Ah, happy memories of the pre-Harrier Whirlwind training at Ternhill in ’71. To get us fast-jet types used to ‘hoovering’ they gave us 6 hours of dual helicoptering, ending up with engine-off landings, and operating into and out of small woodland clearings.
After no more than half an hour of briefing on how it worked we were each issued with a rather jaundiced-looking QHI. Having carried out the boring bits, he cranked up, took off, and moved a discreet distance from the parking lot, handing over control immediately in the hover.
Great Sport! Because we didn’t have to bother with all the technical aspects, checklists, emergencies, etc., we could just concentrate on the handling.