VAI Spotlight on Safety: How to Safely Approach and Depart a Helicopter No one can afford to be careless around a running helicopter. By Mike Becker I remember the news as though it were yesterday. “Lester Chambers, a 58-year-old veteran flight instructor, tragically died after being struck by a helicopter rotor blade at Sunshine Coast Airport on October 4, 2005.” The incident occurred moments after Lester completed a training flight in a Hughes 300 helicopter at Sunshine Coast Airport in Queensland, Australia, (YBSU). After shutting down the aircraft and removing his helmet, he walked away while texting on his phone—unaware of the slowly rotating main-rotor blade, still turning at 20 to 30 revolutions per minute. Lester, who taught at our academy, was struck in the head and critically injured. Transported by the Energex Community Rescue helicopter to Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, Lester sadly succumbed to his injuries less than three months later. With over 11,000 flight hours across 10 helicopter types, Lester was not only experienced, he was respected. He had previously served as a check and training captain in the Solomon Islands. After three years, this was his very last flight with us before he was to move on to another position. This tragic accident serves as a reminder: even the most seasoned professionals are not immune to risk. A Legacy to Lester Lester was more than a pilot—he was a mentor, a friend, and a champion of safety. This was not the way he was supposed to go. As a company, we already had safety protocols in place, such as not leaving the helicopter until the blades had stopped turning, making sure the cyclic was secure with another pilot at the controls, and entering and exiting the aircraft only while wearing a helmet, but there obviously were also some human-factors issues at play. I’ll leave that topic for another column and instead focus here on our immediate response to the accident as an organization. In the aftermath of Lester’s accident, we didn’t just mourn—we acted. We asked the hard questions: • What could we have done differently? • What could Lester have done differently? • How could this have been avoided? • What went wrong? Rather than dwell on blame, we focused on prevention—creating actionable change as a legacy to Lester. Rotor Disc Protocols and the STAR Method After losing Lester, we developed the Rotor Disc Protocols—a set of procedures and cultural practices now embedded in our training, onboarding, and daily operations. Every person who may come near a helicopter—pilot, passenger, student, engineer, ground crew member—receives training. It’s about awareness. It’s about culture. It’s about respect. I share the protocols here with one purpose: to prevent such a tragedy from happening again. Before approaching or departing a helicopter, apply the STAR method: ✅ S – STOP Stand still outside the rotor disc area at a safe distance where the pilot can see you and you can see them. ✅ T – THINK Take a moment to consider what you’re about to do. Are you calm? Are you focused? Is this something you should be doing, and do you have permission? ✅ A – ASSESS Evaluate your situation: • Are you alone or in a group? • Are you carrying bags or equipment? • Is the surface uneven or sloped? • Are you wearing a hat, loose clothing, or carrying anything that could blow around? • Have you put your phone away? • Is the pilot aware of you? • Are the blades spinning at full rpm, or is the engine stopped and the blades are slowing down and susceptible to blade sailing? • What are you missing? ✅ R – RATE Quickly rate the risk. Based on your assessment, ask the pilot for permission to proceed, and then make a clear go/no-go decision. If it’s not safe, don’t proceed, and communicate with the pilot or ground crew. Remember, if in doubt, there is no doubt—don’t do it. Approaching a Helicopter with Blades Turning Follow these steps every time, regardless of how familiar you are with helicopters. • Stop and wait outside the rotor disc area. – This is generally at the 10 o’clock or 2 o’clock position relative to the nose of the aircraft. • Make eye contact with the pilot. – Don’t move forward until the pilot has acknowledged you. • Signal with a thumbs-up to show you’re ready to approach. • Wait for the pilot’s response. – Look for a thumbs-up, nod, or other clear signal. – If permission isn’t given, don’t approach. Approach slowly and directly. – Walk in a crouched position, looking toward where you’re going while keeping an eye on the rotor disc. – Go straight to the assigned door—no detours, no distractions. Stay in front of or beside the cabin. – Never walk behind the helicopter, where the tail rotor is located. Departing a Helicopter with Blades Turning Again, follow these steps every time you depart a helicopter, no matter your experience level. • Check with the pilot before exiting. – Wait for a signal or verbal confirmation that it’s safe to get out. • Exit slowly and carefully. – Unclasp your seat belt and shut the door securely behind you. • Walk to the front of the aircraft, near the pilot’s window. • Make eye contact and give a thumbs-up to indicate you want to walk away. • Wait for the pilot’s return signal. – Walk away only once you receive a clear acknowledgment. • Walk away from the aircraft at the 10 o’clock or 2 o’clock angle. – Stay in the pilot’s line of sight the entire time. – Keep a low profile and move slowly with purpose. – Keep your eyes moving from looking to where you’re going to watching the rotor disc. Note: In some environments, terrain or obstacles may require a different exit route. In those cases, coordinate with the pilot or ground crew to determine the safest alternative. Important Reminders • Never approach the aircraft from uphill or on uneven ground. Rotor blades may be closer to the ground in these situations. • Remember, slow-moving rotor blades (during start-up and shutdown) are harder for the pilot to control and can move inadvertently. • Never carry items above shoulder height. • Ensure that all carry-on items are secured and hats are off. • Never run near a helicopter. • Never use your phone or camera while moving toward or away from the aircraft. • Never assume the pilot sees you—always get acknowledgment. Safety Is a Culture Helicopters are extraordinary machines, but they demand extraordinary respect. Lester’s story is not just one of loss; it’s one of learning. It’s our collective responsibility—whether we be a student, instructor, engineer, or executive—to ensure that no life is lost in vain. Let Lester’s legacy guide your steps. Whenever you’re approaching or departing a helicopter, be a STAR and: • Stop • Think • Assess • Rate. Mike Becker is executive director and chief pilot of Becker Helicopters Pilot Academy in Queensland, Australia. Over his career, he has logged more than 16,500 flight hours across 20 helicopter types, both single- and multi-engine, and holds an airline transport pilot license. He is also the producer of the video “Rotor Disc Protocols,” a training resource suitable for both introducing and reinforcing the STAR procedures.
