Gettin' hosed

What's with the wind? You'd think I lived in Florida or something...oh wait, I do. :o( I guess I picked the wrong (windy) season to start helicopter training. So far my first two flights have been cancelled due to high and gusty winds. Helicopters can fly in the winds, no problem...it's just training in windy conditions is not ideal. It's like being on student status again...sitting on my ass watching all the up jumpers jump. Oh well, maybe today will be better.

All signed up

I have lessons scheduled for every day this week. Unfortunately, the wind is looking a little iffy today but hopefully it will calm by this afternoon or tomorrow. My text book is a little scientifically over my head...but I'm sure that if I have the right tutor it will click. It's been years since I've had to study! Need to bust out the index cards and make some flash cards!!

Next step, Done!

Welp, just got home from getting my FAA Medical Certificate. I have to admit it was a bit of a joke. The doctor took my blood pressure, listened to my heart and lungs, looked down my throat and it one ear and charged me $90. The entire process took maybe 10 minutes. Oh well, it was a necessity.

Some of you have asked for a link to the training facility I will be using...so, here it is - Air Orlando. I will be setting up my first lesson with Roar next week. My plan is to go balls to the wall so be prepared to be bombarded with overly excited training blogs.

I did it!!

My first flight was yesterday and it went well. I was actually given more control than I expected. There are three major controls in the helicopter that the pilot must use during flight. They are: (1) Collective pitch control. (2) Anti Torque Pedals or Tail Rotor Control. (3) Cyclic Stick Control. The collective is a lever located to your left side. This control controls rpm and altitude. The pedals turn and prevent turns and the cyclic is the stick between your legs that can control small altitude adjustments and turns. We went on a short flight from Orlando Executive Airport to downtown Orlando. During this flight I took control of the cyclic and tried to keep us at 600 ft and on heading (it's so not as easy as it sounds!). Then we came back to the airport and played around with hovering. I got to try each of the 3 controls individually. The cyclic was the most challenging...you don't think that you're even touching the thing and the helicopter is going every which way. It became rather amusing. Ian was off on the side watching and could totally tell when I was in control. Anyway, I can totally bored you all with all the details, but I will leave it here. It was fun, scary, and very challenging...I wasn't a natural like I expected, but oh well. Nothing worth doing comes easy.


This school is a little different than Bristow. It's a little more self guided and is smaller with more family like feel. I will be starting as soon, I get my medical Thursday and hopefully be in the air for my next lesson next week!!