Just stumbled across this. What a great reminder of some fantastic days.
Unfortunately, I was on the flight where the accident occurred. I can say without doubt the responsibility for the accident rests with the guy who died.
Rod is a top pilot. Just wish he was still giving rides like this.
Hey listen everybody I removed all of the negative and hate filled comments to this video because no matter what you may think of Rod and how he may fly his helicopter, to me this is NOT the forum to be discussing those things. Yes there was an accident where someone on the ground was killed but again NOT the forum to discuss this as there are far, FAR too many ‘stories’ about what happened and not too many facts and I was at that WFFC when that happened.
If you choose to comment please keep it civil and stick to the facts and better yet maybe just stick to comments on the video itself or your memories of the WFFC or jumps or rides you’ve taken with Rod. Thanks in advance for your cooperation with that.
My personal opinion is that Rod is a fantastic guy in the several conversations I’ve had with him and I certainly did trust him enough to take a ride in his helicopter that day (along with DOZENS of others) and would do so again in a heartbeat. The real fact of the matter is that any time you get into anything that flies you are taking a risk and everyone in that helicopter knew the risks and we all signed waivers acknowledging those risks and we all still chose to go for this ride.
With all things that involve risk you make a choice. We were all there voluntarily and in skydiving you train and do all the things that mitigate those risks but no matter how much training you have and what you do plan for every scenario and even if you do EVERYTHING right there is always that possibility that a jump can end very, very badly.
That’s the choice we knew about & chose to accept when we got in Rod’s helicopter. Oh he had someone in the second pilot’s seat to take over in the event of one of those unforeseen things happened.
“Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, a beer in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming “WOO HOO!!! What a ride!!!”
Better days is right!! This was a very low ceiling day (like 2500') & as we walked up they mentioned that which we thought they meant they were not jumping. Nobody else was but they said 'No, no that just means we'll make up for it on the ride!" and as you can see they REALLY did. It still stands as one of my most memorable and favotes jumps of all time!
Memories of better days! I don't know how many times I took that ride, I only know I didn't do it enough. If only Don would bring back the WFFC and Rod too of course. Great video! Thanks for the memory lane ride!
Just stumbled across this. What a great reminder of some fantastic days.
Unfortunately, I was on the flight where the accident occurred. I can say without doubt the responsibility for the accident rests with the guy who died.
Rod is a top pilot. Just wish he was still giving rides like this.
johng3592 6 months ago
Truly the best of the best. Man, I miss the WFFC. The E-ticket ride most of all. Thanks for posting. About made me tearful for days gone by.
swbroughton 1 year ago
Rod Tinney is one of the best, infact probably the best Helo pilot of all time! No Bullshit!
HawaiiIceMan 1 year ago
Hey listen everybody I removed all of the negative and hate filled comments to this video because no matter what you may think of Rod and how he may fly his helicopter, to me this is NOT the forum to be discussing those things. Yes there was an accident where someone on the ground was killed but again NOT the forum to discuss this as there are far, FAR too many ‘stories’ about what happened and not too many facts and I was at that WFFC when that happened.
Tek420Time 1 year ago
If you choose to comment please keep it civil and stick to the facts and better yet maybe just stick to comments on the video itself or your memories of the WFFC or jumps or rides you’ve taken with Rod. Thanks in advance for your cooperation with that.
Tek420Time 1 year ago
My personal opinion is that Rod is a fantastic guy in the several conversations I’ve had with him and I certainly did trust him enough to take a ride in his helicopter that day (along with DOZENS of others) and would do so again in a heartbeat. The real fact of the matter is that any time you get into anything that flies you are taking a risk and everyone in that helicopter knew the risks and we all signed waivers acknowledging those risks and we all still chose to go for this ride.
Tek420Time 1 year ago
With all things that involve risk you make a choice. We were all there voluntarily and in skydiving you train and do all the things that mitigate those risks but no matter how much training you have and what you do plan for every scenario and even if you do EVERYTHING right there is always that possibility that a jump can end very, very badly.
Tek420Time 1 year ago
That’s the choice we knew about & chose to accept when we got in Rod’s helicopter. Oh he had someone in the second pilot’s seat to take over in the event of one of those unforeseen things happened.
“Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, a beer in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming “WOO HOO!!! What a ride!!!”
Unknown
Tek420Time 1 year ago
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lorieden504 1 year ago
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lorieden504 1 year ago
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lorieden504 1 year ago
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mthemaniac 1 year ago
Better days is right!! This was a very low ceiling day (like 2500') & as we walked up they mentioned that which we thought they meant they were not jumping. Nobody else was but they said 'No, no that just means we'll make up for it on the ride!" and as you can see they REALLY did. It still stands as one of my most memorable and favotes jumps of all time!
Tek420Time 1 year ago
Memories of better days! I don't know how many times I took that ride, I only know I didn't do it enough. If only Don would bring back the WFFC and Rod too of course. Great video! Thanks for the memory lane ride!
M the Maniac
D19372
mthemaniac 1 year ago