Trying to TAXI a Flexwing - Flying STRAIGHT and LEVEL Ex 5+6 -Sub70 Journey -

[@NatJB]

Takes me back to the early days of training. Good to see the progress through the lesson.

[@GolfFoxtrot22]

I bet its all flooding back Nat. I'm back up at DM as of Sunday, if you are about.

[@NatJB]

@@GolfFoxtrot22 I'm planning for Saturday as I'm out on Saturday night so wouldn't be flight fit on Sunday. I'm also planning the following week so we can catch up.

[@flexmaniac]

I'm with Michelle, the bar definitely helps taxiing 😁.

[@GolfFoxtrot22]

Shhhh Andy, your're not helping..haha. I hope you are well.

[@flexmaniac]

@@GolfFoxtrot22 Good thanks.. hope you are too!

[@InducedBank]

Oh I remember the fun of taxiing - at first it was like trying to pat your head with one hand and rub your tummy with the other exactly as you say 🤣 but it does come fairly quickly. I remember the 'straight and level' bit, which then seemed a bit irrelevant with all the turns, bean cans (ascending/descending turns), engine failure practice etc.... and then you have your licence and suddenly most flying is straight and level since that's what you need to do to get to places 🤣

[@GolfFoxtrot22]

When you look back at the Syllabus, you can see it all being pieced together. I hope it brought back some fun memories.

[@InducedBank]

@@GolfFoxtrot22 Absolutely! I'm loving watching this series 😁

[@johnmackay5288]

Enjoyawat h! You’re not alone Michelle I can assure you🤞

[@GolfFoxtrot22]

Hi John, I'll let Michelle know your comment is here.

[@TomGarner4505]

The challenges of learning, it reminds me of when I did my tailwheel endorsement and the aircraft seemed to have a mind of its own.

[@GolfFoxtrot22]

Dancing on those rudder pedals hey Tom.. 😂

[@DougBow96]

Excellent lesson, good job to the instructor and student👍 I like the TWAVE memory aid

[@GolfFoxtrot22]

Hi Doug, TWAVE is a great final check and mental prep before lining up.

[@DougBow96]

@@GolfFoxtrot22 Agreed, I use CIGARS but am always learning better ways. 😃

[@freebiker2765]

Michelle’s still smiling, Giles, which proves she’s a born flyer! We’ll done. And great article in this month’s MF, by the way. John

[@GolfFoxtrot22]

Hi John, it was good chatting with you and it seems the confidence boost has helped your flying, looking forward to the video. Michelle is definitely determined.

[@paulieb796]

I thought my cameo appearance was spectacular!! Really enjoying watching this series. Keep going Michelle it very soon all starts getting easier. 👍

[@GolfFoxtrot22]

I did notice you in the background Paul, smooth, very smooth.

[@stratotramp6243]

Felt hard in a 3-axis, Giles tells me it's even harder. Remember when I started - Flying ok... couldn't taxi. Scared to go too fast, but you need some power to turn. Not enough power you just end up oversteering and overcorrecting. One massive (slow) tank slipper all the way down the 700m strip 🤣 rest of flight and debrief really good. Thanks for sharing!

[@GolfFoxtrot22]

Smooth and progressive, tank slappers are dangerous on a trike with all the weight being up high. Michelle doesn't do KZbin but I'll have to get her to read some of the comments.

[@novemberwhisky132]

That’s a great video Giles! For some reason I hadn’t seen your videos for a while. It’s fantastic to see you instructing! I definitely want to follow this! Great job!

[@GolfFoxtrot22]

Hi November Whisky, welcome back to the comments section. I've only managed to vlog a few of her flights as she is struggling to get the time to fly and doesn't like the cold weather. I'm hoping I can make more this year as things start to warm up. I'm really enjoying teaching, it feels like a nice full circle now.

[@125brat]

Great videos, great instruction and tell Michelle to keep the faith and she'll get there. It took me 5 years to get my licence with medical, work, money issues and bad weather, but I got there in the end. I love my 912 Quantum but am about to start building my 600kg Nynja so will be going to the "Dark side" soon. My instructor tells me I need to take up line dancing so I can make my feet do what they're supposed to, and of course the pedals and houses-lever are the other way round 😱

[@GolfFoxtrot22]

Hi 125brat, yes, I'm trying to get Michelle to book back in the flying diary but she doesn't like the cold.. ;). Good luck with the 600 Nynja build. I'm sure you'll pick up the steering being different. It amazes people how much your feet do in a trike.

[@125brat]

@@GolfFoxtrot22 Hi, maybe if she tries it and can stand the cold she'll prefer the calmer days without getting thrown about when it's thermic. I'm getting there with the feet, but it's the take-off run in 3-axis that's the hairy bit at the moment, but it will come 😁 Of course you can steer a trike in flight to a limited amount with the nosewheel as well.

