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 13 The forecast has the morning as useful for single seat at less than 10 knots, but looking out of the window of the tower has the clouds moving at a much higher rate. Can't see that taking too long to get down to ground level. Well, I was right on that. 20 minutes later, as I walked over to the hanger, I thought this is definitely not 10 knots. Quick check with the tower indicated 17 knots and rising and gusty with it. Single seat was out. However the conditions were suitable for 2 seat, so Roger decided that we could do some more 2 seat work. Hovers needed to be looked at so we started with a briefing.
I was up first so "booted and spurred" we set off into circuits to loosen up. First take off of the day was its usual ropey self with lifting off too nose up, but got that under control. A little more landing practice, still needing work on the thin wedge, but the actual landings themselves are looking good. Then a little engine off practice, which was a none event to be quite honest. Not so in the microlight, and they always filled me with great trepidation in picking a suitable landing field that was flat and long enough. Then it was onto putting the hover brief into practice, so nicely lined up above the runway at 800 feet, power back gently, and lift the nose, (sorry, that is "invite" the nose up!). When that sinking feeling comes then increase power, always maintaining trim on the rudder, and directly into wind. The back pressure on the cyclic was a lot greater than I was expecting, but a reasonable hover was achieved. I hadn't noticed I was in lift though, and when at 1000 feet Roger mentioned that maybe I had a little too much power in, so reduce until 800 feet back on and then stabilize. Well I was happy with my first attempt. Reduce power and "invite" the nose down to recover, regaining airspeed then trimming for cruise. Into circuit, and back around for another go. Feeling for the wind with the rudder, whilst reducing power and increasing attitude, until sink felt, then increase power whilst juggling the rudder, and a nice hover was achieved at 800 feet. Much better. Held that for a while then power off a little, nose gently down until flight speed back on, and trim for cruise. GREAT feeling. Nominated spot landings were getting good as well, so must be learning something! Next a spot of cross wind landing practice. Location chosen was in the shadow of a lot of trees and the wind was now gusting 20 knots, so I knew this was going to be bumpy. Roger went into the first one, for a demo. Eh, no way Roger, I'm not doing that in these conditions. He was VERY active on the rudder and stick, and things were very busy. He said it was too much for me, PHEW!!! The GFT calls for a cross wind landing at the machines capabilities, which for the VPM means a 25 knot cross wind. I can see this is going to be interesting when we get more stable conditions to practice. We called it early, after 50 minutes, as conditions were deteriorating. I like these kind of conditions, but it was not conducive to the work that needed to be done. Things left to be done in the VPM are engine outs from various "difficult" positions, and cross wind landings. As an aside a little more to be done on the thin wedge to sharpen that up, and flatten the takeoff to get the speed before going up. Feet and cyclic are good though!!! We are hoping for better conditions this evening when hopefully we can do some single seat work. Into evening, and it was by now 1900 before things were looking hopeful. Three of us for single seat, Dave and myself newbies, and Howard who has his license but hadn't flown for some time so just a refresher for him in his Cricket. All engines running, but Dave's stopped. Running, stopped again and so on then wouldn't start again, whilst Roger was trying in desperation by now to get it going. It was decided that Dave would share India Oscar with me. Whilst all this was going on I was over the other side of the apron at idle looking down the throat of this horrible black cloud. Sure enough as soon as Roger saw it we were summoned back. The wind got up and the rain came down. Session called off. I had managed to get the rotors up on the pre-rotator, but that was about the extent of it. Can't push the conditions for initial single seat training. We have arranged to check conditions for a very early session tomorrow, so we'll see if that works any. Dave, and myself will share the Benson, which is fine as we won't be able to do the initial work for very long as we will be drained. First run on the single seater under rotors is tantalizingly close!!! |
