What do pedal steelers and helicopter pilots have in common?
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- Bob Womack
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What do pedal steelers and helicopter pilots have in common?
A. The only thing anchored is the backside. Everything else is furiously working. Not a joke.
Bob
Bob
"It is said, 'Go not to the elves for counsel for they will say both no and yes.' "
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Hovering is like standing on ball!Jeff Garden wrote:I'm a retired helicopter pilot and there are many similarities
both hands and both feet are working all of the time in coordination...the pedal steel may be a bit more difficult as both knees are involved as well!
pedal steel is a bit safer, though, unless you're playing in a really rough club
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- Dave Hopping
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A friend let me take the controls of his Piper Cherokee for a few moments once when we were at altitude. While I wasn't comfortable enough (financially, that is!) with it to follow up with actual instruction, I could see some similarities with steel playing in that in both situations there are numerous points of interaction with a mechanical device, and therefore a lot of parameters under one's control.
I've heard of fixed-wing pilots describing the experience as one of "wearing the aircraft", which seems very like playing pedal steel when everything is going right. My question is whether steel-playing helicopter pilots ever feel that degree of calm control when flying.
I've heard of fixed-wing pilots describing the experience as one of "wearing the aircraft", which seems very like playing pedal steel when everything is going right. My question is whether steel-playing helicopter pilots ever feel that degree of calm control when flying.
Don’t know whether he plays pedal steel, but…Dave Hopping wrote:My question is whether steel-playing helicopter pilots ever feel that degree of calm control when flying.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YUT-d_ZmIPY
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Being a “Retired Airline Captain” and Steel Player I have to chime in here.
Yes “all pilots” use hands, feet, at different times on the rudder pedals,throttles, yoke etc. However “ A Helicopter” is described as a “Thousand Parts” going in all directions and the “Pilot” is one of them.
Ok Helicopter Pilots now it is your turn.
Yes “all pilots” use hands, feet, at different times on the rudder pedals,throttles, yoke etc. However “ A Helicopter” is described as a “Thousand Parts” going in all directions and the “Pilot” is one of them.
Ok Helicopter Pilots now it is your turn.
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- Roger Rettig
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Jeff Garden's a retired Coastguard helicopter pilot and has executed some pretty hair-raising rescues in hostile environments. He's been good enough to share a few stories with me.
The tough jobs he's done sound like they have a parallel in pedal steel: that's finding yourself on the Opry on TV night and having to play the intro and solo to 'I'll Come Running' in front of millions (especially if you can't play that fast to start with! )
The tough jobs he's done sound like they have a parallel in pedal steel: that's finding yourself on the Opry on TV night and having to play the intro and solo to 'I'll Come Running' in front of millions (especially if you can't play that fast to start with! )
Roger Rettig - Emmons D10
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(8+9: 'Day' pedals) Williams SD-12 (D13th: 8+6), Quilter TT-12, B-bender Teles and several old Martins.
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I’m not flying in anything that don’t have wings and has to beat the air into submission so I’ll stick with pedal steel, lol.
Henry Matthews
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D-10 Magnum, 8 &5, dark rose color
D-10 1974 Emmons cut tail, fat back,rosewood, 8&5
Nashville 112 amp, Fishman Loudbox Performer amp, Hilton pedal, Goodrich pedal,BJS bar, Kyser picks, Live steel Strings. No effects, doodads or stomp boxes.
- Brooks Montgomery
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as an "entry level" player, I've had a few gigs that I felt like I became "the pink mist" (Jeff Garden will know that term--walking into the tail rotor).
I've spent thousands of hours (well hundreds at least) in my past life in helos in 'necky' situations, mostly as a rescue guy, in the back, not flying. Wish I had those hours on the pedal steel.
I've spent thousands of hours (well hundreds at least) in my past life in helos in 'necky' situations, mostly as a rescue guy, in the back, not flying. Wish I had those hours on the pedal steel.
A banjo, like a pet monkey, seems like a good idea at first.
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We had a guy at NAS Whiting Field who approached a turning Huey on the ramp at night from the 6 o'clock position. Who does that? The T/R cut his helmet completely through. Incredibly after a sewing machine worth of stitches he recovered and continued on active duty - with the callsign RotorfaceBrooks Montgomery wrote:as an "entry level" player, I've had a few gigs that I felt like I became "the pink mist" (Jeff Garden will know that term--walking into the tail rotor).
:
- Brooks Montgomery
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Ouch. I tackled a few in the field that were headed back there. Thankfully, never saw the mist. With all that racket and high anxiety, it sure can cause some jack-wagonry.Jeff Garden wrote:We had a guy at NAS Whiting Field who approached a turning Huey on the ramp at night from the 6 o'clock position. Who does that? The T/R cut his helmet completely through. Incredibly after a sewing machine worth of stitches he recovered and continued on active duty - with the callsign RotorfaceBrooks Montgomery wrote:as an "entry level" player, I've had a few gigs that I felt like I became "the pink mist" (Jeff Garden will know that term--walking into the tail rotor).
:
A banjo, like a pet monkey, seems like a good idea at first.
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- Jeff Garden
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Proud to have served, Harry. Everything was about operating as a crew and we'd all do anything to help each other out to get the job done. Great group of dedicated folks to work with. I did a tour at Air Station Cape Cod down your way in the early 1980's. Very fond memories. The weather out on Georges Bank can kick up pretty good!