After 30 months of working with students from all over the country, one thing is clear: success on check-ride day comes from mastering the fundamentals, not chasing the exotic. Know your Category and Class. Know your night requirements. Get those simple things right, and you’ll earn instant credibility with your examiner.🚁 Your Free H.O.G.S. Resources to Master the BasicsThe best way to reinforce these fundamentals is with the tools that keep you sharp long after your lesson ends.Start with your Free 24-Hour Test Flight at www.HelicopterGround.com . Explore our full online courses for Private, Instrument, Commercial, and CFI — all built to simplify complex FAA topics and help you pass with confidence.Then grab our free resources:🧭 www.HogsGuide.com — Helicopter Maneuver Guide📘 www.PrivateBlueprint.com — Private Pilot 101: A Helicopter Training Blueprint🏁 www.HogsTopTen.com — Top Ten Check-Ride TipsWhen you’re ready to finish your training strong, visit www.FinalApproachCourse.com — home of the in-person Final Approach Course with Kenny Keller and the H.O.G.S. team.Every successful pilot starts with a solid foundation. Don’t overlook the basics — master them, live them, and fly with confidence.

The “two flights a day” approach isn’t about doing less — it’s about doing smarter. It’s structured repetition, thoughtful rest, and focused review. Flying helicopters demands physical skill, mental clarity, and emotional control. If you’re exhausted, you’re not learning — you’re surviving. So cut the unnecessary flying, focus on quality over quantity, and train like a pro. Because on check ride day, it’s not about who flew the most — it’s about who’s the most ready.🚁 Free H.O.G.S. Resources to Maximize Your PrepReady to sharpen your training and finish strong? At www.HelicopterGround.com, you can start a Free 24-Hour Test Flight inside any H.O.G.S. course — Private, Instrument, Commercial, or CFI. Study at your own pace, from anywhere, with real-world lessons that align with what examiners expect.And don’t forget your free PDF downloads:📘 www.PrivateBlueprint.com — Private Pilot 101: A Helicopter Training Blueprint🧭 www.HogsGuide.com — Helicopter Maneuver Guide🏁 www.HogsTopTen.com — Top Ten Check-Ride Tips When you’re ready to take the final step, visit www.FinalApproachCourse.com — where pilots from across the country come to complete their check ride prep with Kenny Keller and the H.O.G.S. team.Each resource is designed to simplify the complex, eliminate overwhelm, and build confidence — so you show up ready, not rushed.

At www.HelicopterGround.com you can start a FREE 24-Hour Test Flight inside any of our courses — Private Pilot, Instrument, Commercial, or CFI. No credit card. No pressure. Just real lessons, real videos, and the tools that have helped thousands of pilots worldwide pass their check rides with confidence.And while you’re getting your logbook in order, grab the free tools every pilot should have before their next check ride:🧭 Download the Free Helicopter Maneuver Guide at www.HogsGuide.com — packed with visual references, tips, and insights straight from real training.📘 Get your copy of Private Pilot 101 – A Helicopter Training Blueprint at www.PrivateBlueprint.com . This free download breaks down the exact steps from day one of training to your check ride.🏁 Grab the Top Ten Check-Ride Tips at www.HogsTopTen.com — a no-fluff checklist that has helped hundreds of pilots pass with confidence.✈️ And when you’re ready to finish your training strong, visit www.FinalApproachCourse.com to learn about the H.O.G.S. Final Approach Course, where pilots from across the country come to complete their check ride prep in person with Kenny Keller and the team.Got questions while you study? Visit www.AskHogs.com and chat directly with Kenny’s AI clone — built from over 24 years of flight instruction and thousands of real-world student questions. Whether you’re struggling with cross-country planning, logbook endorsements, or aerodynamics, AskHogs gives you instant, personalized answers, 24/7.You’ve got free tools, lifetime resources, and an entire H.O.G.S. community backing you. Don’t let something as small as a missing signature be what grounds you. Preparation isn’t just part of the process — it’s the foundation of every successful pilot. So total those pages, sign those lines, and show up ready to fly. Because at the end of the day, professionalism starts before takeoff — it starts with your logbook.

Over the years, Kenny has seen students who walked into a check-ride nervous but prepared — their FAR/AIM tagged, color-coded, and ready. Then he’s seen others scramble through unmarked pages when the examiner asked something simple like, “Where do you find currency requirements?”Guess who leaves with a temporary airman certificate — and who leaves with homework?The takeaway? Don’t just own a FAR/AIM. Own what’s inside it.🎓 Free Resources for Pilots: 📘 Download the Helicopter Maneuver Guide 🧭 AskHogs.com – Your 24/7 Helicopter Instructor

Preflight discipline is a mindset. It’s something the best pilots carry from their first lesson through their entire career. When you make it a habit to shut out distractions and stay methodical, it shows up everywhere else — in your flying, your confidence, and your decision-making.If you’re training, start now. When you preflight, commit fully. When someone else is, give them space.Because when it comes to aviation safety, silence really can save lives. 🚁 Learn more about the Final Approach Course: https://www.FinalApproachCourse.com 💬 Got questions 24/7? AskHogs.com — your helicopter training co-pilot.

