taking baby steps as a new ppl pilot
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: London
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
taking baby steps as a new ppl pilot
I had the pleasure today of doing several new things in Aviation with Freedom in the Air at Cranfield Aerodrome, EGTC - www.freedom-in-the-air.com
I know it has been a while since i last wrote regularly on this forum re aviation related subjects. well there have been good reason for that, little flying and work commitments since getting my PPL mid september 2007.
In the last month i have had the time and the opportunity to fly a little more, well just under 4 hrs. Some exciting news for me and pilots with lower limb disability which is that there is available on the market a set of approved hand controls for the rudder pedal for Cessna 172 variant. The hand controls are portable which is enlightening as i feel it gives people with a disability greater choice for accessing potentially many more flying clubs with the Cessna 172 variant up to model P.
I had a full on day loving being at Cranfield doing general aviation related activity..
1) Installing a portable hand control for use in Cessna 172 and 177
2) Flying a new single engine piston aeroplane in the left seat, Cessna 172 (until now i have only flown a PA28 which i love to bits)
3) Land C172 in cross wind (within limits) using my right hand to control the rudder AND the throttle, with my right hand on the control column as per normal. In the PA28, my right hand can control either the rudder OR the throttle but not at the same time
It was our first time fitting and adjusting the portable hand control into the C172. We had engineers, flying instructors and me...it took just over an hour to get the unit adjusted to fit properly and make sure that full left and right rudder was achievable with differential braking and full braking. Once all this was ascertained, it really only takes 8 minutes for me to fit the controls and perhaps 4 minutes to take them off. Its all fairly straight forward.
The engineers re-fitted the unit before i could go flying today. They were kind enough though to give up their time to show me how to fit them and they taught the flying instructors too. Next week, a CAA person is coming to watch me fit them into the aeroplane so that I can be approved to install them without the need for engineers, well that i suppose is the point of the portable hand control
After the flight i was thrilled to feel free to fly from any flying club up and down the country in a c172 with my own controls. how cool is that..well these controls can also be used by other people who need a hand control and wish for regular flying from a good airfield. Get in touch to organise a time to fly - well check the weather first...
once finished with it, simply pack it up and off we go. the pedals are now left free to be used by an able body pilot....happy landings gang.
more information for those wishing to learn about flying for people with a disability can visit www.freedom-in-the-air.com when you have some free time
I know it has been a while since i last wrote regularly on this forum re aviation related subjects. well there have been good reason for that, little flying and work commitments since getting my PPL mid september 2007.
In the last month i have had the time and the opportunity to fly a little more, well just under 4 hrs. Some exciting news for me and pilots with lower limb disability which is that there is available on the market a set of approved hand controls for the rudder pedal for Cessna 172 variant. The hand controls are portable which is enlightening as i feel it gives people with a disability greater choice for accessing potentially many more flying clubs with the Cessna 172 variant up to model P.
I had a full on day loving being at Cranfield doing general aviation related activity..
1) Installing a portable hand control for use in Cessna 172 and 177
2) Flying a new single engine piston aeroplane in the left seat, Cessna 172 (until now i have only flown a PA28 which i love to bits)
3) Land C172 in cross wind (within limits) using my right hand to control the rudder AND the throttle, with my right hand on the control column as per normal. In the PA28, my right hand can control either the rudder OR the throttle but not at the same time
It was our first time fitting and adjusting the portable hand control into the C172. We had engineers, flying instructors and me...it took just over an hour to get the unit adjusted to fit properly and make sure that full left and right rudder was achievable with differential braking and full braking. Once all this was ascertained, it really only takes 8 minutes for me to fit the controls and perhaps 4 minutes to take them off. Its all fairly straight forward.
The engineers re-fitted the unit before i could go flying today. They were kind enough though to give up their time to show me how to fit them and they taught the flying instructors too. Next week, a CAA person is coming to watch me fit them into the aeroplane so that I can be approved to install them without the need for engineers, well that i suppose is the point of the portable hand control
After the flight i was thrilled to feel free to fly from any flying club up and down the country in a c172 with my own controls. how cool is that..well these controls can also be used by other people who need a hand control and wish for regular flying from a good airfield. Get in touch to organise a time to fly - well check the weather first...
once finished with it, simply pack it up and off we go. the pedals are now left free to be used by an able body pilot....happy landings gang.
more information for those wishing to learn about flying for people with a disability can visit www.freedom-in-the-air.com when you have some free time
Join Date: May 2001
Posts: 10,815
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Cracking news.
While instructing I had the pleasure of having dealings with the doctor who deals with all this stuff.
What a gent. I spent 3 hours waiting for a type rating being issued being shown pic's on his laptop of various fittings to get folk into the air. So if it is him he is a lovely chap and will be itching to go flying with you if the wx is good enough.
While instructing I had the pleasure of having dealings with the doctor who deals with all this stuff.
What a gent. I spent 3 hours waiting for a type rating being issued being shown pic's on his laptop of various fittings to get folk into the air. So if it is him he is a lovely chap and will be itching to go flying with you if the wx is good enough.
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: EGSX
Age: 56
Posts: 177
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Good for you. Glad you're enjoying it. 
I've seen that sort of gizmo before - while I was learning at Stapleford, my instructor showed around a PA28 which happened to have a similar device fitted. Nice to see other clubs doing the same.
I've seen that sort of gizmo before - while I was learning at Stapleford, my instructor showed around a PA28 which happened to have a similar device fitted. Nice to see other clubs doing the same.
