I barely slept last night with the excitement and anticipation that is felt at the beginning of a lifelong dream. Today I commenced the practical side of my license. After balancing study, work and a life on the side for the past year, the next 2 months off work are a welcome reward to focus on balancing the machine itself. I arrived at 07:30 at the hanger and it was straight to the chopper for the pre-flight checks. It was a damn cold morning (meteorologically correct term) and the chopper was colder still.
Today was more theory than flying (1.1 hours flight time logged) but the instructor was adamant that as the lessons become more familiar they tend to streamline toward tipping the scales the other way. Regardless, when we lifted onto the "cushion of air" in the hover and took flight for the training area I was reminded that this is going to be a hell of a lot of fun and incredibly rewarding.
The majority of the training is going to be done in the Robinson 22 (R22), a two seat helicopter predominantly used for training, mustering or private pilots. The R22 (pictured below) is a nimble yet difficult machine to master and the majority of the pilots I've spoken to suggest that if you can learn to fly this machine, you can fly any rotary aircraft. These pictures were taken after the flight, i.e. after descending from cloud 9 :)
Looking very happy and proud!! Congrats on the first lift off (and safe landing) very proud you're finally realising your dream :)
ReplyDeleteThis is very exciting. I think this blog is a great way to document your wonderful new adventure into flight. I love the photos. Sooo proud.
ReplyDeleteLove Mum
Well I remember the many Matchbox planes and choppers (red) , Harold the Helicopter on jumper, countless drawings and magazines... A dream shaped over a generation
ReplyDeleteGo Johnno!!! Can't wait 'til blog 10, 20, 200 and beyond!
ReplyDeleteFantastic to read of your adventures Jono. It must be fabulous to realise a dream you have held for such a long time. I wish you well and look forward to further instalments.
ReplyDeleteSooooo exciting!!! I just LOVE the grin on your face in those pics :-) Can't wait to be with you throughout this journey. Geraldine xxxx
ReplyDeleteHaven't quite worked out Flickervertigo, as I seem to have removed my last comment and can't find those from first day, but how was dat two? I imagine more airtime? What route do training flights traverse? Familiar territory for locals? How far do you travel in a session? And is a fair bit of time spent learning to hover?
ReplyDeleteI won't be posting every day Dad. Every day is different, yesterday I learned climbing/descending/turning did 1.2 hours up and down the coast, today started on the hover and it was a killer! Did 2 odd hours. All hovering done at Jandakot so don't travel far at all. Haven't got the hang of the hover yet so yes, will need more time... $$$$$
DeleteWell hover in there, mate, it'll come sure as learning to ride a bike and a motorbike, or sail a yacht, or indeed fly a fixed wing, only harder. The skills will be wired into muscle & nerve memory, eventually. John Sonnevelde said hovering was the most difficult to learn. You'll get there, Evn if it's with "a little help from your friends". Standing behind you, mate, Rohan
DeleteYeah cheers dad. Have you changed your name to Rohan?
DeleteNaaaaah Apple predictive text
ReplyDelete