Navigation for Helicopter Pilots

Twenty years in writing, this informative aviation theory book on navigation is a must for any helicopter pilot.

Navigation for Helicopter Pilots is written by Captain Mike Becker, one of Australia's most experienced helicopter instructors. With over 16,000 flight hours and 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 - 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 while employing a team of more than 30 instructors to deliver over 10,000 turbine training hours per year. This book captures his experience and the breadth of knowledge of the team of flight instructors who, over the years, have contributed to the continual improvement of this book.

This book has been tried and tested in the classroom by hundreds of civil and military students from all over the world who have benefited from the concise, informative and practical writing style.

This book is easy to read, and contains hundreds of colour photographs, illustrations and diagrams. It is a valued addition to any helicopter pilot's collection.

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, 2000 hrs NVG, 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.