Fancy giving me a flight......
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Join Date: Jun 2009
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Fancy giving me a flight......
Hi everyone,
Let me start off by saying I don't mean to cause any offence but I feel that some of you may not like what I'm about to say.
Let me start off by telling you a bit about myself. I'm currently a Civilian Gliding Instructor at RAF Kenley where I teach air cadets to glide...it's a weekend thing and a great hobby. Being RAF that it is, we sometimes get to do other things. Last year I went on an Instructor Development Training course, which is designed to allow us to fly other aircraft and go outside our comfort zones.
Part of the course involved having a 20 minute jolly in an RAF Squirrel. Now 5 minutes of that was engine start up and a running crew change. In the 15 minutes of actual flying I was taught to hover, take-off and land and allowed to practice it all twice.
Now I happened to mention this on YouTube and it prevoked a big reaction from people saying it wasn't possible to learn all of that in 15 minutes. My attitude was it was fairly easy to fly a helicopter. Now I'm not saying that I'm a sky god, as 7 other people did the same thing on the same day and a further 8 people done it again 2 weeks later. However, I still think that it was easy. Obviously I wasn't perfect...I was a tiny bit twitchy as I wasn't used to the sensitivity but nonetheless, it was safe, to a good standard and a right laugh.
Now, a few people have challenged me to prove my allegations so that's what this post is about.
Is there anybody on here who would be willing to offer me a free flight in a helicopter from Blackbushe, Hampshire, with conventional controls (i.e. not a Robinson) to prove that it's common to learn what I claim. This request is mainly aimed at people who have to do a flight to keep up their hours, with me riding shot gun.
If anyone would be prepared to do this then please E-mail at [email protected]
I wouldn't mind another place to go from, provided its not to far from Blackbushe.
Anyway, kind regards to all you professionals, Adam
Let me start off by saying I don't mean to cause any offence but I feel that some of you may not like what I'm about to say.
Let me start off by telling you a bit about myself. I'm currently a Civilian Gliding Instructor at RAF Kenley where I teach air cadets to glide...it's a weekend thing and a great hobby. Being RAF that it is, we sometimes get to do other things. Last year I went on an Instructor Development Training course, which is designed to allow us to fly other aircraft and go outside our comfort zones.
Part of the course involved having a 20 minute jolly in an RAF Squirrel. Now 5 minutes of that was engine start up and a running crew change. In the 15 minutes of actual flying I was taught to hover, take-off and land and allowed to practice it all twice.
Now I happened to mention this on YouTube and it prevoked a big reaction from people saying it wasn't possible to learn all of that in 15 minutes. My attitude was it was fairly easy to fly a helicopter. Now I'm not saying that I'm a sky god, as 7 other people did the same thing on the same day and a further 8 people done it again 2 weeks later. However, I still think that it was easy. Obviously I wasn't perfect...I was a tiny bit twitchy as I wasn't used to the sensitivity but nonetheless, it was safe, to a good standard and a right laugh.
Now, a few people have challenged me to prove my allegations so that's what this post is about.
Is there anybody on here who would be willing to offer me a free flight in a helicopter from Blackbushe, Hampshire, with conventional controls (i.e. not a Robinson) to prove that it's common to learn what I claim. This request is mainly aimed at people who have to do a flight to keep up their hours, with me riding shot gun.
If anyone would be prepared to do this then please E-mail at [email protected]
I wouldn't mind another place to go from, provided its not to far from Blackbushe.
Anyway, kind regards to all you professionals, Adam
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Get straight down to your Royal Air Force Careers Office sonny Jim. You are a natural for SARF. Should only take a week or so and you will be telling the rest of us how to do it.
