What is the purpose of the spotter standing next to the pilots

[CAMOMAN]

I am new to this stuff and do have some questions....this may be a little off topic on here but I didn't know where esle to put it......What is the purpose of the spotter....or the guy that is usually standing besides the pilot when he is flying....???? Thanks......

[JKos]

The spotter is there to look out for all the things the pilot can't while he is concentrating on his heli. The spotter advices the pilot on the locations of other aircraft and possible conflicts, people encroaching on the flying area, safety related issues like that. The pilot keeps his eyes on his aircraft while the spotter scans.

I've witnessed more than once a spotter keep a pilot from getting hit by an errant aircraft that the pilot probably wouldn't have known was coming until too late.

In competitions, the other person is usually a caller who communicates with the judges and coaches the pilot.

- John

[ErichF]

This is what the spotter is supposed to do, but is often not the case. More times than they should, the spotter is just as fixated on the pilot's heli as the pilot.

Also, at least in AMA/FAI competition, the caller/spotter coaching the pilot is strictly forbidden, except in cases of safety of flight.

The spotter is there to look out for all the things the pilot can't while he is concentrating on his heli. The spotter advices the pilot on the locations of other aircraft and possible conflicts, people encroaching on the flying area, safety related issues like that. The pilot keeps his eyes on his aircraft while the spotter scans.

I've witnessed more than once a spotter keep a pilot from getting hit by an errant aircraft that the pilot probably wouldn't have known was coming until too late.

In competitions, the other person is usually a caller who communicates with the judges and coaches the pilot.

- John