All flights are operated by “THE HELICOPTER CENTRE”

PRACTISED FORCED LANDING – GO

The Briefing starts at … This Sunday morning, it’s a little cloudy with a partially blue sky, we start the briefing for emergency engine failure. Firstly, the instructor explains how we start the exercise. After we reach the altitude of 2,000 feet, he will take over the same checks that I would normally do for […]

FINALLY LANDING

First landing My first landing somewhere on the grass field in Goodwood, in rainy and pure visibility conditions, is absolutely perfect straight from the first attempt and takes me exactly 5 seconds. It is so perfect that both myself and my instructor are speechless for a second. But, he thinks that this must have been pure beginner’s luck, […]

QUICK STOPS

Visual Idea of the Exercise – YouTube Compared to other parts of the blog, for the Quick Stops I would like to line up my experience backwards. I think it’s more of a help to firstly watch how a proper “Quick Stop” looks, then get an idea of how not to fly them and then, let it […]

PLANNING NAVIGATION FLIGHTS

Start to read this book EARLY! From the 2nd week, my instructor asked me every day: “Have you started to read “Navigation?” – “No, not yet.” – “You should really start it. You improve well in Airfield Work & Handling Exercises and if you don’t start now, we will have to take a break. Navigation flights […]

RADIO – A “BLACK BOX”?

The first Talk ends in good laughter My very first contact with the tower happened on the second day. During Startup Check, it reached that time when we needed to contact the tower and my instructor asks me if I feel ok to call the tower. I have heard this message twice now and think, […]

FIRST FLIGHT TO ANOTHER AIRFIELD

Briefing – Shoreham Today’s briefing starts with the words: “Are you ready to fly to Shoreham?” You fly and I take over navigation and radio. There will be more radio, very good exercise for you to just listen and try to pick up as much as you can.” “That sounds absolutely awesome – let’s go!” I […]

FIRST CIRCUITS & FREDAT

Circuits – Feel like a pilot Today’s first question: “Have you ever heard about “Circuits”? Yes – it’s what you learn at the beginning to understand where the wind comes from and how to line up to land. You should of course be able to fly it properly at the exam. Afterward, in real life, no […]