Small Miletsone!

HeliCraig · Posted: Thu Jan 18, 2007 5:37 pm Post subject: Small Miletsone!

Hi Folks,

Thought I would share with you (show off really), now that I have calmed down a little, that I flew my first solo on Tuesday - finally the weather to do it in when I had a machine booked as well.

Its amazing how much that flight cost me though - the bill in The Aviator (bar at Sywell), was incredible Very Happy

Its taken a couple of days just to calm back down (and possibly sober up)!

Craig.

rjc · Posted: Thu Jan 18, 2007 5:53 pm Post subject:

Great stuff, but that must have been some hangover - two days before you were able to post this milestone!

A nice chap bought be a cup of tea after mine. How come you ended up with the bar bill?

Catwoman · Posted: Thu Jan 18, 2007 7:47 pm Post subject:

Well done HeliCraig Bravo!

I follow blme's students' progress all the time and I know how much hard work goes into your flying, and studying #Shocked

It is a wonderful moment when a student goes solo - and not just for the student but for the instructor as well (especially when they bring themselves back to the airfield safely - but also with the heli Helicopter

)

Again, fantastic news HeliCraig - WELL DONE!

Cat

PS: Wish we could have joined you in the bar Cheers!

That part of it is all 'part and parcel' of each milestone of your PPL(H) Cheers!

WhirlyGirl · Posted: Thu Jan 18, 2007 9:25 pm Post subject:

HeliCraig,

Congratulations!! Looking at the title of the thread I'd say you're still in the bar Wink

You'll never forget the flight - well done! Didn't anyone warn you that the student always buys the drinks? It's in LASORS you know! Laughing

Well that's what we were told - if blme was pulling our leg then I think he'd better start running now! Laughing

WhirlyGirl Cool

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CPL(H) / FI(H) - Cabri G2, R22, S300, R44, B206
Flight Examiner (H), Ground Examiner (H)

rotorcraig · Posted: Thu Jan 18, 2007 9:35 pm Post subject:

Well done Craig, excellent stuff!!!

RC

James T Lowe · Posted: Thu Jan 18, 2007 10:23 pm Post subject:

Nice one Craig - a rather large milestone (or miletsone) I reckon! Very Happy

Congratulations.
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J.

ORC · Posted: Thu Jan 18, 2007 10:41 pm Post subject:

Is that a coat hanger in your mouth or do you always grin like that ? Well done mate, whats it like up there on your own ? Very Happy

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R22 2.6 h/r wanting more, a hell of a lot more

rotorcraig · Posted: Thu Jan 18, 2007 10:50 pm Post subject:

Tell us more when you sober up Craig Very Happy

Just the one circuit or a few?
How did it feel up there - and did you talk to yourself?

RC

HeliCraig · Posted: Thu Jan 18, 2007 11:58 pm Post subject:

Thanks for all your good wishes folks.

It was an amazing experience - nobody to bale me out! I talked to myself extensively, the whole way around. I think I pulled off a fairly good circuit until the approach.

I was worried about vortex ring so kept watching the airspeed indicator a little too much and came in a bit fast as a result. I then struggled to slow it down, and panicked a little I guess. When I had calmed down, got a proper hover and put down I think there was such a deep imprint of my hands on the controls it is still in G-OSHL now!!

Brilliant experience though, and yet scary at the same time. Really want to get on with it now, but because Jan / Feb are low earning months for me may have to put it back a bit!!

Thanks again for all your kind words.

HC.

PS: Hope my spelling / typo rate is better now!

gusmagoo · Posted: Sun Jan 21, 2007 4:00 pm Post subject:

Congratulations Craig!
Helicopter

I'm way off my solo but the thought of it's always at the back of my mind!

Keep it up!!! Cool

HeliCraig · Posted: Sun Jan 21, 2007 9:05 pm Post subject:

Thanks Gus,

You will get there too. It took me a while because of money / work, but it feels like I've done the longest leg now (even though maybe I haven't!).

If you want advice at any point from another low hour'r give us a msg, or a ring (just PM for number). ESPECIALLY when your on the edge of giving the whole thing up (you will be at some point, rest assured!). I had a friend (BNZO) who looked after me at low points!

So worth it, think big picture, always.

Thanks everyone for your encouragement.

Craig.

rotorcraig · Posted: Sun Jan 21, 2007 10:47 pm Post subject:

HeliCraig · Posted: Mon Jan 22, 2007 3:37 pm Post subject:

RC,

It is a fab machine now isn't it? (Better than G-JERS by a long long way!). Apparently it had to have a new cabin when it was rebuilt because over time the forces of landings / takeoffs had compressed the old one!!

C.

heliaviator · Posted: Thu Jan 25, 2007 3:31 pm Post subject:

Milestone for my son as well.......he went solo today.
Also the first time he's flow a clipper.
Did another 3 solo circuits.
He was just 16 four weeks ago, and this is the first time the WX has been good enough.
Don't think he will be in the bar tonight though Exclamation

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heliaviator(Ian) PPL(H) R44

HeliCraig · Posted: Thu Jan 25, 2007 4:49 pm Post subject:

Pass my Congrats on to him - just dont be so sure he wont be in a bar tonight!!

Mad Dog 20/20 was all the rave when I was 16!!