Like a good marriage, an abiding love for aviation grows and changes over the years. The emotion is always there, but the reason for the initial attraction isn’t always the same reason you stay committed. I was fortunate to fall in love with aviation as a kid while riding around in the back of my dad’s Cessna 310, and I started flying airplanes almost 25 years ago. But you might say I renewed my vows when I discovered helicopters eight years ago.
Robinson R44 – Why You Can’t Trust a Machine
Key Takeaways:
- The author, an experienced helicopter pilot, recounts the joy and initial customization of his new-to-him Robinson R44 helicopter.
- During a cold weather flight, the activation of cabin heat triggered all three carbon monoxide detectors (being tested), revealing rapidly rising CO levels and leading to the discovery of a major crack in the muffler.
- The incident served as a critical reminder of the absolute necessity of flying with reliable CO detectors, the danger of normalizing warnings, and the importance of maintaining vigilance and skepticism about any flying machine.
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