Pilots are using AskHogs before their check-rides and coming out ahead — sharper, more confident, and finally understanding the why behind what they’re doing. It’s like having Kenny sitting in the hangar next to you, only without him drinking all the coffee. ☕It’s free. It’s instant. And it’s freakishly good.👉 Try it now: AskHogs.com 👉 Check out full training courses: HelicopterGround.com

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:Private Pilot 101 – A Helicopter Training Blueprint Top Ten Check-Ride Tips Helicopter Maneuver Guide AskHogs.com — Kenny’s AI clone answers helicopter questions 24/7

Repetition Builds Real InstructorsAt 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 SmarterYou 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 FormulaKenny’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 AwayEvery 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 LivesSome 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 CourseIf 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 Heather@HelicopterGround.com  to reserve your spot.

Join the DiscussionHave 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 EverythingAs 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:Review every endorsement — make sure it’s signed, dated, and matches the correct regulation.Compare your logbook totals to the FAA requirements for your certificate or rating.Confirm instructor qualifications for each stage of training.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 StartedThe 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 Heather@HelicopterGround.com  to secure your spot.

The Final Approach Course AdvantageWhen you book a Final Approach Course, you’re not just training for maneuvers. You’re:Getting logbooks reviewed line-by-line.Matching your hours directly against ACS requirements.Finishing strong with an examiner who’s worked with us for 25+ years.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 ResourcesHelicopter Maneuver Guide – free PDF for maneuver standards.AskHogs.com – Kenny’s AI clone, answering your helicopter training questions 24/7.HelicopterGround.com – explore any course with a free 24-hour test flight, backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee.TakeawayThe 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 AdvantageAt 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📘 Helicopter Maneuver Guide  – free PDF to sharpen skills.🤖 AskHogs.com – Kenny’s AI clone, answering your training questions 24/7.🎓 HelicopterGround.com – explore any course with a free 24-hour test flight, backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee.Takeaway5 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 AdvantageAt 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:🚁 One or two students at a time, max.✅ Instructors focused 100% on your finish-up.📝 Full ACS prep, including paperwork checks.👨‍✈️ An examiner we’ve trusted for 25+ years.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📘 Download the Maneuver Guide  — a free PDF built from the Helicopter Flying Handbook.🤖 AskHogs.com — Kenny’s AI clone, available 24/7 for all your helicopter training questions.🎓 Free 24-Hour Test Flight — explore any membership risk-free with a 30-day money-back guarantee.TakeawayPulling 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.

Final Approach Course AdvantageThis is exactly why we built the Final Approach Course. For 30 months now, we’ve welcomed pilots from across the country who just couldn’t get finished at home. Maybe their instructor left, their aircraft was down, or they were stuck behind a full schedule.At H.O.G.S., we keep it simple:🚁 One or two students at a time, max.✅ One-on-one instruction, both flight and ground.📝 Full ACS prep — including the paperwork details that trip people up.👨‍✈️ An examiner we’ve trusted for over 25 years.And yes — October openings are available now. If you’re ready to stop waiting, call or text Heather at (574) 767-1797 or visit FinalApproachCourse.com .Free Resources📘 Download the Maneuver Guide  — simple, clear, based on the Helicopter Flying Handbook.🤖 AskHogs.com — Kenny’s AI clone, answering your questions 24/7.🎓 Free 24-Hour Test Flight — try any course risk-free with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

What would you do at 70 knots in an R44 when the tail rotor suddenly fails?That’s not a trick question—it’s one of the most critical emergency procedures you’ll ever face. And believe it or not, in the last 30 months of Final Approach Courses (FAC), we’ve had at least three applicants confidently give me the wrong answer over Zoom before they ever made it to Indiana.Instead of following the Pilot’s Operating Handbook (POH), they started explaining some creative “instructor-taught” maneuver—using the throttle to manipulate the nose and “limp back home.” Sounds clever? Wrong. That answer = instant check-ride failure.The Final Approach Course AdvantageThis is exactly why pilots from all over the country keep coming to H.O.G.S. for finish-ups. We don’t just prep your flying—we prep everything. From POH procedures to ACS requirements to making sure your paperwork is squared away.No more waiting weeks for a flight slot. No more hoping your instructor sticks around. No more check-rides derailed by missing logbooks or expired references.🚁 With the Final Approach Course, you get:One-on-one flight training & ground support until you’re ready.An examiner who’s been with us for 25 years and knows what to expect.A clean, efficient path from prep to pass.Free Resources📘 Download the Maneuver Guide — a free PDF based on the Helicopter Flying Handbook.🤖 AskHogs.com — Kenny’s AI clone, available 24/7 to answer your helicopter training questions.🎓 Take a Free 24-Hour Test Flight — explore any of our memberships risk-free.✅ Plus, every membership comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.TakeawayIf your instructor is teaching you to “work the throttle” on a tail rotor failure, they’re teaching you the wrong lesson. The POH is clear. Examiners are clear. And your safety depends on making the right call.So, keep your training sharp, your materials up to date, and your logbooks clean. That’s how you pass the ride—and how you walk away from emergencies.

