Helicopter Online Ground School Podcast
Podcast produced by Kenny Keller the creator of Helicopter Online Ground School and author of the Amazon No. 1 Best Seller Helicopter Check Ride.
Episodes
It’s okay to break a rule — when you understand it well enough to know why the exception exists.
Guarding the collective isn’t just about control; it’s about discipline, awareness, and respect for how quickly things can go wrong in the wrong hands.
So, never take your hand off the collective…
Except when you should.
And when you do, make sure it’s for the right reasons.
📘 Free Helicopter Training Re...
Repetition Builds Real Instructors
At H.O.G.S., we’ve always said the best CFIs are built, not bought.
The same goes for knowledge.
If you want to pass your CFI check-ride and go on to be a truly effective instructor, commit to doing the work.
Write it.
Say it out loud.
Explain it to someone else.
Repetition is how instructors are made — and it’s the only way to master the FOI.
Free ...
At H.O.G.S., we’re all about simplifying the process — making it easier to understand, but never cutting corners. That’s why we offer free resources that help you start building your own foundation the right way:
📘 Private Pilot 101 – A Helicopter Training Blueprint
The book that lays out the fundamentals every pilot (and future instructor) should master before teaching others.
The Basics Never Go Away
Every pilot, from student to seasoned CFI, can benefit from this reminder: the basics never stop mattering. The ACS checklist is the foundation for a smooth, stress-free check-ride. Forget it, and you’re setting yourself up for a preventable disaster.
So before your next check-ride, grab your ACS, flip to that back page, and go through it line by line. It’s not just about paperwork—it...
Old-School Habits That Still Save Lives
Some habits aren’t outdated — they’re timeless.
That’s why at H.O.G.S., we teach students to go back to basics.
Start the timer. Track your burn. Check your math.
Don’t let the simplicity fool you — that’s what keeps you sharp, aware, and safe.
Because at the end of the day, technology can fail, gauges can glitch, and fuel doesn’t forgive mistakes.
F...
Join the Discussion
Have you ever been taught to add right pedal during your sprag clutch check?
If not — why do you think that is?
Join the conversation and share your thoughts on the H.O.G.S. YouTube Channel.
🎥 Watch the full video: Why You Should Be Adding Right Pedal During Sprag Clutch Check
👉 HelicopterGround.com
Triple-Check Everything
As Kenny puts it, “You can’t assume someone else handled it for you — because when you’re sitting with the examiner, you’re the one responsible.”
That means before your check-ride, you should:
-
Review every endorsement — make sure it’s signed, dated, and matches the correct regulation.
- Compare your logbook totals to the FAA requirements for your certificate or rat...
The Final Approach Course Advantage
When you book a Final Approach Course, you’re not just training for maneuvers. You’re:
- Getting logbooks reviewed line-by-line.
- Matching your hours directly against ACS requirements.
- Finishing strong with an examiner who’s worked with us for 25+ years.
If you’re ready to finally finish your rating, call Heather at (574) 767-1797 or visit ...
Final Approach Course Advantage
At H.O.G.S., our Final Approach Course was built to help pilots avoid mistakes like this. We’ve seen 30 check-rides in 30 months, and every one revealed lessons worth sharing.
That’s why we keep spots limited — one or two students at a time, with instructors dedicated to getting you finished up the right way.
👉 If you’re stuck waiting on a check-ride, or you’re not sure...
The Final Approach Course Advantage
At H.O.G.S., we’ve run 30 check-rides in 30 months. Every single one revealed a new lesson, a new mistake, or a new technique worth sharing. That’s why we created this series—to help you avoid these pitfalls before you sit down with the examiner.
When you book a Final Approach Course, you get:
- 🚁 One or two students at a time, max.
- ✅ Instructors focused...
Final Approach Course Advantage
This is exactly why we built the Final Approach Course. For 30 months now, we’ve welcomed pilots from across the country who just couldn’t get finished at home. Maybe their instructor left, their aircraft was down, or they were stuck behind a full schedule.
At H.O.G.S., we keep it simple:
- 🚁 One or two students at a time, max.
- ✅ One-on-one instruction, both...
What would you do at 70 knots in an R44 when the tail rotor suddenly fails?
That’s not a trick question—it’s one of the most critical emergency procedures you’ll ever face. And believe it or not, in the last 30 months of Final Approach Courses (FAC), we’ve had at least three applicants confidently give me the wrong answer over Zoom before they ever made it to Indiana.
Instead of following the Pilot’s Operatin...
When Rich came to H.O.G.S. for his CFI add-on, he immediately stood out. A retired airline captain with over 26,000 hours, he carried himself with calm confidence. During his very first Zoom session, he offered to teach the S-bar maneuver off the cuff — and delivered a polished 45-minute lesson like it was second nature.
That kind of preparation and professionalism left an impression. Rich showed what it looks like ...
Check-Ride Essentials: Don’t Walk In Without These
When it comes to check-rides, even the strongest applicants can stumble if they’re missing the required items. No matter how sharp your flying skills or how deep your knowledge, the check-ride won’t start without the proper documents.
In today’s episode of 30 Check-Rides, 30 Lessons: Final Approach Course Real-World Wins & Fails, we share Robert Gardner’s...
When pilots work toward their Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) Add-On, there’s one requirement that often comes as a surprise: the written test.
It’s not unusual for pilots to assume that once they’ve already completed written tests for their previous ratings, the CFI Add-On will be just about teaching and flying. But the FAA requires a separate written knowledge test specifically for the CFI Add-On.
Why Thi...
Episode 2 — Stuck at 170 Hours: The Flight School Trap
In this episode of 30 Check-Rides, 30 Lessons: Final Approach Course Real-World Wins & Fails, Kenny Keller shares Cameron’s story.
Cameron traveled from Florida with 160 hours logged — but still hadn’t earned his Private Pilot certificate. The problem wasn’t his motivation or his instructors. It was the same issue faced by countless students:
Today’s a big one — the first video in our new 30 Check-Rides, 30 Lessons series is live, and I wanted you to be the first to see it.
In this first episode, I introduce the series and share Todd Ketterman’s journey — how he leveraged H.O.G.S. videos before ever stepping foot in a helicopter to make his training smoother, faster, and more certain.
Here’s what you’ll discover:
- How Todd went from str...
Send in your FAC Qualifications here: https://www.helicopterground.com/test-fac-2025
Get your H.O.G.S. Affiliate: https://www.HogsPaysMe.com
Helicopter Online Ground School: https://www.helicopterground.com
H.O.G.S. Blog https://www.helicopterground.com/blog
Private Pilot: https://www.helicopterground.com/store/tExAoUCL
Instrument Pilot: https://www.helicopterground.com/store/kGZZ4FX7
Send in your FAC Qualifications here: https://www.helicopterground.com/test-fac-2025
Get your H.O.G.S. Affiliate: https://www.HogsPaysMe.com
Helicopter Online Ground School: https://www.helicopterground.com
H.O.G.S. Blog https://www.helicopterground.com/blog
Private Pilot: https://www.helicopterground.com/store/tExAoUCL
Instrument Pilot: https://www.helicopterground.com/store/kGZZ4FX7
Send in your FAC Qualifications here: https://www.helicopterground.com/test-fac-2025
Get your H.O.G.S. Affiliate: https://www.HogsPaysMe.com
Helicopter Online Ground School: https://www.helicopterground.com
H.O.G.S. Blog https://www.helicopterground.com/blog
Private Pilot: https://www.helicopterground.com/store/tExAoUCL
Instrument Pilot: https://www.helicopterground.com/store/kGZZ4FX7
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