Never take your hands off the controls
Reading “What I learned by owning a helicopter” and being a helicopter pilot myself made me think of how this applies to running startups.
You’d think they are far apart, but given that a helicopter is a fundamentally unstable vehicle operating in dynamic conditions close to the ground, they are surprisingly similar to startups. Both are amazingly fragile creatures that can kill you.
Like startups, choppers are flexible, unlike larger planes. They can and do operate almost anywhere, including far from paved roads or runways, BUT you must always watch for obstacles as they can surely wreck your whole day.
Startups & Helicopters are amazingly dynamic creatures
Flying helicopters is actually much easier than you’d think, in part because your eyes & brain are much more powerful than you think (especially when hovering), as long as you don’t overthink. Following your instincts often works best.
And much as they appear to be vertical climbing machines, helicopters actually take off and accelerate much more conventionally than you’d think — they rarely take off vertically, instead, they fly down a runway or other open space until they have enough momentum to climb safely.
Don’t run out of fuel
Don’t run out of fuel or you fall hard & fast, though this can be managed by skilled pilots as long as they are always aware of their surroundings, have a plan, skill, and patience to execute — you only get to do it once, so it’s dangerous you can’t really fully practice it in advance.
Always be planning for disaster
Even if you don’t run out of fuel, you always need to be planning for disaster or serious issues, and have a Plan B, as choppers are much less forgiving than larger planes. Engines die, winds arise, and rough air is never far away.
That means always knowing where you are and which way the wind is blowing. It means knowing where the safe spots to land are, in all directions, and what you must avoid, such as high-tension wires and other obstacles.
Speaking of rough air, you must usually avoid the big jets and the turbulence that surrounds them, as they can flip you over or crash you without them even noticing. We are taught to fly right under them when possible, where the air is smoothest (and they can’t see you).
Crash smartly …
Finally, if you do crash, do it smartly, into the wind, onto a soft spot, and try to avoid killing yourself or your passengers in the process. Then dust off and go in search of another ride … perhaps another helicopter?