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Recent VR Forum Posts
Tuesday, October 7, 2025

Bro, are you seriously making fun of him?!!!?

Tuesday, October 7, 2025

But how does it not list the degrees and certification?

Tuesday, October 7, 2025

But how?

Wednesday, September 17, 2025

I got to be in a C-130 at an Air Show either at the Little Rock Air Force base or the NLR one. I know what it is like to be flying in a C-130.

Tuesday, September 16, 2025

So this was all a ruse because I knew something fishy was going down.

Friday, September 12, 2025

Guys I found something interesting: The first airplane-like invention was in 1804 by George Cayley. It was the very first prototype on what the Wright Brothers "invented" (they made a copycat) in 1904.

Thursday, September 11, 2025

I love the Idea of minimum associate with a rating brings formaility to the table buit to hold a masters will not safegurad your safety in any aspect only positive experience. Humble opinion 5500 hours commercial pilot no incident or accident with an associate.

Thursday, September 11, 2025

I agree but will not make you a better Helicopter Pilot which is what you are being hired for.

Wednesday, September 10, 2025

Former CEO of Guam Helicopter Company Sentenced to 405 Months in Federal Prison for Criminal Aviation Violations Hagåtña, Guam – SHAWN N. ANDERSON, United States Attorney for the Districts of Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands, announced that John D. Walker, age 60, was sentenced on June 9, 2025 by Chief Judge Frances Tydingco-Gatewood in the District Court of Guam to 405 months imprisonment. On September 9, 2022, a jury returned guilty verdicts against Walker and his company, Hansen Helicopters, Inc., on 110 counts involving conspiracy to defraud the Federal Aviation Administration (“FAA”) and National Transportation Safety Board (“NTSB”), aircraft parts fraud that caused serious bodily injury and death, employing a mechanic without a mechanic’s certificate, registration violations involving helicopters, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, and money laundering. Walker was also ordered to pay a $250,000 fine, and a $9,900 special assessment fee. Walker forfeited $58,407,513, which represented the proceeds of aircraft parts fraud and wire fraud, in addition to $11,770,000, which represented the amount of money involved in the money laundering offenses. Hansen Helicopters, Inc., was found guilty of conspiracy to defraud the FAA and NTSB, in addition to aircraft parts fraud that caused serious bodily injury and death. Hansen received a five-year term of probation, a $4,900,000 fine, and a $2,000 special assessment fee. Walker subverted aviation laws and regulations, enforced by the FAA and NTSB, which protect public health and safety. Walker used at least 48 shell companies, most incorporated internationally, to operate an illicit helicopter/pilot/mechanic leasing business in Guam. By concealing that his aircraft were unregistered or illegally registered, unairworthy, and maintained and operated by uncertificated airmen, Walker entered fraudulent lease agreements with numerous tuna boat companies. He earned over $400 million dollars through his scheme. He concealed his crimes by forging documents, counterfeiting aircraft parts, and bribing aviation officials. “The defendants built helicopters from an assortment of discarded frames and counterfeit parts,” stated United States Attorney Anderson. “They blatantly disregarded aviation laws to build and operate aircraft that should never have left the ground. Fishing companies throughout the Pacific region relied on these aircraft for spotting tuna. Unfortunately, the defendants’ quest for money resulted in the deaths of many pilots. This was a difficult case to investigate and prosecute, but well worth federal resources. I commend our law enforcement partners on bringing these defendants to justice.” https://www.justice.gov/usao-gu/pr/former-ceo-guam-helicopter-company-sentenced-405-months-federal-prison-criminal-aviation Related criminal investigations of individuals and companies related to Hansen Helicopters: https://www.oig.dot.gov/library-item/46116

Tuesday, September 9, 2025

1. Why such a short line? The bucket is not on a line. Its belly hooked and common for the type of environment you work in along with the type of equipment used and the experience you have. In this case, a “belly hooked” bucket on an Astar and dipping from this size of water source is good to go. However, utilizing a machine with fixed floats is odd but maybe it’s common for French firefighting aircraft. As purely speculation on my part, you can see, the water is glass which creates a depth perception hazard. Plus, when descending for the dip, the pilot is probably watching the bucket through the mirror which also creates a depth perception challenge. Moreover, dipping in the middle of the pond maybe isn’t best technique. Normally, you’d want a shoreline in your peripheral vision to provide a visual reference. Helicopter downwash on water can give you an illusion of movement and can be scary stuff. 2. Hot dogging or some other reason to come in so hot? Again, one hundred percent speculation. I wouldn’t say he came in “hot”. However, I believe the depth perception issues and little to no peripheral visual reference ques are what caused an overarched approach resulting in a high sink rate. Me…… with a belly hooked Astar, a shallow(er) approach continually moving forward until the bucket contacts the water, rolls and sinks at the appropriate hover height is optimal (https://www.youtube.com/shorts/Np8Lc5q4rK0). Think scooping the water with the bucket rather than dunking it. Going vertical is for confined dips and should be done while hanging on the engine(s)…… All the above is purely based on what I see in the video and my experience/opinion.