Freeskiing
Meet the woman behind the craziest AK heli drop you've ever seen
How does it feel to bring a helicopter to a total standstill so a skier can jump onto a narrow spine in Alaska? An exclusive interview with the pilot behind that incredible scene in Same Difference.
2 min
Fabian Lentsch: Heli drop-off
Watch behind-the-scenes footage of Fabian Lentsch's tense heli drop onto an Alaskan ridge line.
When you watch the award-winning ski movie Same Difference on Red Bull TV you'll see, around the 52-minute mark, Fabian Lentsch in a neat AK drop-off that looks like business as usual, except that he seems perhaps a little more excited than usual once he's safely on the ridge.
Check the behind-the-scenes edit in the player above though and you'll hear the pilot say, "Not sure if we have enough rotor clearance. Yeah, we're not going to have enough room, sorry..."
Not sure if we have enough rotor clearance. Yeah, we're not going to have enough room, sorry...
Translation: If the pilot flies the helicopter into a position where she can safely drop the skier off, the rotors will hit the mountain and they'll go down in flames.
But then she hesitates, "Actually, give me a sec..." and tilts the whole helicopter, bringing it to a perfect standstill to let Lentsch get out. Meet Mary Wilcock, helicopter pilot at Coastal Helicopters, Alaska.
Mary Wilcock prepare for lift-off
© Legs of Steel
Was that helicopter drop featured in Same Difference pretty hardcore?
I wouldn't say it was hardcore – it's always a challenge to do any of those drop-offs where you're operating in such close proximity to terrain, with someone getting out and changing the balance of the helicopter. It requires a lot of concentration, but I also love a challenge.
Can you explain the challenges and variables during mountain drop-offs on a peak, a ridge or a spine?
Many things can change, or cause a drop-off to go less than smoothly. Everybody, including guide and athlete, has to be on the same page regarding the safety of the area and the plan. The winds can be very gusty in the mountains, which limits a lot of the tighter drop-off areas. You have to compensate for the athlete getting out and any movements of the helicopter as a result. Often because everything is covered in snow, you have to work to make sure you have a good reference, so you don't get a white-out sensation.
How do you learn to pull off those drops? Any specific training, or just accumulation of experience?
I work for Coastal Helicopters and we do a bit of training directly related to the challenges of heli-skiing. We practice the drop offs where you don't have enough room to get both skids on the ground. We practice scenarios and discuss what has worked for other pilots and what hasn't, what they wouldn't do again and what they learned. I have also worked in the mountains of south-east Alaska for six years and I'm always accumulating experiences.
What were the hardest flying moments or biggest moments in your career? Any stories to tell?
In my first heli-ski season, we were doing work on a project, filming for a 3D theme park ride. The ride had to feel as realistic and in-the-moment as possible. It took two helis, two guides, three skiers and a whole host of cinematographers, producers and managers to create. We created some of the most dramatic Alaskan footage that I'd ever been a part of and the challenge of the technical flying and the coordination of such a big project was a great experience.
What’s scarier to you: your drop-offs, or the lines these skiers ski?
The lines the skiers have to ski, by far! Often, when a skier or boarder asks if a drop point is good, I'll tell them, "It's up to you, I'm not the one who has to get out."
Do you ski or snowboard yourself?
Yes, I started as a skier when I was three and switched to boarding when I was 11.
Bene Mayr, Fabian Lentsch and Sven Kueenle
© Pally Learmond
What other responsibilities do you have as a heli pilot during a shooting? Reconnaissance tips? Rescue? Others?
All of the above. The guide and I talk about safe areas, evaluating cornices and other avalanche potentials. We determine exit routes and landing zones. I work with the skiers so I know their lines and with the photographers to make sure they can get the shot they want. At the same time, I try to keep track of where all our other groups are to be able to respond to any potential rescue situations.
How long have you been flying?
I started flying 10 years ago and started working in south-east Alaska six years ago.
What inspired you to become a helicopter pilot?
One of the first jobs I had out of high school was working for a heli-tourism company in my home town. I took every opportunity to go on ride-alongs and fell in love with the idea of flying.
What does a normal training programme and career path look like?
You generally start with a year of ground and flight training, and then spend maybe two years as an instructor to build up hours and experience. More often than not, the next job is flying tours or agriculture work. From there, it's about figuring out the type of flying you enjoy and finding a place you want to do it.
Sven Kueenle riding majestic spines
© Pally Learmond
What's it like being a female pilot?
It's like being a pilot. I love what I do, I love being in the field and I'm fortunate to work with the people that I do. It's amazing that, even in this day and age, I'm often the first female pilot in some of the areas that I work and I can't wait to see more women out here doing it.
Is being a woman an advantage or a disadvantage?
Well it's a lot harder to find a private place to go pee as a woman. Other than that, no particular advantage or disadvantage.
Do you have any role models? Anyone who inspired you – flying or in life in general?
When I first started working as ground staff at a heli company, there were several female pilots who were amazingly generous with advice and who really showed me that it was possible. I've also been watching ski movies since I was very young and been inspired by both the athletes and the pilots.
Anyone you want to thank?
I'd love to say thanks to Tim Tom, my heliski guide for the last three seasons, for having my back and knowing more than I do. Thank you to everyone at Alaska Heliskiing and to the Legs of Steel crew for having fun in the mountains with me. And mostly, thanks to my family for being behind me every step of the way and giving me the courage to do this in the first place.
Feel like watching Mary's heli drop-off in the Same Difference ski movie? Here's the full film:
