Just finished Intro Flight

July 16, 2007

W…..O….W.

If you can quit something cold turkey, can you get addicted just as easily? I think I just did.

No amount of preparation or anticipation could match what wound up being my intro flight today. After going through some preflight and a few Q&As, my Instructor fired up the engine and the rotors started spinning as the anticipation of the flight he had described to me began to set in. As we lifted off and began our taxi, I got goosebumps all over my body.

After gaining some altitude, we left the base airport to head for another where we could practice some hovering. On the way, I tried my hand at some straight & level flight (cyclic only) which, though more complicated than it sounds, ended up being relatively easy to handle.

We arrived at the other “airport” (Basically one strip in a field that had been mowed, and instead of lights marking the runway, there were deer.) and the instructor demonstrated an Autorotation. I always expected to get that “stomach-in-your-throat” feeling during an auto, but after a brief falling sensation, it seemed to happen pretty slowly. Yes, I’d much rather have my single engine helicopter fail than a single engine airplane.

At the smaller “airport” we practiced some hovering. First he had me try the pedals, then pedals and collective. I’ve always known that hovering was the hardest part, and boy…they aren’t kidding. I had flashbacks of my N64 days and trying to keep a mario kart coordinated (unsuccessfully). We then traded controls, and I had the cyclic. This was, by far, the toughest part ,but I can see how it would get much easier after a few more hours of practice. I think, for me, the thought of keeping track of fore/aft, left/right, as well as making sure my inputs aren’t too large, and waiting for the inputs I DO make to take effect was somewhat overwhelming. My instructor kept working with me, though. Several times it must have looked pretty funny (if anyone could have seen) to see this helicopter flying around all over the place, but he would level it out and give me the controls back.

After about 10 minutes of hover practice, we took off, and he had me practice a few turns (I had control of the cyclic). Then we flew back to our original airport, doing a few more turns on approach, and slowing our airspeed before touching down.

We then powered down, went inside for a brief chat. Turns out my instructor trained at SSH. He has a full time job in addition to his helicopter work. Most of his helo work involves training, photo flights, special events, etc. He currently has about 600 hours, most in the R22, a few in the R44, and 6 in a bell JetRanger.

I’m planning to start training once I have enough $$ to buy myself a 10 hour time block. The R22 time is usually $240/hour, but if bought in a block of 10 hours, it’s $173/hour. Instruction is $30/hour, and they typically do 2 hours of instruction for each flight, which may last between 1.2 - 1.8 hours. Any remaining instruction time is spent learning ground school stuff.

Hi, my name is Jason, and I’ve been a flight-a-holic for 4 hours.

July 16, 2007

[Hello, Jason welcome to VR thank god not NA AA or JH, just bs'in congratulations!

July 16, 2007

Good stuff man, congrats and welcome to the addiction

CHAD

July 16, 2007

Great story!

Where are you training?

July 16, 2007

Great story!

Where are you training?

I took the intro flight with Executive Helicopter at the Olathe Executive Airport in Olathe, KS. At this point I am planning on doing my PPL through them, probably starting once I'm ready to buy my first 10 hour block.

July 16, 2007

I took the intro flight with Executive Helicopter at the Olathe Executive Airport in Olathe, KS. At this point I am planning on doing my PPL through them, probably starting once I'm ready to buy my first 10 hour block.

Those prices are very reasonable. 172 for R22 time, block or not is great, I pay 210 block ,and its the best rate in L.A....welcome aboard!

Goldy

July 17, 2007

Those prices are very reasonable. 172 for R22 time, block or not is great, I pay 210 block ,and its the best rate in L.A....welcome aboard!

Goldy

Actually I listed the block price wrong....it's $2473 for a 10 hour block....still better than the $258/hour if bought 1-at-a-time. (Sales tax runs about $18/hour...YIKES!)

July 17, 2007

Congratulations! Thanks for posting your experience.

My experience was a little different. I was very excited, as you were, until we took off and were flying. Then I was kind of numb. I thought to myself, "This is no big deal." But then 2 days later, all of a sudden, it hit me. I couldn't stop thinking about it and telling everyone about it. I couldn't wait to go back. Maybe I was having withdrawals. Now I have an appointment for my Medical and I'm applying for financing so I can start training.

July 17, 2007

Dogdaddy, where in FL are you training??

CHAD

July 17, 2007

Congratulations! Thanks for posting your experience.
My experience was a little different. I was very excited, as you were, until we took off and were flying. Then I was kind of numb. I thought to myself, "This is no big deal." But then 2 days later, all of a sudden, it hit me. I couldn't stop thinking about it and telling everyone about it. I couldn't wait to go back. Maybe I was having withdrawals. Now I have an appointment for my Medical and I'm applying for financing so I can start training.

At this point I'm not planning on financing. I have a good full-time job that I want to keep, so I'm hoping (at least for now), to fit in whatever training I can. Mostly on weekends & maybe a few afternoons after work.

I just set up my medical exam today, and lucked out, they're getting me in on Friday. I'm going to go ahead with a 2nd class. Might as well make sure I meet the requirements before getting in too deep. I used to always fail the color dots test as a kid, but I've looked at a lot of them online and I'm able to see the numbers now. Maybe my eyes have changed.

I certainly know that "can't stop thinking about it" feeling. Every night when I go to bed, it's all that goes through my mind.

July 17, 2007

Dogdaddy, where in FL are you training??
CHAD

Chad, I'm at Elite in Lakeland. I also looked at Suncoast in Sarasota and liked them alot. In fact I seriously considered going to Suncoast even though they're 60 miles south of me. But then I met one of Elite's instructors and we "clicked". He did my intro flight and also 3 hours of ground school. The way he explains things, I learn so much and I understand so much. I feel some kind of "connection" with him, in a way, in that I want to learn from him. I want him to take me through the whole process. Also, Lakeland is less than 20 miles from my house which helps especially because I work full time M-F 9-5.

Edited July 17, 2007 by dogdaddy