Helicopters for glider pilots

"Andy" wrote in message
ups.com...

With zero helicopter time I had the opportunity to fly a Bell 47. In
less that 40 minutes of flight and perhaps 20 minutes on the controls,
I had done takeoff, hover, hover turns, approaches and landings. The
thing I found most difficult was keeping the engine in the 200rpm
power band with changes in collective.

I suspect that any glider pilot used to flying with a light touch on
the stick would have a similar experience.


I had a similar experience in a Hughes 300. Flying in normal flight was a
no brainer, while the hover, flying backwards, sideways and landing could be
accomplished reasonably easily - certainly within 30 mins. Yes the controls
are very sensitive, but as I observed at the time, I was used to flying and
was reasonably relaxed handling the controls. I've noticed when instructing
in gliders that people who are anxious often have difficulty controlling the
glider with sufficient sensitivity.

As I glider pilot I thought it essential that I was shown an autorotation
and power off landing. That was fun.

Stephen