Helicopter Pilot Adele on Fear, Flight and Kindness: Bonus Episode

Episode Summary

In this bonus episode, helicopter pilot Adele returns to share deeper reflections on kindness, fear, emotional intelligence, and crisis management in aviation and life. She talks about why her ideal billboard would simply say “Be kind to each other,” opens up about her fear of public speaking despite a high‑risk job, and describes a pivotal in‑flight engine incident that she calls the day she “actually became a pilot.” The conversation explores expectations placed on pilots, the importance of crew resource management, and how self‑kindness and knowing your own reactions under pressure can transform both work and life.

Key Takeaways

Kindness matters more than we think Adele’s billboard message would be “Be kind to each other”, highlighting how many problems come from a lack of empathy and taking time to understand others. Kindness isn’t just outward-facing—being kind to yourself is crucial for growth and confidence. Public speaking can be scarier than extreme physical risk Despite being a helicopter pilot, Adele finds public speaking and situations where she might embarrass herself more terrifying than skydiving. Confidence in speaking is a muscle that needs practice, even for people who seem naturally comfortable on stage or on mic. Travel, beauty, and environmental reality Adele loves Indonesia for its culture, people, and nature, calling it a turning point in her life. She also notes the shocking plastic pollution, with “confetti beaches” where sand is largely plastic. Canada still pulls at her heart, especially the mountains—but brutal winters make her unsure about moving back full-time. Helicopter flying: range, routes, and fears Most helicopters can fly 2–2.5 hours on one tank, continuing as long as there are fuel stops. Ocean crossings are possible via staged routes (e.g., via Iceland), but Adele is not a fan of flying over open water. Wildfire flying as a future goal Adele is interested in moving into wildfire fighting operations, including vertical reference and longline work, to help communities affected by fires. Misconceptions and expectations of pilots People often don’t expect Adele to be the pilot, and treat her differently once they find out what she does. There’s a strong image of what a pilot “should” look and act like, which she doesn’t fit, and she’s always balancing authenticity with professional expectations. Emotional intelligence and crew dynamics save lives Adele explains crew resource management (CRM) and why “soft skills” like communication, feedback, and trust are actually critical safety skills. She discusses the danger of authority gradients where co‑pilots are too afraid to challenge captains, sometimes with fatal consequences. Good crews balance clear leadership with genuine openness, so everyone feels able to speak up. The day she “actually became a pilot” Adele shares a detailed story of an engine malfunction in a Sikorsky 76, flying single-pilot from remote fishing lodges. She had to manage power, monitor for fire, navigate terrain, communicate with ATC, and land safely on one engine, all while alone and out of radio range for part of the flight. That incident proved to her she could rely on her training under pressure and shaped her identity as a pilot. How helicopters land if the engine fails Adele breaks down autorotation: using rotor inertia and airflow so the helicopter can still be controlled and landed without power. With training, pilots can pick a spot, flare, and land with control, rather than “falling like a rock.” Crisis responses and self-awareness Both discuss how people react in crises—fight, flight, or freeze—and the importance of knowing your own default. Michelle reflects that she’s often very effective in real crises, even if she feels chaotic day to day. Self-kindness as a dare For her personal “dare,” Adele commits to being kinder to herself, acknowledging she is her own worst critic. With constant negativity in the world, she wants to focus on positive