Training Testimonials
Dear Bob,
I have just attended your seminar in Nanaimo. My good friend had gone through your course in Hong Kong as a pilot with Heliservices and based on what he had told me I was very much looking forward to it.
I am an eleven year rotary spray pilot who has worked in the wire environment extensively. The use of Heinrich's Triangle and 'near misses' shed new light on my career as a pilot. As you can imagine, my few near misses had grown exponentially by the end of the course. Even though I am predominantly alone in the helicopter, the use of CRM when I do have passengers whether it be hydro related or not will become indispensable. I remember more than one occasion when a passenger has communicated their concern regarding the weather (amber alert), while I was solely focused on completing the task at hand.
What you bring to the industry through your experience, knowledge and teaching is invaluable. Thank you for your perseverance in wanting to make a proactive change in this industry that seems to be so complacent at times.
All the best,
Christopher
Hi Bob,
How you doing? Just wanted to let you know that I found the "flying in the wire and obstruction environment course", really interesting and I have changed the way I fly. I have noticed plenty of Code Reds and take action when I notice them. Just yesterday, I was hovering next to a structure when the observer informed me that the batteries went dead in his gyro-stabilizing binoculars. Before I would have just held the hover next to the structure, but I broke off and went into a holding pattern by a near by field until the problem was fixed. All the best, will probably do the course again in a couple of years.
--DAVE McColl – 3/15/2011
Dear Bob,
Thank you very much for giving the course on "Flying in the Wire Environment" last Friday. Those of us from the Hong Kong Aviation Club who attended at the invitation of HeliServices found it most informative and stimulating.
-- John. 11/22/2010
The feedback from the course was very positive. It has now put all our linesman/cameramen and pilots on the same page. I have been flying all this week and I have noticed a big difference in the crew dynamics on the patrol.
Cheers,
-- Dave
Received 11/06/2010
Bob,
Thanks again for your two day presentation at Idaho Power. Like I told you, I have been flying Idaho Power in and around Hell's Canyon for about the last 12 years. I thought I knew it all when it comes to power line patrol but your class was very informative with a lot of eye opening information that is imperative for any patrol pilot. I would recommended this course to anybody who is going to do this kind of work. The utility companies should make this a mandatory class for flight crews.
Thanks again,
Jay Ferguson
Received 8/18/2010
Hi Bob,
I attended your, flying in the wire environment, course here in New Zealand a couple of weeks ago and I must say I learnt a huge amount, not just about the wire environment but about all the various aspects of CRM you spoke about as well. Very informative, Thank you.
-Jon Keller
Received 8/16/2010
Fantastic course
We particularly liked the course content which covered aspects of crew resource management.
Regards
Rob
Received 8/2/2010
I attended your seminar in Palmerston North last Wednesday August on the wire and obstruction environment. I am fairly new to the aviation industry (just over 300 hrs in helicopters) and I wanted to take this opportunity to thank you for taking the time to come and chat to us. I found the day extremely beneficial and it has taught me a lot of good lessons.
I have attended many talks/lectures in the past, and indeed have taken a few myself. I know how hard it is to keep the audiences attention for 20 mins let alone a whole day. I have to say there was not one point in the day where I felt myself not concentrating. I was fixed for the whole lecture, that says to me that everything you said was enlightening, interesting and extremely critical to flying.
I especially found the crew resource management section particularly of interest. Having spent 4 years as an Infantry Officer in the British Army, I always found good communication is essential in maintaining complete effectiveness and efficiency in everything that we do. The biggest thing I learnt from your lesson was this: I always assumed that my "situational awareness" was pretty good, however you made me realise that in the air you can never have enough. In future I will strive to ensure 100% concentration. Little things like fiddling with cameras, feeling crook all can pay a big factor to adverting attention from flying the aircraft. I fly mainly scenic flights and sometimes have to catch myself on as it is easy to get caught up in the commentary and not paying attention.
Thank you for pointing these pertinent points out to me. I hope you enjoy the rest of your time in New Zealand and I look forward to attending Part 2 when you return later in the year.
Kind Regards,
Paul Beckett
Helistar Helicopters
Received 2/27/2010
Houston, TX
I cannot believe that I have flown helicopters for 25 years without this course. The single most important safety training course that I have done. Every helicopter pilot should take it.
Received 2/27/2010
Houston, TX
Bob continues to improve an already outstanding course. Updated information, very knowledgeable of all the subject matter.
Received 2/27/2010
Houston, TX
Fantastic ! Very well presented, extremely pertinent and timely. Sequence of information right on for maximum impact. Great course – look forward to the next one.
Received 2/27/2010
Houston, TX
Bob, even after having the opportunity to preview Part II, it was a great and informative treat to see the entire presentation from start to end. I like the way you made everyone feel necessary.
