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 Resources:

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 Tools to Help You Study Smarter

You don’t have to do it alone. H.O.G.S. has free study resources designed to help you sharpen your FOI understanding and reinforce the fundamentals that matter most.

📘 Private Pilot 101 – A Helicopter Training Blueprint
📕 Top 10 Check-Ride Tips PDF
📗 H.O.G.S. Study Guide
📙 Helicopter Maneuver Guide 

And if you’re close to your CFI check-ride, our Final Approach Course is designed to get you trained, tested, and certified — all in one trip.

👉 FinalApproachCourse.com 
📲 Or text Heather at (574) 767-1797 to book your spot.

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 PDF
Real-world tips from years of successful check-rides — the same ones Kenny uses in every Final Approach Course.

📗 H.O.G.S. Study Guide
A structured way to quiz yourself and reinforce your weak spots before you step into the examiner’s office.

📙 Helicopter Maneuver Guide
A quick-reference manual for common maneuvers — perfect for building into your own lesson plans.

These tools are free for a reason — because they’re designed to help you build, not just copy.

The Real CFI Success Formula

Kenny’s message in this video is simple but powerful:
If you want to pass your check-ride and actually teach with confidence — build your lesson plans yourself.

Don’t outsource your learning.
Don’t shortcut your understanding.
And don’t hand an examiner someone else’s work with your name on it.

The best instructors aren’t the ones with the fanciest binder — they’re the ones who know their material inside and out.

That’s the CFI success formula:
Write it. Learn it. Teach it.

📲 Learn more about the Final Approach Course: https://www.FinalApproachCourse.com
💬 Have questions? Text Heather at (574) 767-1797 for scheduling and availability.

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’s about professionalism.

✅ Join the Final Approach Course: FinalApproachCourse.com
✅ 24-Hour Free Test Flight: HelicopterGround.com 

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.

Finish Strong with the Final Approach Course

If you’re working toward your next rating and want to make sure your training, procedures, and check-ride habits are solid, our Final Approach Course is built to get you there.

📍 Now booking for October.
👉 Visit FinalApproachCourse.com  or email [email protected]  to reserve your spot.

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:

These steps may sound simple, but they prevent one of the most frustrating outcomes: traveling for your check-ride only to find out you’re missing something small that stops the whole process.

Finish What You Started

The Final Approach Course was designed for exactly these situations — helping students tie up loose ends, fix missing requirements, and finish their training the right way.

📍 Now booking for October.
👉 Visit FinalApproachCourse.com  or email [email protected]  to secure your spot.

The Final Approach Course Advantage

When you book a Final Approach Course, you’re not just training for maneuvers. You’re:

If you’re ready to finally finish your rating, call Heather at (574) 767-1797 or visit FinalApproachCourse.com . We have October openings right now.

Free Resources

Takeaway

The 5-hour instrument requirement for Commercial helicopter isn’t optional, and it isn’t confusing once you know the rule.

A CFI or CFII can sign it. A safety pilot cannot. Get it right in your logbook and you won’t get tripped up on check-ride day.

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 if your logbook is ready, call Heather at (574) 767-1797 or visit FinalApproachCourse.com . October openings are available now.

Free Resources

Takeaway

5 hours of instrument training is required for your Commercial rating — but logging it wrong could fail you before the blades even turn.

Keep your logbook clean, consistent, and examiner-ready. That’s what separates the pilots who finish strong from the ones who walk away frustrated.

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:

And the best part? October openings are available right now.

👉 Call or text Heather at (574) 767-1797 or visit FinalApproachCourse.com to grab a spot.

Free Resources

Takeaway

Pulling the collective to your armpit may sound like “max performance,” but it’s a max error. It kills RPM, kills climb, and could cause a fatal accident.

The pilots who pass check-rides—and stay safe in the real world—are the ones who train smarter, not harder. Todd’s story proves it: mistakes can become lessons, and lessons can save lives.