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I say old chap what a curious post
having spent forty f***ing grand myself on flight training some 10 years ago and working now with people who have spent 100 f***ing grand more recently of their own (borrowed) money
I am inclined to say " why dont you just pay for a trial lesson, like the rest of us old bean" what do you think?
cheerio
CF
having spent forty f***ing grand myself on flight training some 10 years ago and working now with people who have spent 100 f***ing grand more recently of their own (borrowed) money
I am inclined to say " why dont you just pay for a trial lesson, like the rest of us old bean" what do you think?
cheerio
CF
Last edited by Camp Freddie; 18th Jun 2009 at 23:46.
Hovering AND talking
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Adam, you have no idea what inputs the instructor was making to help you. You thought he was just covering the controls 
And what, exactly, is unconventional about the controls of a Robinson; the cyclic operates in exactly the same way as that in a Squirrel.
Now guys, shall we put him in an anti-clockwise rotating ship?
Cheers
Whirls
And what, exactly, is unconventional about the controls of a Robinson; the cyclic operates in exactly the same way as that in a Squirrel.
Now guys, shall we put him in an anti-clockwise rotating ship?
Cheers
Whirls
Must be due to all that time hovering a glider waiting for the winch to start yanking your hind end of the grass that gave you that touch.....wait a minute that was just keeping the wings level.
Avoid imitations
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So, Imagine a kind PPL were to let you have a free go and you stuff it into the deck and write the aircraft off and cause other damage or injury, or both.
How is your insurance?
Point is, a PPL "who has to fly to keep his hours up" won't be insured or legally allowed to let you fly the aircraft as he isn't qualified to instruct. He/she would probably be in need of personal flying practice, let alone be quick enough to take control from you if you made a complete Horlicks of it, especially in the hover.
The military rules are different - even so you were lucky to get the earlier flight. I would agree that you should get your hand in your back pocket and buy yourself a lesson with someone qualified and insured to let you fly.
How is your insurance?
Point is, a PPL "who has to fly to keep his hours up" won't be insured or legally allowed to let you fly the aircraft as he isn't qualified to instruct. He/she would probably be in need of personal flying practice, let alone be quick enough to take control from you if you made a complete Horlicks of it, especially in the hover.
The military rules are different - even so you were lucky to get the earlier flight. I would agree that you should get your hand in your back pocket and buy yourself a lesson with someone qualified and insured to let you fly.
My attitude was it was fairly easy to fly a helicopter
At around 30 hours now, I don't think flying helicopters is exactly hard (1200 hours of fixed wing time probably helps too), but it does take a lot of perseverance to get through the "my god I'll never get the hang of this" phase.
But don't be over-confident because the first 30 minutes seems easier than you expect.
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Many moons ago, when I was at Shawbury on CFS(H) I gave a motorcycle copper 'the 10 min hovering lesson', after flying him out to photograph a vehicle crash site. I can't remember which field it was, but it was SW of Shawbury.
It was literally 10 minutes, cyclic only, lever only, lever and pedals etc but all in very short order. Blow me down. The bloke was hovering, no sh1t, within that time. I have never since seen anything like it and I've never seen anything like it since - more like 10 hours than 10 mins for even an acceptable hover.
So these people do exist and I wouldn't scoff too loudly.
But you can't fly my Robbo mate, sorry, no such thing as a free lunch!
Cheers, WW
It was literally 10 minutes, cyclic only, lever only, lever and pedals etc but all in very short order. Blow me down. The bloke was hovering, no sh1t, within that time. I have never since seen anything like it and I've never seen anything like it since - more like 10 hours than 10 mins for even an acceptable hover.
So these people do exist and I wouldn't scoff too loudly.
But you can't fly my Robbo mate, sorry, no such thing as a free lunch!
Cheers, WW
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I've taught dozens of people to hover... now and again one gets it immediately. However, there's not a one I've ever met who can manage the entire pantheon of helicopter flying intuitively. The quickest study I've ever seen hovering a helicopter was a Harrier pilot... which should not be a surprise, really... the controls are simpler in a helicopter.
