Robinson Helicopter has added an instructor pilot standardization course to its training menu. The course is designed to help improve R22, R44, and R66 instructors’ aircraft knowledge, basic and advanced flying techniques, safety, and flight proficiency. The course builds on Robinson’s pilot safety course, which was implemented more than 40 years ago.
Graduates of the instructor course will have the opportunity to join Robinson’s approved training provider network. The company plans to add more factory training programs and incentives that will encourage pilots to train with approved instructors.
During the week-long instructor course, participants attend ground school with “deep dives into crucial topics” and spend several hours in flight training. Focus areas include “a significant emphasis on safety and incident-mitigation strategies; the importance of fundamental maneuvers, advanced procedures, and system failure responses, ensuring instructors can effectively train others in both basic and advanced flying techniques; [and] in-depth instruction on Robinson helicopter design equips instructors with a thorough understanding of the aircraft they’ll be teaching others to fly.”
“This new [instructor pilot] course reflects Robinson Helicopter Company’s commitment to safety and excellence in helicopter training,” said Robinson president and CEO David Smith. “An entire generation of pilots has built their careers from their experience training in a Robinson aircraft. This course aims to advance safety and train the next generation for successful careers in aviation.”