Yesterday was my 2nd ever helicopter flight and the 1st time I actually got to fly it! K-State Salina acquired the helicopter last fall, and mainly started student training this spring. Since I don’t plan on getting any more ratings after this MEI, I figured it is my last opportunity to fly the KSU-S helicopter.
My friend and fellow CFI (rotor wing, of course), Daniel went up for a short flight yesterday morning. The weather was beautiful and winds calm. After following him around on a quick preflight, we were buckled in and ready to roll…or whatever they call it in a whirly bird. : )
Since I was only taking one flight, we decided for times sake, he would start it up and do the checks so that I could go put-put around Salina and have fun. He hovers it momentarily then hands the Cyclic (stick that controls the rotor blades—allowing you to rotate the blades forward, backwards, right and left) over to me. EIK! What am I doing? He talks me through it all and I am sure to any and all people watching, I looked like a drunk pilot! I swaggered the helicopter over so we could get clearance to depart the area. (Niki said she saw me just after lift off and knew it couldn’t have been Daniel flying at first, due to the zig-zagging motion across the ramp! Lol.)
We got our clearance and Daniel used the Collective (lever by his left hand that allows the helicopter to go up and down) to gain altitude until we were up where he let me take over some more control and get a feel for what flying a helicopter is all about. We hovered around down-town area and I practiced each control, one at a time to get the feel of what they all do. Then we came back to the airport to do some landings. He demonstrated how to do so and what speeds to be looking for. I watched attentively, feeling like a private pilot all over again. Landing 2, here I go! I had the cyclic and attempted to hold the correct speeds coming in…with help from Daniel, I landed. Lift off, and a few more landings later, we came in.
We did a hover taxi across the airport back to the ramp to do more practice with the Tail Rotor Control (AKA-rudder pedals by my feet). Unlike an airplane, the control of these pedals are OPPOSITE! So my left foot moved us right and visa versa. Talk about negative transfer of learning! I had to think about the feet before I touched the controls. I still didn’t quite get the hang of that completely, but I’m sure that is something that can be taught and mastered with practice. On the way in, I definitely realized how hard it is to use each hand and foot individually and how the coordination and individual use of your limbs to multitask this aircraft (if I can call it that) would take several hours to get completely used to.
Over all, Daniel said that I did well for my first flight. Although, I felt like I could use more work on the controls, but for day 1, it was not bad. It was fun, and that’s what I had wanted from the start, a short fun intro flight—and it was.
I don’t know if I will get to fly a helicopter again, but when I get that opportunity—I’m definitely going to take it! I highly recommend any type of helicopter ride—whether you go on a sightseeing tour or actually get to fly it—it is an amazing experience!
Cheerio,
~Robin
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