Gyroplane Training 
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Web by: Rebel Systems Training Days April 7 - 22 2001 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 May 26 - June 2 2001 April 1 - 11 2002 |
Day 10 Today has turned out to be very pleasant. 10 knot winds, and more importantly no sign of rain. Roger doesn't like getting the VPM wet! Started with flying out to the North West, and given a series of precision flight tasks. These including two hundred feet, or one hundred feet height gains and losses through 180 degree turns, and it was good to see how these had improved with ending the turn on the button. This part was very good as I could readily see the improvement. Second part of the session was circuits. I was hoping that things would be better, now the feet positions were rationalised, and so it was. The feet were not perfect but they were starting to show promise. Circuits, and maneuver anticipation were better, and things were beginning to get more fluid. Circuit work is by now very good, and start of descents to land were getting better. Still not flaring at the end of the thin wedge and getting the nose up properly. Missing the right pedal into the flair from left, but on the whole a massive improvement. That was 1 hour 5 minutes. Time for a break. Second session, same again, but had to be "proper" circuits to start as things were busy, and some heavy and fast traffic was being handled as well as us. Descents getting better again, and now starting to flair. Feet were beginning to do what they should be and being more able to fly the tail rather than tail -> react -> pedals. Actually starting to land it, wow!!! Now the rudder work was improving I was given the odd take off as well to handle. A little steep at first too low down, with the speed bleeding off, but starting to overcome that as the session progressed. BUT, of real note is the feet starting to become reactionary. Not quite there yet, and Roger doesn't trust them quite yet, but I am relieved that they are finally coming on line. Roger gave me some unusual approach positions to sort out as well and these went well. Made a bit of a pig of the first, but the next few were ok. Starting to get tired and the landings were deteriorating so we called it. All in all a very productive 1 hour 15 minutes with much learnt. Roger has just gone off for a fun fly in a gaggle.
And Mike in his 912 Merlin, and Mall in his 582 version
And not forgetting the expensive rotory guys!
Said it was busy!!! Being such a good day, Roger had time to go on a cross country with someone else, and have time for another session with me. More of the same, circuits and landings. Things were beginning to look up. Reasonable landings, and takeoffs were coming along to. I tended to not keep the nose flat enough once the wheels were off however, but I was beginning to get the hang of them. Landings were coming on, but again I still had a tendency to do a trike type flair, but again these were improving. It was good to see the feet working properly however: AT LAST!!! Dave, training a trike student for landings and takeoffs was nicely fitting in with us. We were doing low level right, and he was doing circuit height left. We would overhaul him generally on the downwind to make the base to finals slot. My landings were becoming much more to order... After 50 minutes of very tight circuits my wrist had had enough so we called it, but not before Roger had a play. Andrew, piloting a Merlin took off, and we spent the next 10 minutes chasing him, low level around the airfield. I wish I had my camera with me as it was spectacular. We would generally take the higher slot, and he would be looking all around to spot us and to try and shake us, much to Roger's delight. This was fast, low level flying that was spectacular to see, not only for those on the ground but for me also. A good example of how maneuverable they were. With a calm, warm evening Roger said that either could have easily landed safely if the engine quit which was comforting to know. I love these gyros!!! Tomorrow, weather allowing should be more takeoffs and landings, and engine offs and consolidating for single seat training. Real progress today, and I'm happy having done 3 plus hours, and overcome my block... |
