Originally Posted by
Herod
Thanks ShyTorque. I should think the Whirlwind was a handful ab initio. At least we had a few hours on a simpler and more forgiving machine. The Wessex conversion, at Odiham, was about 30 hours
Looking back I still think it surprising that we had to complete a 45 minute sortie of solo engine off landings on the ab ignitio Whirlwind course! We also had to fly an underslung load solo, with a brave staff crewman down in the cabin.
As far as the Wessex 5 was concerned, Shawbury had major serviceability problems during my time on the advanced course. It took five attempts to get my first solo on type done, all delays were caused by u/s aircraft*.
I only actually completed 30 hours of the usual 35 then got sent off to fly the Puma instead.
*I deny all responsibility for the aircraft getting broken
