Fixed Wing To Rotary Options

[c150student]

I have a PPL(A) but want to take a trial lesson in a helicopter. Has anyone got any tips/advice to a fixed wing pilot, so that I can get the most out of the trial flight? How do they compare? And just to check, would I be able to log the time and put it towards hours TT?

Many thanks

[USMCmech]

I've looked at adding my helicopter rating to my liscense as well.

Acording to the CFIH I spoke to, when it comes to flying a helicopter, almost nothing carries over. It is an entirely different animal. He said that fixed winge pilots do pick it up SLIGHTLY quicker, but not enough to make any difference. There is no written, and the systems and helo aerodynamics are covered in a couple of ground lessons. Things like radios, navigation, weather, ect you already know. So all you really need to learn is how to handel the machine.

Let us know how it goes.

[Piltdown Man]

Helicopters are great fun. I've had a reasonable "clutch" of an R22, Bell 47(style), Jet Ranger (a blue one) and a Gazelle. But whilst I can fly the buggers, that's all I can do so far. Take something simple like a hover taxy. You shake and clatter your way from the apron to the departure area/runway and then at the holding point call "ready". The Ground then says, "Call Tower on..." You (well I do) are using two hands and both feet to stop the thing from bumping into the ground, so which set of fingers do you use to operate the radio? And engine failures/auto-rotations - whoa! Completely different technique to fixed wing, as the accident statistics prove with fixed wing pilots flying rotary winged aircraft.

But hey, they are brilliant fun and you can do things that are impossible in anthing else!

PM

[ChillSpiller]

Yeah, finally somone who really wants to fly

Apart form what USMCmech has already said Aviation Legislation would also be something you wouldn't have to redo.
When it gets to the handling, only horizontal flight with reasonable airspeed is quite similar to fixed wing. Any slower flying, turns, hovering, etc. needs one control input more. Needing you to controle three axis simultaneously. Hence it is slightly more demanding than fixed wing. Minimal inputs show maximum effect.

And engine failures/auto-rotations - whoa! Completely different technique to fixed wing, as the accident statistics prove with fixed wing pilots flying rotary winged aircraft.

True, unfortunately most pilots who have converted to helicopters have the instinct to push the stick forwards in case of an engine failure. To perform an autorotation though you need to turn the rotor into the "wind" and therefor push the stich back. In the worst case (say R22) you only have one or two seconds to react. Therefore always have an eye on your Rotor rpm and the torque.

[c150student]

I know this topic is old now, but today I went and had a trial lesson on a helicopter.

BLIMEY!

They aint lying when they say that the controls are sensitive. Flying straight and level is OK, even some turns are fine, but when it comes to hovering.... When I was just in control of the cyclic, I could just about cope (dont get me wrong, it was an appalling hover, but not too bad for a first lesson I would say) but when he gave me the pedals and the collective as well, I could hold it for a few seconds and then just ended up oscillating in a crazy circle :D The problem is, the copter starts to drift, so you correct a little too much, then you need to move the controls the other way, and again do this too much. In the end it starts to get away from you. Apparently its common to also get confused between roll and yaw. The helicopter starts moving to the right and Im not sure whether to apply left collective or left pedal.

But I will not be defeated! Im determined to succeed

[Kilrah]

Interesting... I'd really like to try once too. I wonder how that compares to models - I'm somewhat hopeless flying them helis from outside point of view, it's alrways harder to judge the orientation of these weird shapes as opposed to the distinctive cross of an airplane, but could do pretty well with inside view.

[effte]

The helicopter starts moving to the right and Im not sure whether to apply left collective or left pedal.

If those are the options, I'd suggest not moving the collective to the left. It will likely upset the owner, not to mention the aircraft. ;)

Cheers!
/Silly Bugger

[c150student]

Did I say collective? I meant cyclic. Obviously :D *blushes*

[Fast Jet]

Interesting... I'd really like to try once too. I wonder how that compares to models - I'm somewhat hopeless flying them helis from outside point of view, it's alrways harder to judge the orientation of these weird shapes as opposed to the distinctive cross of an airplane, but could do pretty well with inside view.

They reckon, a fixed wing pilot cannot go into a helicopter and hover it. It makes a nice bet, and who knows, you may win some money. I knew a guy who did the PPL(H) and it really is a different learning curve, with many dodgy things to watch out for, like rotor stall and a whole host of other stuff. Looks interesting though, would love to try it - if I was rich enough.