Helicopter Pilots are Different

Click on cartoon "twice" to see it better :-)

Mary found this cartoon for me on the internet. I do have one caveat with this retrospect of helicopter pilots from Harry Reasoner. In the event of engine failure helicopters can and do glide in what we call an autorotation. In effect we become gyrocopters during the autorotation phase of flight. Have you ever seen a Sycamore leaf spin to the ground? Instead of the engine driving the main rotor the wind drives the rotor. Through tons of practice we develop the skills required to land the machine without engine power. It's an exciting and quick maneuver; a definite test of concentration and reflexes. Other than that the cartoon is spot on!