Never too late to learn something new – Super Sue turns co-pilot
What a lovely way to start the year! In January I visited Flying Pig Helicopters (FPH) as Capt Dhillon had kindly volunteered to put a flying app on my phone. Whoops, I had brought everything, except my phone! But a visit to FPH is never wasted; catching up, talking about flying, learning from other students, pilots and staff. Good company, great conversation and a cuppa!
The R44 G-HERZ had completed its maintenance at Denham and was ready for collection.
“Sue, want to be my co-pilot?” Tony asked.
“Yes” I replied without hesitation. I will be back in time for work and HERZ is back ready for flying commitments the next day. Perfect Win Win!
Capt Rutt advised me of my duties as co-pilot; complete pre-flight information in the tech log, whilst under his close supervision and a watchful eye. Listen to the radio, note down airfield information, surrounding areas, QNH, look out for air traffic and not to touch anything in the cockpit. Ensuring safety around helicopter on airfield, no passengers on board while fueling. A preflight brief is important regardless of how experience of a Co-Pilot is, so that everyone on board knows what their duties and responsibilities are and makes clear who’s in charge, in this case Tony.
Under Tony’s guidance I completed the Technical log, known as Tech log. A first for me.
1st section Pre flight – after Tony dipped the tanks for fuel – 16 gals on board, uplift is required.
2nd section Pre flight – Uplift fuel – 30gals, – HERZ burns 13 gals an hour on average.
3rd section Pre flight – Departure fuel – 46gals.
R44 must have a minimum landing fuel of 10 gals. (Pilots Operating Handbook R44)
4th section Oil status Preflight – ‘draw a diagonal line Sue, in Oil box bottom left to top right’. Then Box is divided into 2 sections top & bottom. Top, write in how much oil added, i.e. how much are we adding, this time 1 quart after dipstick check, as we need between 7-9 quarts, so total of 8, – write 8 in bottom section, total oil including uplift.
Tony double checked my entries, signed as Capt. Entered Tony’s name T. Rutt as Pilot, from Denham to Elstree. Phew, I’ve not messed it up. All correct.
Quick dash to my car to collect my flying glasses and Hi-Vis, I am always prepared and ready to fly. An Uber was arranged for us to HQ. I waited outside the hanger, while Tony spoke with ground crew requesting full fuel, we are light weights so could take off with 46 gallons with full fuel and well within weight & balance limitations. All documentations collected and ready to do ‘A Check’ before our flight.
Dual controls removed, legal requirement so that passengers are not tempted to ‘grab’ the controls, no matter who they are.
Tony goes through the pre flight take off check list, saying everything out loud, not just for my benefit, but something he does naturally even flying solo, good practice for us all. Hydraulics working – question for later, Tony’s busy concentrating on check list, all OK and now ready for lift.
Radio call to tower for airfield information noted, careful check around HERZ as other aircraft close by. Lift and check heli and instruments to make sure everything is all good. Careful maneuvering into clear air space, lined up and radio to say ready for departure via 24 and we’re off.
Tony, Radio to say ‘Clear of ATZ, Overhead Maple Cross’.
Clear skies, I’m on ‘spot the aircraft’ duties, as well as Tony. I got my clock face wrong, Aircraft 3 o’clock, I meant 9 o’clock! Luckily Tony knew what I meant!
Time for questions – ‘How did you know hydraulics were OK, I didn’t see any warning lights?’
As R22 doesn’t have hydraulics (the helicopter I normally fly) Answer – ‘There are no warning lights, cyclic is hydraulic, you feel for the change in movement’ ‘Oh, like powered steering.’
‘How did you know we were overhead Maple Cross?’ I was looking out for landmarks.
Answer ‘Sky Demon told me.’
I’m busy watching outside the cockpit, looking at the horizon, gauging where i.e. 70 knots of airspeed is for me, different for us all. What are the instruments reading? What do they mean? What is in our airspace? What is the radio saying? Are they speaking to us? What are other pilots reporting? Looking at Sky Demon wasn’t on my radar 😊. Tony did it all seamlessly.
Approaching Elstree Airfield, noting their landmarks, landing smoothly on Helipad. Shut down. Tony will complete landing documentation and aircraft checks. I’m off to work!
Take away from this AV-venture… If you ever get the opportunity to fly with a qualified pilot… say yes! Enjoy being in the air without the strain of flying i.e. cyclic, collective, pedals in trim, airspeed, radio and everything else. It is great to take in, observe, learn from and ask questions at the appropriate times. Flying is always fun. Thank you Tony!
Super Sue R22 Student and Capt Rutt aka Tony.