One expects yer ego's probably a bit too large to fit in a Robbie (even if you could persuade someone to let you try)... or most helicopters.
I am here reminded of a line from 'Fate Is The Hunter' by Ernest K. Gann when he is a young copilot flying the DC-2 and his first landing in the machine ever is rather good (by all accounts it was an extremely difficult airplane to land well, not that I would know), and he looks to his captain for approval.
His captain said simply:
"A whore is easy to meet."
One expects yer ego's probably a bit too large to fit in a Robbie (even if you could persuade someone to let you try)... or most helicopters.
I am here reminded of a line from 'Fate Is The Hunter' by Ernest K. Gann when he is a young copilot flying the DC-2 and his first landing in the machine ever is rather good (by all accounts it was an extremely difficult airplane to land well, not that I would know), and he looks to his captain for approval.
His captain said simply:
"A whore is easy to meet."
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I had a student on a demo flight about two weeks ago who hovered on all 3 controls in about 5 mins.
"First the cyclic, ok that was good, now try the collective, cool, put your feet on the pedals, nice."
It was that easy. I was impressed but at the same time I was never too far from the controls (obviously)!
No-one likes a big ego though and to say that it is easy is bulls#*t! There is always going to be a maneuver that kicks your ass for a while, like 180 autos or downwind quickstops, etc!
Buy a few lessons and then come back to tell us how you get on!!
"First the cyclic, ok that was good, now try the collective, cool, put your feet on the pedals, nice."
It was that easy. I was impressed but at the same time I was never too far from the controls (obviously)!
No-one likes a big ego though and to say that it is easy is bulls#*t! There is always going to be a maneuver that kicks your ass for a while, like 180 autos or downwind quickstops, etc!
Buy a few lessons and then come back to tell us how you get on!!
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Hand eye co-ordination
As for the original topic, I think you should re-mortgage the house like the rest of us and as for being picky about where you would want your freebie to take place I think you shot yourself in the foot.
anyway
Most amazing quick learner I have come across is a chap who owned a civil engineering company and had been operating Diggers, dozers, cranes etc etc day in, day out literally since the age of 12.
He got into a H300 and had but to be demonstrated the technique and bamm!! he had it!! Whats next he said!!!!!
His brain had been wired to multitask/multi ependage years ago.
I reckon an organ player would be a good bet as a likely fast learner/ hoverer!!
Even though my many hours fixed wing would have helped me, I actually think my years as a motorcyclist actually helped me more with the raw co-ordination side of Helicopter flying.
anyway
Most amazing quick learner I have come across is a chap who owned a civil engineering company and had been operating Diggers, dozers, cranes etc etc day in, day out literally since the age of 12.
He got into a H300 and had but to be demonstrated the technique and bamm!! he had it!! Whats next he said!!!!!
His brain had been wired to multitask/multi ependage years ago.
I reckon an organ player would be a good bet as a likely fast learner/ hoverer!!
Even though my many hours fixed wing would have helped me, I actually think my years as a motorcyclist actually helped me more with the raw co-ordination side of Helicopter flying.
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In the 15 minutes of actual flying I was taught to hover, take-off and land and allowed to practice it all twice.
Now, a few people have challenged me to prove my allegations so that's what this post is about.
I wouldn't mind another place to go from, provided its not to far from Blackbushe.
the controls are simpler in a helicopter.
n5296s
The man!
Adam Mc27,
have you noticed nobody here has suggested a return favour with a flight in a glider. It's because nobody is f***ing interested.
There would be no challenge for many helo pilots on this forum in jumping in a glider for the first time.
But despite that, would you care to continue the whole PPL(H) course until completion and then report back.
You can do it with me for a mere £20,000 for a 45 hour course. You would not need anymore hours than that obviously.
Cheers.
have you noticed nobody here has suggested a return favour with a flight in a glider. It's because nobody is f***ing interested.
There would be no challenge for many helo pilots on this forum in jumping in a glider for the first time.
