I've actually started my training!!

[i4iq]

Hi All

 

Haven't posted for a while because I've finally started training!

 

It's been a pretty intense 2 weeks - well, for me anyway, as a complete novice. I now have a grand total of 16 hours.

 

Funnily enough, I didn't find hovering as much of a problem as I thought it would be. I did struggle for a while with normal approaches, trying to get the balance between descent rate and forward airspeed. Initially I took out too much airspeed and then I tended to have too much and have to pull too much power right at the bottom...

 

My take off is still a little wobbly, for some reason. It seems I don't correct enough to begin with and then it goes a little pear shaped through ETL. I figure it's about practice but if someone has any handy hints, I'd sure appreciate them.

 

Anyway, very glad to finally be enjoying the flying and not just reading about it. Fantastic - and thanks to all those who've helped in recommending books, videos, test prep stuff etc. It's really helped having the overview in the first couple of weeks.

 

Cheers

 

i4iq

[West Coaster]

Congrads! Great feeling eh? Enjoy it while it lasts, nothing quite beats flight training.

 

I kinda had the same problem when doing a takeoff. As soon as it went thru translation the tail would kick out on me as I couldn't anticipate it enough to back off the pedals. Then my instructor showed me a neat little trick.

 

As soon as you feel that first little shudder telling you you're entering translation, lower the collective just a hair. Not enough to make you sink, maybe just plateau an instant. By you doing this, you automatically add the right amount of pedal and the ship stays pointed in the right direction. And the helicopter will have enough momentum to push itself thru translation even with a slight decrease in blade pitch. Also with a decrease in the blades pitch, the passage thru translation isn't as dramatic.

 

Once you try this and get good at it, you can do it with such precision that neither you or the instructor will be able to feel the helicopter go thru translation, or see a change in ground speed, or notice a change in your departure angle. Very smooth.

[i4iq]

Hey West Coaster

 

Thanks for the tip! I'll try it out and let you know how I get on - not feeling translation sounds like a great target!

 

Appreciate the tip

 

Cheers

[Witch]

I don't notice any shudder.

 

How came the book says that translational lift starts at about 20 Kts, but it seems to take effect at about 40Kts?

 

Later.

[Brianmech72]

I noticed it only because the instructor pointed it out when it happened. After the second or third time I could anticipate it and did feel it. It was very subtle though.

[West Coaster]

I don't notice any shudder.

 

How came the book says that translational lift starts at about 20 Kts, but it seems to take effect at about 40Kts?

 

Later.

 

What machine ya training on? I did mine in a Robbie and different types have different takeoff characteristics. And sometimes the shudder thru translation was very pronounced, other times barely there depending on all the usual variables. Maybe I'm using the wrong wording too, perhaps more of a flutter.

 

Wait till ya get into vertical transational lift doing towering takeoffs. Those are a hoot when 1st learning. Almost like falling upwards.

 

Not too sure about your speeds there too Witch, but someone with more experience can help ya out with that one.

[Gerhardt]

Congratulations! I hope you keep this thread going and use it to keep us updated. How often are you getting to fly? Still have a death grip on the cyclic? I hope you're enjoying yourself.

[i4iq]

Hey Gerhardt

 

I was aware of the death grip on the cyclic issue before I started so make conscious efforts to relax a little - still far from perfect but coming along...

 

My tenseness is more on the pedals - for some reason, my feet are fighting each other to make sure it doesn't swing too fast one way or the other - mostly on set downs. Don't seem to give enough right pedal just before landing... somehow need to become more comfortable in ground manouvres...

 

Flying about 1.5 hours per day - sometimes 2 slots.

 

West Coaster

 

Thanks - that tip works great, I'm much less wobbly now!

 

 

 

Also did my own autos, 180's, settling with power and simulated engine failures today. Much less of a drama than I thought they would be. Someone told me they are much more intense at lower alititude when in a pattern than at 2000 feet. Hopefully trying that tomorrow...

[btwomey]

ive also started mine. Been at it about 2 months now and have 18hours done. Straight and level climbing and descending hovering etc all fine like urself havin a bit of bother with etl and lifting into a hover, I seem to be very hesitant !!!! Really liking it though and hope to have my PPL by Jan or Feb

[dauphin_army]

Hi All,

 

Excellent thread. I hope to commence my PPL(H) training soon .

 

Regards,

 

Dauphin_Army (PPL-

[PA Pilot]

My tenseness is more on the pedals - for some reason, my feet are fighting each other to make sure it doesn't swing too fast one way or the other - mostly on set downs. Don't seem to give enough right pedal just before landing... somehow need to become more comfortable in ground manouvres...

I don't think that's uncommon -- I used to do that big time. It will go away with time, but I found it helped when I found myself doing that, to just tell myself to relax.

[Grant B]

i4iq and btwomey,

 

Congrats you two.

 

You are now helicopter pilots - certified or not - so that's a cool thing.

 

I hope you enjoy the training, have fun with it and keep it safe.

 

[HelliBoy]

when you feel yourself getting tense on the pedals wiggle your toes. Its uncanny how well it works. good luck.