Any recommended reading before I start training? (also, a CFI question)

[franknyc]

At my "discovery" flight, I was told that the school does not have a ground school and I should study on my own. Also, I get the impression that I only have a 10-15minute window after the fligh to ask questions. Is this normal? Do I just study on my own then go for my lessons. How much ground instruction should I be having with my CFI? The attitude at the school seems to be they teach you to fly, you learn the rest on your own (it could be bec. it was a "discovery" flight also and I really wasn't a student yet) At any rate, any suggested reading before I start? I'll be training in a 1983 R22.

[Galadrium]

I suggest you read about other flight schools. This is not what you should expect from a flight school.

[chronology]

I suggest you read about other flight schools. This is not what you should expect from a flight school.

 

 

Had the same question myself, check out the rotorcraft guide on the faa.gov website. You can download it adobe and print a copy or just stare through the hundred plus pages until your eyes fall out!! or pick one up at your local pilot shop, whichever is easiest. This should give you a great understanding of what to expect in training ahead, regardless the school. Good luck!

[Pogue]

At my "discovery" flight, I was told that the school does not have a ground school and I should study on my own. Also, I get the impression that I only have a 10-15minute window after the fligh to ask questions. Is this normal? Do I just study on my own then go for my lessons. How much ground instruction should I be having with my CFI? The attitude at the school seems to be they teach you to fly, you learn the rest on your own (it could be bec. it was a "discovery" flight also and I really wasn't a student yet) At any rate, any suggested reading before I start? I'll be training in a 1983 R22.

A small operator may want to concentrate on keeping his AC making money. The ASA Test Prep, Private Oral Exam Guide and Practical Test Standards along with the FAA Rotorcraft Flying Handbook and the Jeppesen Private Pilot Handbook will cover everything you need, although I would also get a copy of the R22 Pilot Operating Handbook as well. There's also several companies that have ground courses if you need a little more guidence. Check out Sporty's Pilot shop for some. I would be a little concerned about "10 to 15 minutes" to ask questions unless that was strictly for the Discovery flight. That may be enough, or not. If you're good at self study and comfortable with learning from books you can save some money that way. If not you may want to find a school that includes ground as part of their program. Either way make an effort to learn as much as you can on your own, or you end up using your flight time to learn stuff you can learn on the ground instead of concentrating on flying.

 

What ever you decide, good luck!

[ADRidge]

Find another school. I went to a couple before I settled on my choice, and even the one-man operation in Houston I took my discovery flight with was good enough to sit and talk helicopters and heli-related questions for a good two hours after my 30 minute flight.

 

I settled on a 141 school because there is a structured syllabus and I can tell you exactly what i'll be practicing tomorrow (steep bank turns, torque effect, etc) and the next day and two months from now.

 

Shop around. It took me a year to find my school, and I couldn't be happier.

[Goldy]

I'll be training in a 1983 R22.

 

 

Forget the reading, make sure the ship has -4 blades, a governor, working carb heat and is flying under 2500 MSL....then I would fly it..

 

Is that an Alpha model ?

 

Really, grab Sporty's CD for $35 bucks...start studying for your written....www.mywrittenexam is one free source.

Not all flight schools do a good job with a formal ground school...many, in fact, do not. If you're comfortable with your CFI and you dont have a problem with self starting and reading, then stick around...otherwise, find another school...

 

Goldy

[Voluptuary5]

At my "discovery" flight, I was told that the school does not have a ground school and I should study on my own. Also, I get the impression that I only have a 10-15minute window after the fligh to ask questions. Is this normal? Do I just study on my own then go for my lessons. How much ground instruction should I be having with my CFI? The attitude at the school seems to be they teach you to fly, you learn the rest on your own (it could be bec. it was a "discovery" flight also and I really wasn't a student yet) At any rate, any suggested reading before I start? I'll be training in a 1983 R22.

 

I’d be leery of a school that won’t spend time with you but that’s a topic for another thread (see the current “Hillsboro” thread going around).

 

I’d recommend “Principles of Helicopter Flight” by W.J. Wagtendonk since it hasn’t been mentioned yet. It helped me score a respectable score on the Army Flight Aptitude Test. And if it’s good enough for the Army, well…

 

I’ve heard it is a little more detailed than you might need to pass the FAA exams but in my humble opinion, if you understand the math and physics behind it all, it’ll make you that much more of a safer pilot in the long run.

