26-Aug-2013 Source: HAI
Recently, HAI President Matt Zuccaro had the opportunity to ride along on a helicopter aerobatic demonstration flight with Red Bull pilot Chuck Aaron, the only FAA certificated helicopter aerobatic pilot in the United States.
The flight occurred while both Matt and Chuck were attending an aviation association town hall meeting and airshow, July 12-13, in Tarkio, Missouri, sponsored by Sam Graves (R-Mo.), chair of the U.S. House of Representatives General Aviation Caucus.
Matt recalls Chuck’s kind invitation: “I didn’t have to be asked twice; I was in the helicopter before Chuck! I was not only excited about the ride, but also about being reunited with an aircraft model I had piloted for thousands of hours in my line pilot years, the MBB Bo 105.”
HAI President Matt Zuccaro was buckled into the helicopter before Chuck had started to walk toward it!
While Matt had previously flown aerobatics in fixed-wing aircraft, like most helicopter pilots he understood that you do not perform aerobatics in helicopters. “That being said,” says Matt, “I knew the capabilities of the aircraft and the pilot, so my only thought was, let’s go.”
With an aviation career spanning decades, Matt rates the flight with Chuck as the best experience he has ever had in a helicopter, and, surprisingly, one of the most comfortable. “It was a pleasure watching a true safety-oriented, professional pilot in action as we rolled, looped, and split-S our way through the blue skies of Missouri. I am thankful to Chuck for giving me this fantastic opportunity and will remember it always.”
Zuccaro has flown helicopters for many years; his flight with Chuck ranks as his best experience yet.
HAI is excited to announce that both Chuck Aaron and his Red Bull helicopter will be on the display floor at HAI HELI-EXPO 2014 in Anaheim, California, from February 24-27.
