helicopter abruptly tilts straight down. With the helicopter suspended motionless in midair, Aaron pushes down on the collective in his left hand, causing the helicopter to back up for several seconds. Gravity then takes hold and the helicopter accelerates quickly earthward, and Aaron makes a 180-degree heading change in the dive just for good measure. With no airframe references relative to the horizon, Aaron said it takes a great deal of practice to make his climbs precisely and consistently vertical. And the Red Bull helicopter is the only one he’s flown that is capable of such maneuvers. TOP: BRIAN NEVINS/RED BULL ; ADAM KOCH/RED BULL “What’s the point of a parachute? Even if you got out, you’d go through the rotor system. I decided a long time ago that, whatever happens, I’m staying with the helicopter all the way.” AOPA PILOT • 71 • AUGUST 2011