wrote:


I live about 5 miles from Ocean Helicopters. There is actually
another ocean helicopters in Virginia that is slightly cheaper. The
Ocean here was $205 the last time I was in there. The best instructor
they have is Eva, but apparently she is not the best pilot in the
world because she had a mid air at 100 feet during an autorotation.
Apparently, she gave a broadcast call stating she was doing an auto,
but failed to get confirmation from a glider tow pilot on the same
runway that he had heard her. I really like Eva a lot, but this is
the way I see it. She could see the tow pilot sitting on the runway
from 1000 feet, be he couldn't see her so the responsibility of
getting radio confirmation would be hers.


I got my commercial about 1 week before Eva had here accident. She was
not my instructor. I flew with Jon, and I was perfectly happy with him.

I don't believe the gliders have radios. If they did, they certainly
dident use them much. Because I had the same problem not hearing a word
from the glider pilots. I'm sure I will get flamed here but this is an
example of why I think all aircraft flying out of public airports should
use a radio.

Still, you have to respect the R22 a little more because the two
people in the R22 walked away with a few bruises and the tow pilot is
still in a wheelchair. The 14 year old kid in the glider is the only
one that didn't wreck his aircraft.

BTW, where do they keep the dorms? They must be off airport
somewhere. I never knew they had them.

I don't know the area but I did fly over them when I was there. They are
about 5 miles away.

John Roncallo