When Rich came to H.O.G.S. for his CFI add-on, he immediately stood out. A retired airline captain with over 26,000 hours, he carried himself with calm confidence. During his very first Zoom session, he offered to teach the S-bar maneuver off the cuff — and delivered a polished 45-minute lesson like it was second nature.That kind of preparation and professionalism left an impression. Rich showed what it looks like when a pilot arrives fully ready, not just in the helicopter but in every detail.Unfortunately, many applicants don’t show up that way. And one of the biggest problem areas? Logbooks.A Viewer Question Worth SharingRecently, a pilot asked:“I’ve been duplicating my paper logbook electronically as a backup. Do examiners accept electronic copies or printouts? They won’t have the instructor’s signature — could that be an issue?”The answer is simple: yes, it’s an issue.If your logbook doesn’t clearly show instructor signatures for dual flights and endorsements, it will not be accepted for a check-ride.The Messy MiddleHere’s where trouble usually begins:Training starts in a paper logbook.Somewhere along the way, ForeFlight enters the picture.Hours and endorsements get split between the two.Now the examiner is left flipping back and forth, piecing together training records. It looks sloppy, it feels unprofessional, and it can derail a check-ride before the flight even begins.The Clean SolutionPick one system and stick with it.Paper logbook? Great — keep it neat, complete, and signed.ForeFlight logbook? Excellent — log everything there from the start, including CFI endorsements.Mixing both? ❌ That’s where things fall apart.If switching is the goal, finish your current rating in the system you started with. Then move forward clean in the new one.The Takeaway from RichRich’s success was more than his flying ability. It was the way he presented himself as a complete professional — consistent, prepared, and organized. If you want your examiner to see the same in you, start with your logbooks.How H.O.G.S. Can HelpAt H.O.G.S., the Final Approach Course makes sure you’re not only trained in the helicopter, but also examiner-ready on paper:🚁 24-hour free test flight at HelicopterGround.com✅ 30-day money-back guarantee💬 AskHogs.com — Kenny’s AI clone answers logbook and training questions 24/7Messy logbooks are one of the fastest ways to make a bad impression. Don’t let yours be the reason your check-ride falls apart.

Check-Ride Essentials: Don’t Walk In Without TheseWhen it comes to check-rides, even the strongest applicants can stumble if they’re missing the required items. No matter how sharp your flying skills or how deep your knowledge, the check-ride won’t start without the proper documents.In today’s episode of 30 Check-Rides, 30 Lessons: Final Approach Course Real-World Wins & Fails, we share Robert Gardner’s story — and how one missing item nearly derailed his CFI check-ride before it even began.Robert’s StoryRobert came to H.O.G.S. from New Mexico for his initial CFI check-ride. From the start, it was clear he had prepared thoroughly. He had done the studying, mastered the material, and flew the helicopter well.When our schedule opened, I told him, “Get in your car and start driving.” He did just that — packed his car, drove to Indiana, and trained with us until he was ready.But on check-ride day, something happened that could have stopped everything.The Logbook ScareWe flew the helicopter to the examiner’s office. Robert drove separately, planning to leave straight from Fort Wayne back to New Mexico once the check-ride was done.When we arrived, the examiner said the words no applicant wants to hear: “Your applicant can’t find his logbook.”Robert searched his car. He called the hotel he had just checked out of. Nothing. At that moment, it felt like the ride was over before it had even begun.Finally, while flipping through his study materials inside, Robert opened a book — and there was the logbook, tucked between the pages. The check-ride went forward, and Robert passed. But the scare taught us a timeless lesson.The Lesson Every Pilot Must LearnFrom day one, examiners make it clear: no logbook, no check-ride.Years ago, this same examiner gave me advice I still repeat today: 👉 “Always go through the checklist in the ACS (formerly the PTS) and verify every single required item is present.”We see it all the time. Pilots show up from around the country with only 50–70% of what’s required. Luckily, at H.O.G.S. we stock extra supplies to cover most gaps — but your logbook? That’s on you.Preparation is More Than FlyingRobert was as prepared as any applicant. He knew the material, he flew well, and he passed. But the lesson is clear: check-ride prep is more than studying maneuvers. It’s making sure every single required item is in your bag before you walk in the door.How H.O.G.S. Helps You PrepareAt H.O.G.S. (Helicopter Online Ground School), our system is designed to ensure you’re ready — not just with knowledge, but with the details that matter on check-ride day.That’s why our Final Approach Course walks you through every requirement in the ACS, checks every box, and eliminates surprises.And beyond that:Take a 24-hour free test flight to explore the system risk-free.Every membership comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.Get 24/7 support at AskHogs.com — even from Kenny’s AI clone inside the courses.