flynpig Posted August 16, 2008 Report Share Posted August 16, 2008 Just wanted to take the time to introduce myself to all and share with you my future intentions as I will be asking for lots of advice. I am currently employed as a police officer in NC for 16 years and have ad my PPL Airplane SEL since 10/2003. Just recently I have gotten the bug to fly for my department and since we only fly rotary, I am now beginning my Helicopter "ad-on" this coming week. I have flown on a "fly-It" simulator on multiple occasions and actually did a lot better than I thought I would. So if anyone has any tips or advice before or during my training, I would love to hear them. Thanks again to you all. Regards, The FLY-N-PIG Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C.R.O. Posted August 17, 2008 Report Share Posted August 17, 2008 Just wanted to take the time to introduce myself to all and share with you my future intentions as I will be asking for lots of advice. I am currently employed as a police officer in NC for 16 years and have ad my PPL Airplane SEL since 10/2003. Just recently I have gotten the bug to fly for my department and since we only fly rotary, I am now beginning my Helicopter "ad-on" this coming week. I have flown on a "fly-It" simulator on multiple occasions and actually did a lot better than I thought I would. So if anyone has any tips or advice before or during my training, I would love to hear them. Thanks again to you all. Regards, The FLY-N-PIG Let me be the first to say Welcome! Good luck with your training! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darren Hughes Posted August 17, 2008 Report Share Posted August 17, 2008 Fixed wing huh. Okay first tip, don't push forward on the cyclic to descend in a hurry, that's bad in a helicopter, especially a Robinson!!! But seriously, try to keep your training as condensed as possible. It'll save you money in the long run cause you'll learn quicker. You'll probably have to unlearn some fixed wing stuff along the way, but generally the FW PPL should be an asset to you. What ratings/experience you need to get in? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flynpig Posted August 17, 2008 Author Report Share Posted August 17, 2008 Fixed wing huh. Okay first tip, don't push forward on the cyclic to descend in a hurry, that's bad in a helicopter, especially a Robinson!!! But seriously, try to keep your training as condensed as possible. It'll save you money in the long run cause you'll learn quicker. You'll probably have to unlearn some fixed wing stuff along the way, but generally the FW PPL should be an asset to you. What ratings/experience you need to get in? Our department only requires you to have you PPL Helicopter which would be a "add-on" for me. Money is not an issue so I be training as much as I can week to week. For insurance purposes out department prefers us to get our CF ASAP once we get assigned to the unit. After that they encourage us to get our CFI and that's where the Fly-It simulator comes in handy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
puddy310 Posted August 17, 2008 Report Share Posted August 17, 2008 Just wanted to take the time to introduce myself to all and share with you my future intentions as I will be asking for lots of advice. I am currently employed as a police officer in NC for 16 years and have ad my PPL Airplane SEL since 10/2003. Just recently I have gotten the bug to fly for my department and since we only fly rotary, I am now beginning my Helicopter "ad-on" this coming week. I have flown on a "fly-It" simulator on multiple occasions and actually did a lot better than I thought I would. So if anyone has any tips or advice before or during my training, I would love to hear them. Thanks again to you all. Regards, The FLY-N-PIG That is awesome that you are getting such a good deal to learn to fly. Hopefully your department is paying for it. I used to be a cop(or pig), but could not get my department to fund my training for me. So I had to quit law enforcement and enter flight school. But I think you will love flying for law enforcement. Seems like the most exciting from what I have heard. Try and forget the way you land a airplane. I have many fixed wing students and a really slow approach scares them, obviously because of that silly stall horn(well not silly...it does have a good purpose)..A helicopter can go as slow as you want on an approach, just avoid settling with power, which you will learn about. Other than that, have a great time. You are getting a great opportunity. Best of luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goldy Posted August 18, 2008 Report Share Posted August 18, 2008 Hey Pig- Couple things I might suggest. Early in your training, I think 1 hour in the FLyIt is worth 3 hours of flight time. You can learn so much initially using that simulator to figure out how to fly the thing....without the stress of being in the air trying to listen to your CFI ! Second, check out ALEA if you dont already know about it. And lastly, there are several very experienced flying pigs on this site if you have specific airborne/LE questions. Good luck, Goldy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flynpig Posted August 18, 2008 Author Report Share Posted August 18, 2008 That is awesome that you are getting such a good deal to learn to fly. Hopefully your department is paying for it. I used to be a cop(or pig), but could not get my department to fund my training for me. So I had to quit law enforcement and enter flight school. But I think you will love flying for law enforcement. Seems like the most exciting from what I have heard. Try and forget the way you land a airplane. I have many fixed wing students and a really slow approach scares them, obviously because of that silly stall horn(well not silly...it does have a good purpose)..A helicopter can go as slow as you want on an approach, just avoid settling with power, which you will learn about. Other