Other Flying Articles
This section contains Helen's flying articles on anything other than helicopters. Here you'll find details of learning to fly, becoming a commercial pilot, and profiles of famous pilots (including famous helcioper pilots; they will go in there too). There is also a sections on aviation history, and some book reviews. And passengers haven't been forgotten, with a some articles on airline/holiday flying.
Again, this is a work in progress and new articles will constantly be added, so keep checking...
Which Flight Headsets Should You Buy
Comparing Some Different Types
Most people, when they learn to fly, start off by using the aircraft headsets belonging to the flying school or club. But eventually most pilots want to buy their own. There is the issue of hygiene when pilots’ headsets are shared, and many people have personal preferences too. But how does the new pilot decide which headset to buy?
Aviation RAdio Use When Flying to Large Airports
Radio Terminology for Private Pilots When Talking to ATC
When flying to a large airport it is essential to communicate with Air Traffic Control via the aircraft two-way radio. Small aircraft flown by private pilots can do this, but there are particular communication procedures that need to be followed. The pilot will need to phone the airport in advance, speak to ATC, and obtain permission to fly in. Then he follows something like the procedure below...
Aviation GPS or Sat Nav Systems
Which GPS Should You Buy?
Not so many years ago, GPS systems were looked down on, particularly by a number of aviation authorities. Good pilots, it was said, navigated the old way, using map and compass. But now GPS is almost universally used, often in conjunction with traditional ways of finding one’s route – it is still not a good idea for aviators to rely 1000% on GPS. So which is the best GPS? How have these systems moved on, and is a second-hand GPS a good buy? And can you use the same GPS or Sat Nav for flying that you use when driving or sailing? We take a look at some of the best solutions around.
Airsickness When Learning to Fly
What Flying Students Should do if Early Lessons Make Them Feel Sick
For most people, learning to fly light aircraft or helicopters is extremely enjoyable and exciting. But a significant minority of students suffer from airsickness during their early lessons, some even during their Trial Lesson. For some, it is only a mild problem which soon vanishes. But for others it is worse, to the extent that they think about giving up flying training, convinced they will never make it as pilots. This is rarely the case, and there are many things which can be done to improve the situation.
Buying a Trial Flying Lesson as a Gift
A Special Present for an Aviation Addict
Need an unusual present, or something for the person who has everything? What about buying him or her a gift voucher for a trial flying lesson, also called an air experience flight or demo flight (the names vary in different countries). Every year many people do this – for birthdays, Christmas, Valentine’s Day, as a thank you, or for some other special occasion. So how do you go about it?
Flying and Pilot Health
Are You Fit to Fly?
The decision of whether or not he is fit to fly requires careful thought by any pilot. In general, and illness raising doubts as to a pilot’s fitness should probably be enough reason to cancel a flight. It is always better to play safe.
Personal Locator Beacons or PLBs
Distress Radio Beacons for Pilots
Distress Radio Beacons, also known as Emergency Beacons, aid in the detection and location of people in distress. They are used in aircraft and boats, and sometimes by hikers. There are three distinct types of emergency beacons:
EPIRBs (emergency position-indicating radio bacons) signal maritime distress
ELTs (emergency locator transmitters) signal aircraft distress
PLBs (personal locator beacons) are for personal use by individuals who are away from access to the normal emergency services. They are used by sailors in small boats, private pilots, and increasingly by hikers.
This article will concentrate on the use of PLBs by private pilots.
Aviation Scholarships
Awards Available for Flying Training
The training to obtain a Private Pilot’s Licence is likely to cost around £7,000 in the UK at the present time, and the cost of getting a PPL goes up all the time. Few young people can afford that sort of money. However, there are some scholarships on offer. This article is mainly for those living and wishing to learn to fly in the UK, but some of the scholarships offered are also available to students from other countries.
Flying a Microlight/Ultralight
Cheap and Fun Small Aircraft Flying
Microlights – known as Ultralights in some countries – are small aircraft which can be great fun to fly. They are also a very inexpensive way of getting airborne. While the very early types had a reputation for being dangerous, these days microlight flying is as safe as any other form of aviation. So what exactly are microlights?
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PROFILE: Helen Krasner
Helen Krasner holds a Commercial Pilot's Licence and Instructor's Rating for helicopters. She worked as a helicopter instructor for several years, instructing for various flying schools on Robinson R22s and R44s. She has also flown a large number of other helicopter types, has a private pilot’s licence for aeroplanes, and has tried flying microlights, gliders, and balloons.
Helen has been writing professionally for many years and contributes regularly to a number of aviation publications. She was nominated for an Aerospace Journalist of the Year award in 2004, for an article about flying helicopters in Russia. She is also a former Newsletter Editor for the BWPA (British Women Pilots' Association).
HELEN'S BOOKS
Helen has written a number of books, both traditional print books and ebooks for the Kindle. Most are on flying, though not all. You can find details of all of them in the section on Helen’s Books . A link to how you can buy each book on Amazon UK is given with each book. If you are in the USA, or prefer to buy from US Amazon, then use the following links…
Print books
The Helicopter Pilot’s Companion: a Manual for Helicopter Enthusiasts
Flying Helicopters: a Companion to the PPL(H)
Midges, Maps & Muesli: an account of a 5,000 mile walk around the coast of Britain.
Kindle ebooks
Collected Articles from Flight Training News 2006-2011:
Learning to Fly Aeroplanes and Helicopters
Flying Aeroplanes and Helicopters: Beyond the PPL
All About Flying Helicopters
Helicopter Flying Instructor Experiences
Collected Rotary Flight Test Articles 2004 – 2011:
Flying Small Helicopters
Flying Popular Helicopters
Flying Historic Helicopters
Flying Unusual Helicopters
Helicopter Flight Instructor Course Diary
Your First Cat or Kitten: Choosing and Caring for a Feline Friend
Or you can find all of the above on Helen's Page on Amazon