Apache VS F/A-18 - Why Flying Helos is Harder than Fixed Wing | Mike Drop Ep #169 Clip - Ryan Fugit

About this video

Former Navy SEAL Mike Ritland interviews a guest, Ryan Fugit, who discusses the differences between flying helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft. Fugit explains that helicopter flying requires mastering the art of manipulating three controls simultaneously, with hovering alone taking six to eight hours to learn regardless of skill level. He describes how older helicopter pilots often have better control touch, while fighter pilots benefit from younger reflexes, and reflects on the demanding nature of flight school where students are evaluated daily for 14 months.

Key takeaways

• Fugit explains that hovering a helicopter requires simultaneously manipulating three controls (cyclic, collective, and pedals), with each input requiring immediate corresponding adjustments to the other two, taking six to eight hours for anyone to learn.
• According to Fugit, older helicopter pilots tend to be safer due to their refined control touch and spatial understanding, while fighter pilots benefit more from younger reflexes and faster reaction times.
• Fugit describes flight school as a 14-month grind involving weekly written exams and daily performance evaluations with instructor pilots reviewing mistakes after every flight.

Episode details: published January 10, 2024 · 3.9K views · 5:38 long. Summary written by Self Growth Videos from the episode itself. Stories told by Mike Ritland’s podcast guests are the guests’ own accounts, attributed to them — not independently verified. Commentary is Ritland’s, presented as his analysis.

← Previous: Army Apache Helicopter Pilot Ryan Fugit Part One · Next: Content You Can’t See - Moderating the Dark Web with CIA Officer Ryan Fugit | Mike Drop Ep #170 Clip →

All Mike Ritland videos · Mike Ritland profile · Mike Drop (official site)