shown me nothing but admiration and respect for my ability to fly a helicopter.
BUT, unfortunately our flying skills are not the issue here, economic impact IS. How can we ever expect to compete with moving 300 people, many of them CEO's and other VIP's in one trip from 'here' to 'there'? Why do we earn about as much as a bus driver? Because to the economy, that is what we are.
Sorry
You are absolutely right, there is no flying quite like it and most fixed wing professionals I have come across have shown me nothing but admiration and respect for my ability to fly a helicopter.
BUT, unfortunately our flying skills are not the issue here, economic impact IS. How can we ever expect to compete with moving 300 people, many of them CEO's and other VIP's in one trip from 'here' to 'there'? Why do we earn about as much as a bus driver? Because to the economy, that is what we are.
Sorry
Je suis une fille drôle et drôle!Guest
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There is still too much ignorance in the aviation community as a whole with regards helicopters. The helicopter is a relatively new piece of equipment and until we educate as many people as possible that will always be the case.
So be kind, do your bit for helicopters, and educate a fixed wing driver. Maybe one day we will earn as much.
So be kind, do your bit for helicopters, and educate a fixed wing driver. Maybe one day we will earn as much.