Helicopter Online Ground School Podcast

The “two flights a day” approach isn’t about doing less — it’s about doing smarter. It’s structured repetition, thoughtful rest, and focused review. Flying helicopters demands physical skill, mental clarity, and emotional control. If you’re exhausted, you’re not learning — you’re surviving. So cut the unnecessary flying, focus on quality over quantity, and train like a pro. Because on check ride day, it’s not about who fle...

At www.HelicopterGround.com you can start a FREE 24-Hour Test Flight inside any of our courses — Private Pilot, Instrument, Commercial, or CFI. No credit card. No pressure. Just real lessons, real videos, and the tools that have helped thousands of pilots worldwide pass their check rides with confidence.

And while you’re getting your logbook in order, grab the free tools every pilot should have before their next che...

Over the years, Kenny has seen students who walked into a check-ride nervous but prepared — their FAR/AIM tagged, color-coded, and ready.
Then he’s seen others scramble through unmarked pages when the examiner asked something simple like, “Where do you find currency requirements?”

Guess who leaves with a temporary airman certificate — and who leaves with homework?

The takeaway? Don’t just own a FAR/AIM. O...

Preflight discipline is a mindset. It’s something the best pilots carry from their first lesson through their entire career.
 When you make it a habit to shut out distractions and stay methodical, it shows up everywhere else — in your flying, your confidence, and your decision-making.

If you’re training, start now.
 When you preflight, commit fully.
 When someone else is, give them space.

Because whe...

Pilots are using AskHogs before their check-rides and coming out ahead — sharper, more confident, and finally understanding the why behind what they’re doing.
It’s like having Kenny sitting in the hangar next to you, only without him drinking all the coffee. ☕

It’s free. It’s instant. And it’s freakishly good.

👉 Try it now: AskHogs.com
👉 Check out full training courses: HelicopterGround.com

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.

📕 Top 10 Check-Ride Tips ...

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...

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...