than that, have a great time. You are getting a great opportunity. Best of luck! Actually I am paying for it all. This is good in a way since none of the other officers who are pilots that work with me have their Helicopter rating . They only have their airplane ratings. If my employer paid for the training, then I would be fighting about 20 more guys with more hours than me. Well, now it's whoever has their helicopter rating goes to the front of the line. I am not in the unit yet but they requested 3 more positions since several people are getting ready to retire, resigned and not to mention 2 of them are contract pilots who were hire backs from the PD. Now, don't laugh. I have Microsoft Flight Simulator 2004 and just now went out and got me a high dollar Saitek X52 Joystick with separate throttle control. I mounted the throttle control to the side of my chair just like the collective and have the joystick mounted to my chair between my legs and my anti torque pedals under my desk. And I am loving it. From the Fly-It simulator to what I have is not much difference other than the large screen and actual helicopter controls and environment. Also, I love slow flight. I have got hovering down pretty good now. Not great but good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flynpig Posted August 18, 2008 Author Report Share Posted August 18, 2008 Hey Pig- Couple things I might suggest. Early in your training, I think 1 hour in the FLyIt is worth 3 hours of flight time. You can learn so much initially using that simulator to figure out how to fly the thing....without the stress of being in the air trying to listen to your CFI ! Second, check out ALEA if you dont already know about it. And lastly, there are several very experienced flying pigs on this site if you have specific airborne/LE questions. Good luck, Goldy I did sign up for the ALEA. Thanks for mentioning that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wannabe1 Posted August 18, 2008 Report Share Posted August 18, 2008 (edited) Flynpig... Are you legally able to fly for your department with only a PPL helicopter add on? I would have thought (FAR 61.113) not. Unless (e,1) covers it? Our department only requires you to have you PPL Helicopter which would be a "add-on" for me. Money is not an issue so I be training as much as I can week to week. For insurance purposes out department prefers us to get our CF ASAP once we get assigned to the unit. After that they encourage us to get our CFI and that's where the Fly-It simulator comes in handy. Edited August 18, 2008 by Wannabe1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slick1537 Posted August 18, 2008 Report Share Posted August 18, 2008 I remember another member was talking about that subject a while back. They said since the helicopters are registered as "public use" aircraft, that the pilot legally does not even need a pilot certificate to operate it. Don't know if that is accurate or not though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HeloJunkie Posted August 18, 2008 Report Share Posted August 18, 2008 Just wanted to take the time to introduce myself to all and share with you my future intentions as I will be asking for lots of advice. I am currently employed as a police officer in NC for 16 years and have ad my PPL Airplane SEL since 10/2003. Just recently I have gotten the bug to fly for my department and since we only fly rotary, I am now beginning my Helicopter "ad-on" this coming week. I have flown on a "fly-It" simulator on multiple occasions and actually did a lot better than I thought I would. So if anyone has any tips or advice before or during my training, I would love to hear them. Thanks again to you all. Regards, The FLY-N-PIG Hey FlynPig - Welcome! Sounds like you have a fantastic gig...flying and little red and blue lights to boot! Spent 5 years myself as a US Marine MP, too much fun.. :-) Good luck with all of your training and be safe out there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goldy Posted August 19, 2008 Report Share Posted August 19, 2008 I remember another member was talking about that subject a while back. They said since the helicopters are registered as "public use" aircraft, that the pilot legally does not even need a pilot certificate to operate it. Don't know if that is accurate or not though. This is accurate. In fact, the aircraft does not need to be FAA approved either, hence you dont need an FAA certificate to fly one. FlyNPig- you are not the first to rig up a Flight Sim using that software. In fact its the same software that FlyIt uses....just think light pressures and small movements....hardest part for airplane pilots used to yanking on the controls. Hovering was always a lil weird when I took my F/W friends up, they freak out when you drop under 50 knots ! Goldy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goldy Posted August 19, 2008 Report Share Posted August 19, 2008 Spent 5 years myself as a US Marine MP, too much fun.. :-) HeloJunkie- Hey this has nothing to do with the thread (think 207PC) did you know that the USMC just launched a CIVILAN police program to patrol the base? Pretty interesting, non military personnel. They have their own academy on base, I think they are on their 3rd or 4th graduation...anyway, I found it an interesting program...had a friend graduate last month. Goldy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flynpig Posted August 19, 2008 Author Report Share Posted August 19, 2008 Flynpig... Are you legally able to fly for your department with only a PPL helicopter add on? I would have thought (FAR 61.113) not. Unless (e,1) covers it? Let me clear myself. That's just to get in the aviation unit and start out as a TFO. In the past you only to had to be PPL SEL for the TFO position, but now they want you to have your ROTORCRAFT-HELICOPTER rating. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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