But despite that, would you care to continue the whole PPL(H) course until completion and then report back.
You can do it with me for a mere £20,000 for a 45 hour course. You would not need anymore hours than that obviously.
Cheers.
Hovering AND talking
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Whilst there are people who can pick up hovering very quickly, don't forget Guys, there's not just one of 'em but 16
Really does make me think that the instructor was making you all feel good
Adam, why do you require your freebie helicopter ride to be so close to Basingstoke when you're prepared to get yerself all the way to RAF Kenley to instruct in gliders?
If you want to fly from Blackbushe, I'm sure you're aware that the school there flies Robinsons so you're asking an instructor to fly a non-Robbie all the way to pick you up, carry out training at the field and fly all the way back? You think that's a reasonable request for someone to possibly spend upwards of £400 in flying plus their own time for free for you to prove (or otherwise) that you can hover?
Cheers
Whirls
Now I'm not saying that I'm a sky god, as 7 other people did the same thing on the same day and a further 8 people done it again 2 weeks later.
Adam, why do you require your freebie helicopter ride to be so close to Basingstoke when you're prepared to get yerself all the way to RAF Kenley to instruct in gliders?
If you want to fly from Blackbushe, I'm sure you're aware that the school there flies Robinsons so you're asking an instructor to fly a non-Robbie all the way to pick you up, carry out training at the field and fly all the way back? You think that's a reasonable request for someone to possibly spend upwards of £400 in flying plus their own time for free for you to prove (or otherwise) that you can hover?
Cheers
Whirls
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Hi everyone,
Let me start off by saying I don't mean to cause any offence but I feel that some of you may not like what I'm about to say.
Let me start off by telling you a bit about myself. I'm currently a Civilian......with a wife and daughter that like to spend incredible amounts of money, mainly between 2 separate shopping centres at either end of Glasgow.
The thing is that my wife reckons that men are hopeless at spending money quickly and that any monkey with half a brain could easily spend the net worth of a small African nation on a Saturday afternoon. She recently carried this out to a safe and good standard but noticed that I was a bit twitchy and sensitive, so she sent me home .She says that she knows at least 7 other people did the same thing on the same day and a further 8 people done it again 2 weeks later. They had a right laugh.
She really wants to try it again sometime soon and I can’t be arsed paying for it again so I would like to ask:
Is there anybody on here who would be willing to offer me some free money so that they can shop ‘til they drop at your cost?
If anyone would be prepared to do this then please E-mail at [email protected]
Anyway, kind regards to all you professionals, Tarman
Let me start off by saying I don't mean to cause any offence but I feel that some of you may not like what I'm about to say.
Let me start off by telling you a bit about myself. I'm currently a Civilian......with a wife and daughter that like to spend incredible amounts of money, mainly between 2 separate shopping centres at either end of Glasgow.
The thing is that my wife reckons that men are hopeless at spending money quickly and that any monkey with half a brain could easily spend the net worth of a small African nation on a Saturday afternoon. She recently carried this out to a safe and good standard but noticed that I was a bit twitchy and sensitive, so she sent me home .She says that she knows at least 7 other people did the same thing on the same day and a further 8 people done it again 2 weeks later. They had a right laugh.
She really wants to try it again sometime soon and I can’t be arsed paying for it again so I would like to ask:
Is there anybody on here who would be willing to offer me some free money so that they can shop ‘til they drop at your cost?
If anyone would be prepared to do this then please E-mail at [email protected]
Anyway, kind regards to all you professionals, Tarman
Red On, Green On
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I'm writing to all three Services to tell them they've got it all wrong - stop that nonsense of aptitude testing, grading (RN and Army), UAS, EFT etc - just tell anyone who wants to fly in uniform that they have to get onto a VGS for a few years as an instructor, and then pitch up at Shawbury - think of the savings. Gordon Brown will be pleased...
