How being a helicopter pilot can teach you some things about business

Some of the things you learn in the helicopter world translate surprisingly well into the business world.

Over the years I’ve noticed that many of the same lessons that keep you safe in the air can also help you succeed on the ground.

So, I thought I’d start with the three questions I’ve been asked most often in my 25+ years of helicopter flying…

Question 2: “Have you ever had an emergency?”

I’ve certainly had a few interesting moments over the years.

Mechanical issues in flight, chip lights, unexpected weather, students (especially students!), and the occasional passenger situation have all meant that I’ve had to deal with inflight emergencies and precautionary landings.

So the honest answer is:

Yes… but never a total engine failure.

(Touch wood.)

The interesting thing is that a complete engine failure is actually an extremely rare event. In aviation we often say:

More often pilots fail engines — engines don’t fail pilots.

And despite what Hollywood might suggest, it’s rarely a dramatic fireball with rotor blades flying off into the distance while the helicopter plunges helplessly to the ground.

Helicopters are designed to autorotate.

By lowering the collective and reducing the pitch on the rotor blades, we allow the airflow from below to keep them turning—rather like a falling sycamore seed. As long as we’re descending, the rotor system keeps spinning and the helicopter remains controllable right down to a safe landing.

But there’s one critical catch.

You must enter autorotation immediately.

If you hesitate, rotor speed decays, control is lost, and things can deteriorate very quickly.

Which brings us to the business lesson:

Hesitation can kill.

Not just in aviation—but decision-making and business.  When the moment comes, you do need to act.