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 25 So, what's the crack then: Nothing for 10 months after such a blistering start? Work got in the way initially, then an accident to a local gyro flyer which he didn't walk away from caused me to seriously question my options. Here was a 70+ hour pilot on a new design Cricket MK IV, that after some considerable mishandling bit back. After talking to many, I was able to come to the conclusion that it was mishandling, but Gyro's are a small, very tight community, where such an accident is felt very close to all. My heartfelt sympathies go to his family. I wasn't going to be kept out of the air, so in the intervening time I converted to a Denney Kitfox MKII 3 axis fixed wing tail dragger and converted it to an SLA to fly on my Microlight licence. I put some 30 hours on that having converted to type with Graham Slater. I did however began to realise that it was too GA for me requiring much preparation for landing which wasn't the style that I wanted to fly in, preferring to do a last minute turns onto the threshold and into small, grass strips that invariably had a tree line guard just to keep interest up! I also found that I didn't like the enclosed cockpit, preferring the wind in my face. Well, that lasted 4 months, then I sold it on. I hope that Martin, it's new owner get's on better with it than I did. Well, next back to flexiwings, and I bought a Pegasus Quantum 582, from another Martin, (whilst selling the Kitfox to a Martin at the same time!). Back to what I know and love. Landings were great, and I felt happy again. These damn rotors, just can't get them out of my head. So it was, somewhat as another coincidence that I get a letter from Roger asking what I was up to. Well that was it: The spark reignited, I booked up for a week with him, with the following week provisionally if the weather plays silly buggers with us, then waited not altogether patiently for the due date. As always the previous week, the weather has been wonderful, and Roger managed to get two through their GFT's having started from nothing at the beginning of the week. Well I managed just under 10 hours in that week on the flexi so there!!! So, this week is off to a bad start as you might have gathered from the tone above. Today is wind and rain, and somewhat blustery at times... Roger takes another up in the VPM for the early stages of his 2 seat training. Takes off in 5 knots to land later in 17 with the upper air beginning to kick up. Well I managed to get on the Benson and make Benson/503 noises. Roger was down by now and checked out that my reactions were still valid, as I had had 10 months out, various machines inbetween, (mind you those that know the Kitfox MKII will know how much of a footfull the weak tail is!), including a 2 axis flexiwing. Reactions were still valid, and Roger agreed with me that since I was still wired correctly we could go straight onto the solo training. Those that have followed this up to now will know how much of a problem the feet gave in training taking some 7 hours to crack the correct reactions. I think the Kitfox certainly helped in this respect. Ah well, tomorrow is another day. I'm itching to get back into it, but I know that a scare now will not be good psychology so looking for light winds and/or straight down the runway. An hour of wheel balances I think to get back into the groove, but I feel confident of the level I got to last time, and that the lessons have been learnt and retained. I wonder if I should have said that, sod's law and all that!!! I must just mention Colin's efforts. He's just coming to the end of his 2 seat training, but so bitten by it, he has a Mike Mee Merlin 912 being built and Roger went down to do an inspection on it. I got to sit in a Merlin also and realised that it would remove one of my bug bears about gyros'. The Merlin is a capable cross country machine even in 582 form, with a 50 litre tank, and a much more streamlined pod reducing the drag considerably. Now that has started another thought germinating!!! Still can't take a passenger, which is my other bugbear, but there are things happening in this area also: I used to be decisive, now I just can't make up my mind... I'll try and get some pictures of the BGL Cricket MKVI aka AV-18 to post on day 26. |