[@ShortField]

Great video Giles and really like your teaching methods.

[@GolfFoxtrot22]

Hi Terry, you might experience the Giles Teaching method one day ;) Lets get you out of the stuffy enclosed cockpit...haha.

[@paulwilliamson7441]

Nice one, and well done! Brings back some happy memories of trying to do that. 👍

[@GolfFoxtrot22]

Hi Paul, it's amazing how we look past the initial subtle skills of actually flying straight and level. Once learned, never forgotten.

[@ianimg1043]

Absolutely awesome well done Michelle. I start my journey tomorrow with my first lesson so these videos will be a good heads up for my learning. 🤔😁

[@GolfFoxtrot22]

All the best for your flying journey tomorrow Ian, fingers crossed for the weather. I'll let Michelle know your comment is here.

[@flyskiride]

Great stuff nice to see the progression 👍

[@GolfFoxtrot22]

Hi Lee, when are you back for lessons?

[@flyskiride]

@@GolfFoxtrot22 should have been up last Thursday, booked in 19th and 25th Oct and 2nd November. I seem to be unlucky with the weather 😢

[@Tommyflies]

Nice one 🤙

[@GolfFoxtrot22]

Woohoo, we have a comment from Tom Kubat. 🤙

[@FlyingDarkLord]

Loving this series! 👍🏼

[@GolfFoxtrot22]

Hello Kind sir, calling You Dark Lord, feels wired or like we are in a DnD game😁. I hope there are more fun and giggles to come.

[@FlyingDarkLord]

@@GolfFoxtrot22 DnD… is that still a thing? 😄 Showing our age! I’m Geoff if that makes things less weird! 😄👍🏼

[@GolfFoxtrot22]

@@FlyingDarkLord hi Geoff. How did the Dark Lord come about?

[@FlyingDarkLord]

@@GolfFoxtrot22 It’s a long & genuinely boring story! 😄 throw back to very old AOL email account. A bit tongue-in-cheek as it is in total contrast to my character 😊👍🏼

[@GolfFoxtrot22]

@@FlyingDarkLord good old AOL accounts.

[@alwatt9367]

You are a really good instructor Giles.. I think Michelle is screaming less hee hee all my best wishes to her.

[@GolfFoxtrot22]

HI Al, all in the editing...lol. I am really enjoying the journey and being able to help others on theirs is a brilliant feeling. I think the more Michelle is exposed to flying, while being in control, she'll get more comfortable.

[@alwatt9367]

@@GolfFoxtrot22 It must be wonderful to wake up and head for runways knowing you will be flying and training someone.. You are living the dream Giles thanks to you all for taking us along.

[@GolfFoxtrot22]

@@alwatt9367 it's a dream but ask me again in winter❄️❄️. The videos only show part of it but I am enjoying the change of direction.

[@alwatt9367]

@@GolfFoxtrot22 Know what you mean..I had a dream job of Broadcast TV Cameraman ......In summer all the office girls would say wish I had your job travelling about the World and nice hot summer locations.....In winter never heard them say that when told to go and get snow shots in a blizzard.

[@GolfFoxtrot22]

@@alwatt9367 ohhh you're a man of mystery. 🤔😉

[@flyingkub]

Taxing with a trike just puts me off as it is the other way to what I need to do with my Tail Dragger, I worry that I might get it wrong on one or the other. I do like your method with your hands over the learner to feel the pressure, people think straight and level is easy but it is all about small inputs early and antisipating and correcting at the right time (Not Easy).

[@GolfFoxtrot22]

Hi Algy, I thought I'd struggle going back to stick and rudder but it is surprisingly intuitive. By the end of the flight Michelle was all over keeping straight. There is a lot to cover in Ex 6 so genuinely takes a few lessons.

[@flyingkub]

@@GolfFoxtrot22 yes straight and level is complex and it takes time to build the skills to allow you to transit straight on altitude with thermals.

[@GolfFoxtrot22]

Yep, it's all in the art of teaching the fundamental skills. We give the students as much bar time as they can handle.

[@kevchilton908]

Great series Giles 👏👏 I’ll try not to mop you up as I fly for a local bimble out of tatenhill on an evening when you’re instructing 😆👍

[@GolfFoxtrot22]

Hi Kevin, haha, just wave as you zoom past. I'd still like to fly my Peabee into Tatenhill, just for giggles.

[@kevchilton908]

@@GolfFoxtrot22 I saw a lady pilot doing touch and go’s in a flexing at Tatenhill a couple of weeks ago. Most unusual to see!

