Author Archives: Heligypsy

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About Heligypsy

Has it really been forty-seven years flying helicopters all over the world? I guess it's time to share some stories, I hope you enjoy my adventures.

Minus 40 with Gale force winds.

Posted on October 22, 2007 by Heligypsy

Celsius or Fahrenheit? Both thermometer scales meet at that same low point, as if to say that it doesn’t really matter. Its cold, damn cold. Add a 40 mph wind and the wind chill is -85. I mention this little … Continue reading →

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More from Mexico…….

Posted on October 14, 2007 by Heligypsy

The Conifor (Mexican forest service) is always interesting to work with. I enjoyed running my own show in Ensenada, but it had its price. These folks will kill you if you let them. We had two fires in three days. … Continue reading →

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Here and Now

Posted on October 14, 2007 by Heligypsy

  Paula once asked me if I ever just sit back and enjoy a moment without thinking about the downside. The answer is that I do,but not for long.I suppose you may construe that as a character defect but it … Continue reading →

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Billy is Dying

Posted on September 15, 2007 by Heligypsy

    I was up 12 feet in the air in the dark when I heard the news. Climbing down the gear leg of the SkyCrane with my flash light I walked over to our interpreter/ pilot Kostas and asked … Continue reading →

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The Last 10 Days

Posted on September 4, 2007 by Heligypsy

Sunday Morning on CBS, has long been one of my favorite shows on television. It has held onto its faithful followers and its early morning time slot means that it competes with cartoons, evangelists (same thing) and infomercials. The show … Continue reading →

Posted in Flying Stories, helicopter firefighting | 1 Comment

Eleftherios Skilos (Free Dog)

Posted on August 8, 2007 by Heligypsy

The Greeks first coined the phrase, “Live free or die.” That may be a good philosophy for most of the dogs living here in Athens. Athenians do love their pets. Pet stores outnumber sports stores about 10:1. The problems with … Continue reading →

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Pockets Full of Money

Posted on August 1, 2007 by Heligypsy

One of the best reasons to travel, read and investigate other cultures is to get a different look at life. If you happen to live in North America either Canada or the U.S.A. your views on life while politically different … Continue reading →

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Holding the Line

Posted on July 22, 2007 by Heligypsy

Summertime and the living isn’t always easy, here in Greece. My assignment is firefighting with a SkyCrane based in Athens. The flying we do with this impressive aircraft is called I.A. or initial attack. It is a simple program, get … Continue reading →

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Remembering Katrina

Posted on September 4, 2006 by Heligypsy

In the last days of August 2005 a local firebug was keeping me busy flying initial attack helicopter firefighting in the evenings after my regular work day had ended. Paula and I were sitting down to a late night supper, … Continue reading →

Posted in Flying Stories, Helicopters on Katrina | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment