My flight in a Xenon

[TJMay]

Well, after many aborted attempts to get together, the man who flew me to Brewton in his Cirrus after my engine out went flyin late yesterday afternoon in his new Xenon.

My camera card was full so I only got one picture of his ship and none of the beaufiful City of Destin, Deston Harbor and the surrounding water. Maybe next time.

According to my understnding, his ship was one of the original 12 that were brought in assembled. It is extremely well appointed and looks to be well made with safety wire everywhere. He further equiped it with the latest in electronics and nav aids including a collision avoidance system that was awesome.

After a pre-flight and contact with Eglin for departure clearance, we taxied out to the threshold and began our prerotation. The rotor spun up quickly and with full throttle, we were off the ground in just a few seconds.

The Xenon is slightly lighter than my RAF and I could sense it (I think). WIth two adults and an almost full tank, we climbed at about 1100 feet per minute. I took the stick for a while (first time ever from the right seat) and liked the feel. It required substantial backstick pressure to keep S&L and the one-way trim did not help alleviate that at all.

It was also the first time I had ever flown with an active noise cancelling headset and it was wierd. I guess I could get used to it but my initial reaction was that I didn't like it.

We flew up and down the beach first heading west towards Ft. Walton Beach at a ground speed of about 35-40. When we turned around and headed back east towards Panama City, our ground speed was over 75 giving witness to the wind speed at 500 feet.

When we started back towards the airpoirt, I was sad that my hour was almost up. The wind was about 10 and a direct crosswind to the strip. The ship and the pilot handled that with ease and we taxied back to the hanger.

It was a wonderful experience and it is a beautiful machine. Can't wait to get back in my RAF and fly again.

Tommy

[Harry_S.]

That had to be real cool, Tommy.

How did you like all that roominess?!

I think I'd rather fly 'er from the right seat anyhow. Lookin' forward to my first fly in a "Z".


Cheers

[TJMay]

It was indeed roomier than our cabin and certainly nicer in terms of its appointments but not so much that I need to go out and spend many thousands for one.

But, I did learn something while flying in the right seat.

I've always flown with my right hand on the stick and my left on the throttle (ready for a quick throttle down adjustment). Since I'm right handed and the controls are set up for this, it just seemed natural.

I'm now thinking I will learn to fly with my left hand on the stick and my right on or near the center throttle leaving my right hand freeier to do other things.

What do you think?

Tommy

[troed@aon.at]

Nice report, Tx ! Why didn´t You put it in the XENON-thread above ?

Angelo

[ckurz7000]

[QUOTE=TJMay;I'm now thinking I will learn to fly with my left hand on the stick and my right on or near the center throttle leaving my right hand freeier to do other things.

What do you think?

Tommy[/QUOTE]

Tommy, I once was faced with the same decision. But believe me, it's a non-event. After about 5 minutes' flying with my left hand on the stick I didn't even notice that the other hand was doing the controlling. And I'm right handed, too.

Don't worry, just do it.

-- Chris.

[Gyro_Kai]

Hi,

I cannot second that, Chris.

I thought the same when taking photos with the right,........ until it got gusty.

Suddenly my reactions were beginner-like, too much to fast. I trained myself for several hours before I trusted my left as much as my right. Maybe not everyone is the same.

Kai.

[TJMay]

This doesn't have much to do with my first flight in a Xenon but the thread took off this way so here's my post.

After reading Chris' response above but before reading Kai's, I went flying.

Of the two hours in the air, I had the stick in my left hand for well over an hour and a half and after the first few minutes, it began to feel natural.

I didn't attempt to take off or land but flying around S&L with the stick in my left hand got gradually easier and I relaxed into it.

I'll contine to take off and land as I was trained for a while but I feel I have more latitude in my flying now that I can fly with either hand.

Tommy

[ckurz7000]

When I flew gliders I flew with my right hand on the stick. After switching to flying primarily power planes I flew with my left hand on the yoke or stick since the power quadrant was between the two seats. My CFI in those days was a very knowledgable person. He said that it would be a non-event if I just tell my brain to take over my left hand and transfer everything it knew about aircraft control from my right hand to my left hand. He actually made me say it out aloud as if I were talking to my brain as a third person. It was a bit embarrassing but I had no trouble flying left handed. None at all. I dont' know why, but maybe his making me say that out aloud to myself had something to do with it? Give it a try!

-- Chris.

[lanichol]

The 2.2 I have is mechanical FI, thus the original RAF throttle control was removed by the original owner. Greg B. move the throttle control to the center for training. We talked about using the left hand, but had flown FW with the left.

I learned to fly Ron M. gyro with my right hand. The next trip I flew in mine. As we were pre-rotating Ron looks over and says "Are you left handed?"
Did not even notice! But I did notice the gyro required more left stick on takeoff than I thought I was using with Ron's.

No sure why mine requires more left stick as Ron's is a 2.5 with an IVO and mine is an IVO. Ideas?

[Harry_S.]

Originally Posted by TJMay

I'm now thinking I will learn to fly with my left hand on the stick and my right on or near the center throttle leaving my right hand freeier to do other things.

What do you think?

Tommy

I think you will do just fine, in due time. A quick question...have you ever had FW time, say in a Cessna or a Cherokee?!

Some years ago, my initial training and flying was in Cubs and Champs...right hand stick and left hand throttle. My first experience with a control yoke and CL throttle was in a Cessna 170B and I can't recall any transition problems, but, I prefered the former.

My first experience with the wheel at the front than at the back was in a Piper Tri-Pacer and a Colt. No problem there except I wanted to drag the tail on my first landings and the checkout guy corrected me on that. That front wheel does make for easier TO and landings but I still prefer the wheel at the back.

I guess my point, Tommy, is past initial experiences will somewhat determine ones preferences but should not deter one from using/applying a new method.

I think you're doin' just fine. Continue, if you want, the practice of reversing the hands and I'm sure you'll be adept at either...but you'll probably prefer the RH stick bit.


Cheers

[Harry_S.]

Originally Posted by lanichol

No sure why mine requires more left stick as Ron's is a 2.5 with an IVO and mine is an IVO. Ideas?

Maybe you don't have as much preset roll trim in your crossbar as Ron had in his, being as he was flying dual most of the time in his machine?!


Cheers

[helipaddy]

Just be careful transitioning between "flying hands"
http://www.aaiu.ie/AAIUviewitem.asp?...g=ENG&loc=1280

[Dmorris]

I have always enjoyed giving first flights. I particularly enjoy giving rides to kids or anyone that have never flown. If anyone happens to find themselves in my neck of the woods and want to take a ride in a Xenon just let me know.

[TJMay]

Originally Posted by Harry_S.

I think you will do just fine, in due time. A quick question...have you ever had FW time, say in a Cessna or a Cherokee?!

Some years ago, my initial training and flying was in Cubs and Champs...right hand stick and left hand throttle. My first experience with a control yoke and CL throttle was in a Cessna 170B and I can't recall any transition problems, but, I prefered the former.

My first experience with the wheel at the front than at the back was in a Piper Tri-Pacer and a Colt. No problem there except I wanted to drag the tail on my first landings and the checkout guy corrected me on that. That front wheel does make for easier TO and landings but I still prefer the wheel at the back.

I guess my point, Tommy, is past initial experiences will somewhat determine ones preferences but should not deter one from using/applying a new method.

I think you're doin' just fine. Continue, if you want, the practice of reversing the hands and I'm sure you'll be adept at either...but you'll probably prefer the RH stick bit.


Cheers

Thanks Harry,

Having now flown with both hands and not sensing any signnificant diffference in my abilty to control the aircraft, I am much more confident letting go of the stick with my right hand, flying with my left and doing other things with my right.

I haven't yet attempted taking off or landing with the stick in my left hand yet but after a few more flights, I see it coming.

Tommy

[Dmorris]

Well I convinced my wife to go flying this evening before dark. This was the second time she has ever flown in a Gyro. The last time was in my first RAF many years ago. Tonight she loved it and said she had no idea what she had been missing and can't wait to go back. She has probably fown 750 to 1000 hours with me in fixed wing over the years but this is thefirst time I've ever really see her have fun. The other times it was simply transportation.

What a great night!