Q1. Tell us a little bit about yourself and how you became a helicopter pilot?

My name is Eladio Roca-Boulton, I was born in Caracas, Venezuela. I started studying at Metropolitan University Sytems Engeneering, but I discovered my passion for helicopters at an early age when I first saw the Bell 206 Jet Ranger landing in Caracas, at La Carlota airport, which was my playground, back when I was a kid.

While going to college, I could see that there was a helicopter operation (stringing high voltage cable), so I decided to find out where their operation base was. To my surprise, I arrived at this remote part of the city and found Helijet heliport. A pair of Bell 206 Jet Rangers were standing at the ramp, and I told myself, “This is where I belong.” I was only 17 years old. They showed me around, and three weeks, later my helicopter commercial pilot course began.

My passion for helicopters, the perspective that it has given me, the adventures all over the world and the possibility of seeing things from everywhere is the same now as then, with more experience and capacity to see the big picture. It is a journey I started at 17 and it still going on.

In 2014, I moved to Miami, with my wife and two daughters. In my free time, I enjoy all air-related sports such as paragliding, kite surfing, air/drone photography as well as outdoor sports.

Q2. What is your history with Bell products?

After passing my commercial checkride, I was hired by a company which required I spend my six months in flight line and maintenance shop - as a technician assistant - working to overhaul components, troubleshooting and fixing helicopter faults at flight ramp.

This training provided me a great perspective and incredible knowledge that gave me the confidence in its functionality to see the simplicity, quality and robustness of each of the helicopters components and systems. Bell models such as Bell 47, 206 and 205 were pieces in my hands that I helped to put back together.

I started my flying duties in 1978, with Bell 206 series, in an company that had a fleet of 40 Bell helicopters, with an average of 1,000 hours per year per helicopter. This exposed me to a wide variety of air operations fields ranging from sling load, offshore operations, firefighting, seismic logistics , mining support, oil pipelines inspections, fish spotting amongst other.

Thereafter, I moved from utility to corporate flying world. Mainly operating with Bell 206L3 and Bell 407, not only as a pilot but as an operations manager, in other areas such as ENG, air ambulance and VVIP expedition trips. To add to all this experience, I operated as an IFR captain with a 412 in an off-shore drilling contract, as well. I have had also the pleasure to experience flying a Bell 212, Bell 222/230, Bell 427, Bell 214ST and recently the Bell 429.

Q3. Do you have a favorite that you like to fly? Why?

My favorite undoubtedly is the Bell 407. It has the best of all worlds: performance, predictability, reliability, maneuverability, load capacity, autonomy, speed, comfort, easy to maintain, best looking helicopter on ramp and its particular sound.

It fits like a glove, I like its ergonomics and the passengers love it too. It's a magic carpet that has taken me to some of the most remote places on the planet in a reliable and safe way. But after flying the Bell 429 it has put me in a very compromised position.

There are many stories and satisfactions built with Bell that I will always remember, including the 206s, the workhorse Bell 412, or the reminiscences of the past in a Bell 47 which are epic. But my heart will always be on the side of the Bell 407.

Q4. At Bell, one of our main objectives is to thrill our customers, both pilots and passengers. What is one thrilling aspect of flying Bells that people might not know?

Prediction of performance, when it is required to maximize the use of capabilities in different types of scenarios, knowing that there is a tool that allows delivering what is promised.

To be able to depend on your helicopter in normal operation, to know that the capabilities are there at the time of an emergency and the trust you have in the aircraft based on what I mentioned before (functionality and robustness), is priceless.

Behind the success of each air operation is maintenance and technical support as a fundamental platform, knowing that there will always be a solution to a problem efficiently and quickly. Undoubtedly, the pilots and mechanics training are essential and it is the secret weapon of Bell. The creation of this tribe where knowledge, culture and codes are the promotion of efficient and safe operations. All its members want to return to their homes safely, to share there stories.

Q5. What is one Bell aircraft you haven’t flown that you would like to fly?

The one Bell aircraft that I have long-time dreamed of flying is the Tiltrotor, since the development of the 609 and the Osprey. I still hope to see myself aboard a tiltrotor – I would also like to experience the 525 and its fly-by-wire system.

In the near future, I am looking forward to be part of Bell Air Taxi project, promoting the use of vertical flight for the masses in main cities like Miami, where I currently live. Uplift the concept of the Miami Heliport and the future network of Vertiports trying to compete in this race for technology innovation applied to Smart Cities.

Q6. What has your experience been like training at the Bell Training Academy? What do you enjoy the most about coming back for training?

Training at Bell for the first time was like when Maverick first went to his first training in Top Gun. I mean it. It was the feeling of entering a world where you would be trained to be "the best of the best". This is the sensation you get from the instant you enter the Academy. From the classroom environment, to the flight line, to the moment you establish yourself in the Bell practice area. It is like being part of a big family, taking care of all its members and trying to make their performances exceptional. The organization and implementation of all phases of the training are outstanding.

The final result is a helicopter pilot who knows his aircraft from A to Z, confident of the knowledge given, performance profiles, limitations, good use of its capabilities in normal operations and in cases of emergency. A trained pilot is undoubtedly the best guarantee of a safe and efficient operation.

Q7. Finally, what is something you would tell a helicopter pilot in training about jumping in their first Bell aircraft?

I like this quote "Expect the best, prepare for the worst and capitalize what comes."

To expect the best, is to have the best equipment, the best resources, the best information, the best strategies and the best people.

Preparing for the worst requires the best plan, the best knowledge, the best skills and the best preparation for any emergency.

Bell has a good contribution on both sides of the equation and we benefit from the final result of capitalizing on whatever comes: the satisfaction of the mission accomplished, the construction of a solid operational base and the accumulation of many successes.

It is perfectly summarized in this other motto "Fly Smart, Fly Bell."