About a year ago, I was flying a Champ in the pattern at
Reid Hillview (tower was open), and base to final I saw
a huge metal rod to my left. Skid of an autorotating
helicopter. Well, I was a bit unnerved.

A few months later, I heard of a collision, again at Reid
Hillview, between a helicopter and a plane. Apparently
they "just barely touched" and there was no damage or
injury.

From what I've seen, over 50% of midairs result in a
fatality, a disproportionate number happen at "D" airports,
and helicopters in training have three times as
high an accident rate per hour than in non-training
(by contrast, airplane training is safer than airplane flying).

The only two pilots I personally knew who died were in
helicopter training accidents.

Helicopters certainly have their place, and provide some
much-needed capabilities, but anything that looks like
a flying Cuisanart gets a wide berth from me.

I hope Barry will be OK. Best thoughts to him.
Congratulations to the quick thinking teen in the glider.
It takes some real moxy for a young person to get
through something like that...

I'm glad the helicopter pilot(s) weren't seriously injured.
I'm guessing everyone involved is doing some soul searching
right now...