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Old 14th September 2012 | 07:14
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John R81
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Joined: Jun 2008
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From: England & Scotland
Personally, for me it is a matter of pride.

Unless intending to reduce or increase altitude, I always aim to hold altitude as precisely as possible in a turn, no matter how steep. I fly unstabilised helicopters of both US and European design and so the tendency to climb/left dive/right with turns reverses when I change cockpits.

Why do I think it is important - simply to be as much in control of my machine as I possibly can be; to be the most able pilot that I can be. As you practice more and more it becomes second nature and eventually you don't have to think about not losing / gaining height. That way when it actually matters you have the skill.

For fixed wing, one of my friends aims to make a steep turn and run through his own wake - like hitting a speed bump. He can do this time after time now, but does confess that it was long practice that led to this.
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