So I have a problem, and I need some help. Though really, I guess no one can really help, it's up to me to fix it.
But it hurts!
I have a nasty habit of clamping my hand down around that cyclic like my life depends on it. It mostly happened in the beginning, when I really didn't know what I was doing, and as I recall from fixed wing flying, it does happen on occasion, especially when you are new on a piece of equipment.
But now that I am solo, well it's back. And very painful the next day. So painful in fact that I am taking today off because I really don't think I can safely grip the cyclic today. Pretty pathetic.
I try to remind myself to loosen up, and sometimes I do actually relax...but a lot of the time....well, you should see my poor hand when I come back down.
I wont' even bother to mention that my feet also get pins and needles because I am keeping them in some sort of strange 'ready for action' pose...also not good.
So really, I guess all anyone can say is that I should try to relax, and that it will get better with experience and confidence. But it's a drag it's cutting into my training a bit.
Speaking of training.
Yesterday I did another hour or solo circuits, immediately followed by an hour of intro to slinging. Had a short line, and a 100lb engine block on the end, and learned hooking up, lifting off, and the reverse. It was pretty warm and there was basically NO wind..and the poor little machine was really struggling. But I got to practice many, many hookups, so that's good. I now completely understand why the wind is my friend. ;) After that I did a bit of practice landing on the 12'X 12' pad. I wont' say I'm great at that yet...that's for sure. But it's fun, and I can't wait to become competent...LOL
I guess today we were going to try slinging circuits, but it's a no wind day again today anyway, and t-storms forecast for most of the day, so maybe it's just saving my time by taking today off.
Oh, and I probably never mentioned that I actually have to drive almost 2 hours to get to training everyday, and same drive home. So for every few hours in the chopper I have to drive for almost 4 hours. Starting to tire me out a bit, I must admit. Plus, the air conditioning in my car is u/s...so it's so freaking hot on the way home. I'm tempted to buy a new car...but really..I'm just too cheap. Is it wrong that I'm happy enough with my shitty 1998 Dodge Neon? Cause I am. Guess I'm just not a fancy car kind of chick. Probably because I've been a poor pilot all these years. ;) Good thing it doesn't bother me to drive a shit box.\
Tomorrow I am also going to go to the second hand flight suit store and try to pick a few up. Flying in jeans in the little glass bubble is freaking HOT, and at least with a flight suit I can just wear a tank top and undies under it. I'm hoping to find a blue one and a green one. Not a big fan of the sand coloured ones....probably because beige is just NOT a slimming colour. LOL
And also, following that I have decided to get a helmet. It's actually a regulation of the school I'm going to..not sure why I'm allowed to get away with my plain old headset, but maybe I'm just special. ;) But since the government is going to pay, I figured I might as well. Plus, want ANR, my ears are getting worse by the day. I wish I was kidding. Anyway, this is the one I'm looking at. Alpha Eagle 900 And as much as I'd like it, no, I won't be getting the NVG assembly. ;) So any comments by owners or former owners on that one? Pros? Cons?
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4 comments:
Nice to get slinging early in the training, very good.
Antideathgrip-tip that I heard about is to take a pen or pencil and put it over your index- and ring-finger but under your long-finger perpendicular to the fingers ( or maybe it's the other way, under index - over long - under ring ). Gripping the cyclic with the pen will automatically make your deathgrip into a nice easy lifegrip or the pain will be great.
Have not tried it though, so maybe I remember it wrong, but it definately included a pen, fingers and cyclic. Good luck!
When it comes to helmets I've heard that Alpha makes good helmets. Go for it.
Good to know it's good to get at that early. Would have done more today, but apparently yesterday someone broke a wire to the hook, so that has to be repaired.
That tip sounds awesome, i can actually picture where the pen should go, and why it would be agony to deathgrip with that in place. I'll try that tomorrow, and see how it goes.
Today I practiced at least relaxing my had once I had hit translation...now if I could just relax in the hover... ;)
And good to hear that you've heard good things about the helmet, I'll get on ordering one in the next few days. :)
HI Dagny,
great to hear about your solo and your progress. I always find that closing my eyes and meditating helps me relax ;-)
There's a little tool that you can use though. Just before you lift off you say to yourself "today I'm going to focus on my cyclic hand. I'm going to relax it." Then you consciously look at your hand and wiggle it. You will find that as you fly your attention comes back to your hand and you just relax it. You can use the same technique for anything else that you want to focus on.
Great going.
Mike
Thanks for the tip Mike! I'll try that as well. I am thinking my poor feet need some attention as well, I have no idea why they kinda go numb..but I do know it's because I'm tensing something up.
By next week I will defeat this issue. I'm saying this now. (though subject to change ;) )
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