Helen Jones -
Received 9/28/2009
Brisbane, Australia
Have just returned home from brisbane after going to Bob's Flying the Wire and Obstruction Environment Training. I did have a bit of a "i hope this doesn't take all day attitude" before i walked in much to my lack of knowledge about the subject. I have been pretty simple minded about wires, "there's a wire don't hit it ......"
From the moment Bob introduced himself at 9.00am he set about , in a true AL GORE style with the most thorough entertaining educational conference, not to mention excellent food untill 4.30pm." Thank you for providing such an informative course.
Received 9/24/2009
Brisbane, Australia
I found the course excellent and well presented - Bob is an excellent personality and capable expert in the field. It was a pleasure to host the events and certainly should be considered into the future, especially if it were possible to undergo the advanced training package.
I solicited general feedback from a cross section of the attendees and all agreed that it was a worthwhile course for both pilots and crew. Many were extremely complimentary of the method of course presentation. One of our military helicopter pilots (Chinook) was excited that this was the standard of material being provided to civilian audiences - she indicated that this was an essential part of her military training.
I have personally learned a number of lessons for my own flying style and I have found myself applying the lessons that Bob has so enthusiastically presented. A fair percentage of the material is committed to my memory which, to my reckoning, indicates it has been well presented.
I would like to extend our thanks to yourself, Bob and his wife for making the effort to get into regional Queensland. I believe that this course presents a unique and necessary element in low level operations and I would be happy to advocate it.
Received 9/23/2009
Sydney, Australia
Thank you for organizing such a fantastic day for us all at Bankstown. The Wire Strike Course was interesting from start to finish, and Bob had us engaged the entire time. He is a master! Please thank him from all of us at________.
Received 9/14/2009
Sydney, Australia
Thanks for great CRM & Wire Environment training session at the Rydges, Bass Hill last week. This was undoubtedly one of the best safety type training courses I have ever attended.
Can I reinforce some positive points about the training?
- Very high quality presentation
- Very relevant material
- Presenter was a ‘true’ expert in the subject matter – this is often overlooked
- Audiovisual aids extremely good & useful
- Presentation underpinned by extensive research & incident investigations – invaluable
- Length of course was appropriate – training is often too long these days
Received 7/29/2009
Blenheim, New Zealand
Hi Bob,
I had the pleasure of attending your seminar in Blenheim earlier this week.
As you are probably aware we are heavily involved in the Power line industry and having attended this seminar, thought it may be a good idea to look at the possibility of running the course specific to the power line industry for some of our customers and their crews.
Could you let me know availability and cost involved in running a course such as this and any other specifics that may be involved?
Kind regards,
Received 7/9/2009
Minneapolis Minnesota, USA
Hi Patricia
I heard positive feedback from all
I do not have any specifics however, just positive comments
Received 6/18/2009
Vernon BC, Canada
We all enjoyed the presentation, very well done and very educational. In spite of the imposed time constraints, I would have sat for a few more hours to get the full presentation.
Thanks,
Received 6/14/2009
Nanimo BC, Canada
Thank you very much for a very essential course. I was one of the pilots and found the content very useful. Please allow me to mention some points.
As a pilot, whom just recently had an accident with a good outcome, I cannot overemphasize how real these dangers are. I therefore found it very disruptive of some course attendees in the way they behaved during the presentation. I can only assume that these members place their lives and ALL the risks of this environment on 1 pair of shoulders. I hope they have placed their funeral song requests. With that attitude, it is absolutely a matter of " when " not " if ". It is respectful to live to view this course with the necessary seriousness.
I hope the future does not make it a privilege but a necessity to attend your course.
Received 6/10/2009
Vancouver BC, Canada
Hi Robert,
I just had a few friends go though your course in Vancouver BC and they thought it was really excellent. I was wondering if we could set something up to start running our guys though. Look forward to hearing from you.
Thanks,________
Received 6/4/2009
Smithers BC, Canada
I just took the Utility Flight Operations Course Part 1 from Bob and want to pass on my compliments for an excellent course content and presentation. I've had many training sessions from a number of people and must say that this one is the best I've seen yet. Bob kept the whole group interested with his excellent pictures and diagrams and I felt it was well worth my time and really enjoyed the course...keep up the good work!
Received 4/23/2009
Portland OR, USA
Hi Patricia,
The class was great as usual. Your team always does a superior job.
Received 2/2/09
Nelson BC, Canada
This seminar had so much to offer and has changed the way I fly.
I can't thank you enough.
Received 1/23/09
Vancouver BC, Canada
Mr. Feerst
I would like to thank you for your course we attended in Vernon with ________. It has provided some valuable information I know my partner and I will be looking forward to putting into practice in the near future. There was tremendous content of which I mentioned while briefly talking with you would have incredible impact with the Heli-ski industry.
Again thank you for your time during your program.