Many Auto's

Today I was back into auto's on the jet ranger. I have done quite a few already, but today we were testing out the various rotor rpm/airspeed combo's, to SEE the difference. And I must say, there is quite a bit.

First, normal. 100% rpm and 60mph. Now we had a spot to compare with.

Second, 100% rpm and 80mph. Went a bit further on that one.

Next, <90%rpm (horn going off the whole time) and 80mph. Holy crap, did we ever travel on that one. If I need to make a spot far away, I'll be using that one.

Then, enter auto just prior to spot, and using 100% and 60mph and lots of yanking and banking (well, S turns...LOL) and rpm controlled with collective during turns. Made the spot.

Finally, the one that initially scared the pants off me. The ZERO forward airspeed one. Enter auto over spot, collective down, and back on cyclic. Until you are no longer moving forward. I didn't like that much in the beginning. I have gone backwards in an airplane, but that was because there was an insane amount of wind at 3000' one day when I was in flight college. This is different. So yeah, got zero airspeed, and once the ground is around 400' away, nose down (and this was hard, because as a fixed wing pilot converting to rotary I have been training myself to pretty much NEVER push forward on the cyclic in any sort of forceful manner.) to gain airspeed, looking for 60, but you take what you can get. Then flare.

Anyway, that was today. Lots of that. For an hour.

I should have asked my instructor how I am doing. I really should have. But I hate to seem needy. I should not need someone to tell me if things are going well. (well, we all know I DO, but I dont' want to make a big deal out of it). But other than him telling me a few things I already knew (like watch rotor rpm like a freaking hawk when doing crazy ass S turns while performing an auto, I got that fixed on attempt number two. I should have nailed it on the first one...but I'll try to go easy on myself) he pretty much defaulted to the 'good job' option. I will just have to take his word for it.

My hand is still messed up. But better. I just have to take it easy, and not fly more than once a day right now, and for this week, only every other day. If I can't get it on the road to recovery, well then I'll be fucked. At least they understand that the whole situation is bumming me out completely, and all I want to do is fly. Hell, I'd fly 3 times a day if my hand would co operate. I know I can get it back to 100%...just a matter of when. And I can live with it as is...for now. I'd rather have it not cause me pain all the time for the rest of my life though, cause that would send me back to airplanes I figure....they don't hurt to fly. LOL. Not that I'd want to do that..I don't.

Anyway, life isn't coming to an end. I can still fly a helicopter. I seem to be able to think and fly simultaneously. Always a good combo. Back at it tomorrow if my hand is miraculously better, and Wednesday if not.

And soon I will have to hit the IFR books. Oh boy...it's been a while...I hope I still know how to fly on instruments.