[@GolfFoxtrot22]

Game on... I'll try and sneak in. 😉

[@DavidReckitt]

Very nice. Could be the hardest part to teach? Flying straight and level with subtle inputs….👍

[@GolfFoxtrot22]

Hi David, it certainly is but once attained its a skill for life.

[@blue_beephang-glider5417]

My opinion hasn't changed, the 2 seat flex-wings are heavy turning sensitive with pitch get pendulum and torque effects. I didn't like them. The sub 70s are delightful and well worth doing the penance of the two seat barge training. Stick with it Michelle the end is well worth it 😎👍

[@GolfFoxtrot22]

Hi Blue, did you see my previous video where I read out your comment?

[@Greg-z9v]

Hey Giles what flight training book are you using there on the table?

[@GolfFoxtrot22]

Hi Greg, welcome to the channel. It is the BMAA/CAA syllabus.

[@Greg-z9v]

@@GolfFoxtrot22 thanks I’ll look into it. I’ve been following you for years, so glad you’re an instructor now, and you look like a natural. Another question for you is how many hours did you gain before you decided to become a CFI?

[@GolfFoxtrot22]

Hi@@Greg-z9v , well it's good to see you in the comments section. I gained the minimum 100 hours P1 before attending my flexwing instructor course to get my FI(R) rating. Thank you for your kind words, I think I learn more from the students then they do from me and I'm so enjoying teaching people to fly and share the skies. I hope that answers your questions.

[@Greg-z9v]

@@GolfFoxtrot22 yes it does, my goal is to get my instructor rating as well, I have been an instructor in the past and I miss it, I believe I’ll do well. But I know I need to get a lot of hours under my belt to build the knowledge and skills. Cheers to you sir, I’ve enjoyed following your journey.

[@GolfFoxtrot22]

@@Greg-z9v if it gives you any assurance that sometimes having too much experience before going on the course can also be counter productive. There was a chap on my course who had over 650 hours on flexwing but had lost the fundamentals of how to do things. Drop me a comment or a DM through Instagram if I can help ( with my limited experience).

[@steelpix]

Question: When you're at your LZ and the breeze is crosswind to the runway, what do you do for takeoff?

[@GolfFoxtrot22]

Hi Ron, when at the airfield, the main consideration is the crosswind limit of the aircraft. Crosswinds aren't really an issue as very rarely is the wind down the runway so you just get used to taking off and landing with one. All aircraft have different crosswind techniques, the main one is to ensure you have sufficient speed before lifting off. This video kzbin.info/www/bejne/j56wZ4aCiNNpnaM was back in my early days of vlogging my journey and we were operating at the extreme limits of the aircraft. I hope that helps.

[@steelpix]

@@GolfFoxtrot22 Thx for the info. Normally we don't fly in large winds anyway.

[@scruffytech]

looks like she needs a cushion as the bar is almost face shield level. I would think that it would be exceedingly difficult to see that instrument panel.

[@GolfFoxtrot22]

The control bar on the Quantum is quite high and we had to push her forward already to reach the foot controls. The Camera angle ( not the best and will be changed in future videos) makes it look worse than it actually is.

[@scruffytech]

​@@GolfFoxtrot22 interesting, I'm flying an Airborne XT 912 with a S3 wing. I have longer legs (5'10") but I am having the Dickens trying to do the S-turns properly without seeing the instruments all the time. trying a cushion myself today.

[@GolfFoxtrot22]

I'll chat with Michelle and see if a booster cushion works and helps.

[@happee_meal8302]

This is the problem I had in the Quantum, you end up moving the bar out of the way to see the instruments with interesting results 🤣

[@GolfFoxtrot22]

@@happee_meal8302 so far Michelle has been able see the instruments in her current seating position. I think the side camera makes it looks worse than it actually is.

[@leifvejby8023]

Those things are nearly impossible to taxi. They steer the opposite way of what is natural - you push right foot, and they go to the left!

[@GolfFoxtrot22]

Hi Leif, I can relate to your point as I flew stick and rudder for 25 years, but if you think about it as pointing the wheel rather than a foot input, it is much more natural.

[@leifvejby8023]

@@GolfFoxtrot22 It shouldn't be that hard, but it is. I have had no problems at all going from weight shift to stick rudder and back, but not so turning opposite. I have had reflex, press right to turn right since I was driving my father's tractor at five - when it was muddy you had to brake one rear wheel to turn.

[@125brat]

That's the bit I'm finding the hardest going from flex to fixed. Flex steering is intuitive whilst the bar isn't, but the stick in 3-axis is instinctive whilst the pedals on the ground and in the air aren't.

[@GolfFoxtrot22]

It is a bit of conscious thought process. The main complication is on a flexwing trike, your feet do 3 things, steer brake and adjust power. In 3 axis, they just steer, or steer and brake but most have the brake on the control column.