When to graduate from training gear??

[paddy]

Hey everyone, im just wondering when the normal time to take your training skids off is?
In terms of my ability so far, i can do all sorts of hovering EXCEPT nose in, i can fly around a bit but not nose in, fly around myself tail in, landings are good and steady.
Cheers
Paddy

[Stuart]

Paddy,

I started to do small eights before learning nose in, you will find that when you take off the training gear that they heli will be more responsive so be ready. Its a new challenge to land on skids rather than four balls, but its nothing to be worried about just take your time and care.

There is an opinion that you should really master nose in before really taking to the sky's and I would have to agree with that too, but its sometimes hard to keep yourself from just wanting to hit the sky's NOT too high or far, believe me it can turn into a small dot quick, then your in trouble.

If your confident with your hovering, landing, small eights and know your exit/correction plan in the event the heli becomes nose in then go for it. If you have a BMFA examiner or experienced pilot I'd ask them to stand with your for the first few flights just to give you tips and suggestions on how to progess your flying too.

Good Luck

[magnumfuels]

Paddy - Gerr'em off!

Seems like you are ready! The trining gear is there to stop it tipping over. It won't help you hover this way or that. The criteria for removing training gear is whether you are confident enough and competent enough to land without tipping over. If you meet these criteria then remove them - be nervous the first time but enjoy the sense of achievement!

HTH

John