 

-V5

[klmmarine]

It is one thing if they are giving you 15 min pre and post to ask questions but if they are saying (and my they I mean the school and the CFI) that you can ONLY use 15 min to ask questions I would suggest finding another school.

 

As for the self study stuff. I did an almost exclusively self-study program with the King Schools PPL-H, ground program and a few other books and getting information through PMs here at VR. I scored a 95 on my written exam and had no problems with my checkride. It can be done. That said I also had my instructor's cell phone number and email, with the understanding that I could call any time with questions or concerns.

[Voluptuary5]

Forget the reading, make sure the ship has -4 blades...

 

Goldy,

 

Wouldn't you be concerened if an R-22 had 4 blades?

 

But, maybe that's why you can fly inverted. You're flying the 4-bladed model...

 

-V5

[Goldy]

Goldy,

 

Wouldn't you be concerened if an R-22 had 4 blades?

 

But, maybe that's why you can fly inverted. You're flying the 4-bladed model...

 

-V5

 

 

Gosh, I hope you are kidding.

 

And yes, I fly the four blade rigid rotor turbine powered R 22 with the fenestron tail. How else do you think my fat butt gets off the ground?

 

Goldy

[Voluptuary5]

Gosh, I hope you are kidding.

 

And yes, I fly the four blade rigid rotor turbine powered R 22 with the fenestron tail. How else do you think my fat butt gets off the ground?

 

Goldy

 

I was kidding but assumed the only way you could have possibly got that picture of you flying inverted (your avitar) was in your 4-bladed, rigid rotor, turbine powered, R-22 with a fenestron tail rotor. I knew it...

 

How did you get all that past the FAA?

 

-V5

[wannabe heli pilot]

Look through the section of free on line books at the top of the helicopter training forum. Another book called learning to fly helicoppters by Randy Padfield is interesting. On the off study days you might enjoy Chickenhawk by Robert Mason.

Edited August 21, 2007 by wannabe heli pilot

[Goldy]

I was kidding

-V5

 

 

Wow, I can sleep again.

 

I took the 4 blade rotor off a 412, takes a bit longer to get up to speed, but once it gets spinning it never stops. I once went into an auto, landed, then did another in the pattern with the engine off...just rotor energy at work. Solves all the neg G issues as well....I highly recommend it.

 

Goldy

[Pogue]

I took the 4 blade rotor off a 412, takes a bit longer to get up to speed, but once it gets spinning it never stops. I once went into an auto, landed, then did another in the pattern with the engine off...just rotor energy at work. Solves all the neg G issues as well....I highly recommend it.

 

Goldy

Let me know when you upgrade to the Skycrane rotor... Then you should be able to do cross country autos.

[C.R.O.]

To the OP, this doesn't sound like a really good situation for you, or even a quality school.

 

I don't know how it works at other schools, but I can tell you how it works where I go, which is Hillsboro Aviation.

 

After each flight, I meet with my instructor, usually for 20-minutes to discuss the flight, he grades it, he signs off my flight log, and we go over any questions that I might have. If we need more time, we take more time, it's always an option. But 20 minutes has worked out pretty well so far, to answer the questions I have, and to discuss what I did right, what I did wrong, how my progress is, what I can do to improve, etc.

 

Beyond that, I also do one-on-one ground school with the same instructor. Ground school blocks are usually 2-hours, but occasionally, they are shorter, depending on the schedule. My instructor does encouraged me to read, to better understand topics, but he goes over everything in depth, and makes sure I understand before we move on to the next topic.

 

There is a lot to learn, and I honestly wouldn't feel comfortable being at a school that wasn't willing to take the time to teach you what you need to learn.

 

Edited to Add:

 

I agree with the suggestion to pick up the "Principles of Helicopter Flight" book. I picked that up while waiting for my loan process, and it really helped me grasp concepts even before I was shown them by my instructor. It also allowed to me to figure out some questions to ask my instructor right off the bat.

Edited August 22, 2007 by C.R.O.

[patata]

have a look at Mike Becker's Helicopter Handbook

http://www.beckerhelicopters.com/home.asp it gives you a lot of information especially before start studying. They are in Australia but they can ship worldwide. Very handy!

[67november]

for a start too finish home school ground school book get Phil Crouchers Professional helicopter pilots studies. available at www.helicoptersonly.com