Helicopter-pilot.info - Lesons 31-35

Lesson 31 16/7/02 Instrument training
I was hoping for another solo today but visibility wasn't good so it was decided that as I hadn't done any instrument training yet, now was a good time to start. After a briefing of what was expected of me, what I should expect and what I should be looking for on all the gauges and why, we headed out to the helicopter. Before take off the helicopter had to be prepared. Blackout screens were installed which covers the bottom half of the screen and I am given frosted wrap-a-round glasses, which blank out nearly everything else. My instructor does the take off (as I can't see, obviously) and takes us out of the circuit and then I have control. First of all we start off with an easy one, keep a steady height and heading. Well actually, not so easy. I can keep the heading or the height or the speed but not all at the same time. I was attempting the straight and level flight for quite some time, although it was improving, it was taking a long time and a great amount of concentration. About half way through the flight I was given a rest and shown how to execute banked turns to 180 and 360 degrees. Once again it looked very easy when my instructor does it, but when it came to my turn....
Towards the end of the lesson I was given headings to take which eventually took us back to the airfield, where my instructor landed. When we were back on ground my instructor informs me that the flight was like a roller coaster ride (nothing new there), strange as it seemed OK to me with the the glasses on.
My Comments: The concentration was very intense

Lesson 32 18/7/02 Instrument training
Once again the weather is not too good today so a little more instrument training is planned. A short briefing (would it be a BRIEFing if it was long?) and back out to put the blackout screens in and the 'fogles' on.
My instructor takes off and takes us out of the circuit, this is because it takes a lot more skill to take off without being able to see the ground properly, and partly because my instructor has run out of Valium. This lesson we try some sharp turns and timed turns. It takes quite a bit of practice before my turns go from crap to bad.
Towards the end of the lesson I am asked to take my hands off the controls (which strangely improves the flight) for a while whilst the instructor puts the helicopter at some strange angle. Rather than this being the instructors idea of fun (although possible), this is to give me an idea of what it is like to try and bring the helicopter back under "my control" after a feeling of spatial disorientation (I don't know what it means either, you just have to nod and agree....works for me). By the end of the lesson these exercises were going well.
My Comments: Once again very tiring but enjoyable.

Lesson 33 18/7/02 Solo out of the Circuit
I was looking for some good weather today for a solo and, obviously, my sacrifice of one 'virginal lamb' worke....SUN!
Before my solo flight I had to have a check flight to make sure I can remember what the 'handbrake thingy' and the 'sticky up thingy' are for. The check ride goes well, with emergency procedures checked and practiced. All take offs are good but landings not quite right yet. I am given the all clear for my solo, which will be after lunch. During lunch I planned my route which will be from Wycombe to Wescott the Wing and with a bit of luck back to Wycome. The flight was fairly uneventful. As this was only my second 'proper' solo I was very careful making sure I was on track. My first turning point was at Wescott, I was about a third of a mile off course, apart from that I was spot on. There was no real time to enjoy the scenery, as I was too busy making sure I didn't get lost. An enjoyable solo and a nice day.

Lesson 34 19/7/02 Solo out of the Circuit
It was only yesterday that I did my last solo to Westcott & Wing so everything is still fresh in my mind. Today's solo will be to Silverstone, which is apparently quite a popular location for early solo flights. Just a quick check ride before being let loose.
ThereÕs not a lot to tell you about this flight. I followed my planned route and all went as expected (hoped for). Flying over Silverstone was a little strange, I circled a couple of times to watch the racing and I think I even got fastest lap once!
The trip back was good with a little time for sight seeing. Overall the last couple of flights have been good which is just as well because I should be due for my solo X-country qualifying flight very soon.

Lesson 35 24/7/02 Dual to turweston
The weather is good in the morning for my first flight. Hopefully it will stay good for the afternoon. My next solo is going to be my qualifying cross country which will be from Wycombe Air Park to Sywell then Turweston and back....in one piece.
As I haven't been to Turweston my instructor decides that we should head over for a practice. The flight to Turweston doesn't take too long. It is a little further than I had been before, but I have been in this direction so recognize many of the features. As I haven't been flying long I don't have a great deal of experience of other airfields, so I suppose I am expecting to see something a little like Wycome. I think I should have realized it was a little smaller when I was told I would be landing in the 'Cabbage patch'! Finding the airfield wasn't a problem and landing was OK, and I found out why they call it the 'Cabbage Patch' We got out, signed the book and paid the landing fees, then after clearing the vegetables off the skids headed back to Wycombe for lunch and a briefing before my qualifying X-country solo.

Lesson 36 - 40