Surviving on a Deserted Island: When a Helicopter is at Your Disposal

Imagine this scenario: you’ve found yourself stranded on a deserted island, and you’ve discovered a perfectly working helicopter. But you have no experience flying one. Would it be wise to attempt to fly it to reach civilization, or should you opt for alternative survival strategies?

Basic Knowledge and Instructions

One option to consider is if the helicopter has a manual or some basic instructions. In such a situation, you might attempt to read and follow them. However, it’s crucial to understand that flying a helicopter requires specific skills, including controlling the aircraft, navigation, and safety protocols. Without proper knowledge, the risks of injury or a crash significantly increase.

Risk of Injury or Crash

Helicopters are complex machines, and without experience, operating them carries a high risk. A lack of understanding can lead to dangerous situations. For instance, overcorrection or improper use of controls can result in accidents. It’s essential to prioritize your safety and the safety of others.

Alternative Options

Before attempting to fly the helicopter, consider alternative methods of escape. Signal for help by using a reflective surface to make a large SOS on the beach. If you have supplies, wait for rescue or try to make a raft if you are near water. These strategies might be safer and more reliable than attempting to fly a helicopter without experience.

Assessing Your Situation

Evaluate your current situation. How long have you been on the island? Is a rescue likely? Assess your physical condition and the availability of basic supplies like food and water. If you are in a safe place and have the necessary resources, it might be better to wait for rescue rather than risking a flight.

Flying as a Survey Student

However, the scenario shifts if you have some basic flying experience. As a student pilot for fixed-wing aircraft, you have 200 hours in C172’s and a Mooney M20J. Add to that a half-hour ground school on a Robinson R44 helicopter, where you learned about proper control usage and received a brief flight. Your experience might make the difference.

For your birthday in 2016, you had the opportunity to fly a Robinson R44. The ground school emphasized not over-correcting, which is crucial in both fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft. Despite initial excitement, the instructor guided you through the startup and the initial flight, highlighting the "not as hard" compared to fixed-wing aircraft. The instructor handled the takeoff and landing, while you took control for the majority of the time. Even though you found the flight easier than anticipated, it’s still a complex task.

It’s important to remember that while your experience is valuable, taking control of the helicopter is a significant responsibility. You must also consider the risks associated with attempting a flight without proper training.

Emergency Signaling Devices

If you lack flight experience but have a perfectly working helicopter, you also have other emergency signaling devices. For example, a flare gun or a radio can be used to raise a mayday and attract attention from passing ships. In a similar vein, an air horn can be used to issue a distress signal, even if the radio fails. Any nearby ships, including commercial fishing vessels, are likely to respond.

Conclusion

In conclusion, if you have basic flying knowledge or can acquire it quickly, and have assistance, attempting to fly the helicopter might be a viable option. However, if you do not have this experience, it is wiser to rely on alternative methods of signaling for help, waiting for rescue, or using emergency signaling devices. Your safety and well-being should always be the primary concern.