Mike Becker's Helicopter Handbook. Volume 1: Basic Training for Helicopter Pilots and Instructors (Mike Becker's for Helicopter Pilots)

Mike Becker's Helicopter Handbook was first published in 1986 and has been an essential training tool for student pilots, flight instructors and fully qualified pilots for more than 25 years. In 2023, this book was completely revised and expanded into two volumes: Basic Training (this release) and Advanced Training (due for release later in 2023). This volume focuses on basic flight training, supported by hundreds of colour illustrations and photos.

Captain Mike Becker is one of Australia's most experienced helicopter instructors. With over 16,000 flight hours and a recipient of the "Captain John Ashton Award for Flight Standards and Aviation Safety" by the Guild of Air Pilots and Air Navigators of London. Mike's experience provides invaluable insights and real hands-on knowledge. Mike Becker started flying in 1984. His career has been as diverse as the number of helicopter types he has flown - from the smaller R22 to the larger B212 and Sikorski S62, and most types in between. As Chief Pilot and Head of Training Operations, Mike has managed and operated a fleet of over 20 helicopters, employing a team of more than 30 instructors to deliver over 10,000 training hours annually.

This book puts his skill and understanding of flight into clear, concise language and easily understood graphics. It tackles the complexities of helicopter flight and breaks these down into easy-to-understand principles. It is a practical learning tool and covers the preparation and air exercises required for basic helicopter flight.

Built on years of experience, Mike Becker's Helicopter Handbook is a well-trusted and comprehensive text that is a must for the student pilot and flight instructor; it is an excellent resource for licenced pilots to brush up on their pilot skills or study for their instructor rating and is also an exciting text for any helicopter enthusiast. This book has been tried and tested in the classroom by hundreds of civil and military students worldwide who have benefited from the concise, informative and practical writing style.

Captain Mike Becker is an internationally experienced helicopter pilot, instructor, examiner, author and aviation industry leader with more than 40 years in helicopter operations and training.He began flying helicopters in 1985 and has accumulated more than 16,500 flight hours, including over 10,000 hours of flight instruction and 2000 hours Night Vision Goggles Instructing, across more than 20 helicopter types. His operational experience includes search and rescue, emergency medical services, firefighting, utility and sling operations, mining and exploration support, cattle mustering, charter, corporate flying, air tours, instrument operations, night flying and Night Vision Imaging Systems.Mike holds an Airline Transport Pilot Licence (Helicopter) and has served as a Grade 1 Flight Instructor, Chief Pilot, Head of Training Operations and CASA flight examiner across a wide range of helicopter licences, ratings and operational endorsements.In 1995, Mike co-founded Becker Helicopters Pilot Academy, which developed into one of the largest privately owned helicopter training organisations in the Southern Hemisphere. Its civil and military training programs supported customers from Australia and internationally, including major government and defence organisations.Mike has also contributed extensively to helicopter safety and industry development. He has served in senior industry association roles, participated in aviation advisory committees and technical working groups, and worked with organisations including the Australian Civil Aviation Safety Authority and Vertical Aviation International on helicopter training and safety initiatives. His work has included initiatives addressing inadvertent flight into instrument meteorological conditions, spatial disorientation, night vision operations and advanced helicopter training.He is a recipient of the Captain John Ashton Award for Flight Standards and Aviation Safety, presented by the Guild of Air Pilots and Air Navigators of London.Mike's books distil decades of cockpit, instructional and operational experience into practical, accessible training material. His philosophy is simple: the better a pilot understands the helicopter, the environment and the reasons behind the procedures, the safer and more professional that pilot becomes.That philosophy underpins the entire Mike Becker Helicopter Series.