Gyrocoptor Experience!

On Saturday the 6th July 2013 I had a fantastic experience in a Gyrocopter! I got an hours flight as a Birthday present!

What exactly is a Gyrocopter I hear you ask? 

Well ....

It looks like a small helicopter without a canopy and without an engine turning the rotors. The rotors apparently self-propel due to the way the air flows through them.

I had kept my eye on the weather forecast all week and I was delighted when I woke up to bright blue skies and brilliant sunshine! Perfect flying conditions! 

We left our home town of Kendal at around about 9.30am for the 62 mile journey up to Kirkbride Airfield.  I didn't risk having any breakfast just in case it was a bumpy ride! I didn't want to see it again!

My flight was scheduled for 11am and we thought we had left in plenty of time – not counting on there being a diversion due to road works which added a substantial amount of time onto our journey! 

We breathed a sigh of relief when we got to the airfield with 10 minutes to spare and saw a sign directing us to the white control tower.  We headed towards it only to be stopped as a “Truck Show” was in progress and we got diverted (again!).  The only problem being the directions we were given didn’t take us where we wanted to be but after much trial and error we found our way and parked up at exactly 11 O Clock! 

After heaving a sigh of relief on making it we were informed that Chris, my pilot was still flying and would be about 20 minutes! 

Time to relax or time to rack up the nerves a bit more! 

I had travelled in shorts and a vest top as it was such a hot day but as the literature had said it was cold in the air even on a hot day I had brought extra layers consisting of trousers and a fleece top. I took the opportunity to layer up.  I’m not sure whether the sweat trickling down my forehead was from nerves or over-heating! There was a couple of Gyrocopters ready and waiting on the airfield and I did wonder if one of these had my name on it!

At around 11.30am Chris landed after having a flight with another student and met us enthusiastically.  

He then gave us a mini tour of the aircraft hangar and we were shown some of the original Gyrocopters as well as some of the most modern before getting geared up to go!  This involved a one-size-fits-all (it didn’t!) flying suit, along with a neck warmer, helmet and gloves, oh yes ... and a piece of rope to attach my camera to and hang around my neck so I couldn’t drop it over board!  

I was surprised to find that once we got out onto the airfield how windy it actually was – this made me more nervous – was I in for a thrilling bumping ride?! I was amazed to discover that very little grounds a gyrocopter, in the way of weather which is probably a good job in this corner of the world! However, purely for customer enjoyment they tend not to fly in high winds. They just don't want to have to clean up puke from the windscreen!

Chris gave me a safety briefing and explained the how’s and whereabouts of the controls.  I was slightly alarmed to discover that although the aircraft had duel control there was in fact 3 things that I could only do being the front seat passenger! Yikes!  This made me apprehensive but I was reassured that he would talk me through it when the time came!  

We were soon strapped in and ready to go!  

It felt very strange having no canopy to come down over the top of me and I was completely open to the elements although there was a protective windscreen as well as my helmet visor to keep the bugs out! 

Chucks away! 

We trundled to the end of the run way before turning around and soon after picking up speed we were airborne! 

WOW! What an exhilarating experience. To have the sun shining on us and the wind buffering us I felt free and unrestricted and there was nothing at all to obscure the fantastic Lake District views. 

Chris had a very calming voice and manner and talked me through when I had to do my "bit" and directed me to the right knobs to twiddle! 

Not long after take off he invited me to take over the controls! After talking me through the controls I heard the intrepid words “you have control” - Yikes! 

I was really flying this wonderful machine on my own ... or was I?! 

At this point I was fairly relaxed and calm thinking “Chris has the controls in the back and has his hand on the stick just in case" when I felt 2 hands on my shoulders with the words “YOU are REALLY flying this!” The nerves then kicked in and the hand started to shake! 

We headed towards Bassenthwaite Lake with me following Chris’s directions, although I need to get my lefts and rights more secure in stressful situations!  

Once we were greeted by fabulous views of the lake and surrounding fells Chris took over the controls so I could take some ariel photography! 

Being unrestricted in the gyrocopter the panoramas are absolutely immense. The aircraft is slow enough and goes low enough to allow you to see what is happening in the world below, whilst at the same time providing a truly exhilarating experience. 

As we skimmed over the fells, we lowered our height to enable us to interact with the hikers below and waved at them – to be greeted with enthusiastic waves back. Once I had my fill of being a camera man woman I took back over the controls and we were all too soon heading back towards the airfield ! 

It was an incredible feeling I never wanted to end!

On the way back Chris took over the controls for a short while to demonstrate to me how safe a gyrocopter really is! As the engine is not connected to the rotors, it means that a Gyrocopter is not seriously affected if the engine should stop in flight, so to prove this to me Chris turned the engine low and I was amazed how slowly the aircraft lost height  and how it was still possible to guide it to land exactly where you want!  Just as we were (what felt like) inches off the ground Chris revved the engine back up and we were soon gaining height again and I was given back control! 

All too soon we had the airfield in our sight and it was time for me to hand over the controls for the final time!  We did several fly-pasts to enable my husband to get some good photographs before landing incredibly lightly on the run way! 

We then trundled back to the parking lot before I got to disembark and then derobe!

All in all a fantastic experience and one that I would love to do again!  If you have the opportunity to fly in a Gyrocopter I highly recommend you do!

I survived the eyelashes!

Whoops, I forgot to come back and tell you how I got on!!

I survived the experience  not really sure it was me though!  Click the link below to read about it!

My eyelash experience!

Party Time!

Feeling ever so slightly apprehensive today as I am going to get number 34 done on my list. Well actually I'm getting party lashes rather than eye lash extensions - not sure what the difference is but I'm sure it will be good as a starting point!

My main concern is I will look like I have 2 spiders attacking my eyes!

I will come back later with a photo of when I am glammed up and ready to party! If your really unlucky I might even include a "before" picture too!

Blood Donation Number 2

Well I braved it again - and gave blood tonight for the second time!

After an hours wait, I was eventually called through and had my iron levels tested.  Another 20 minutes wait followed before I was taken to the relaxing seats.  The very, very young nurse tried to locate a vein on my left arm and then decided to change to my right. I became slightly apprehensive when I was told my veins were very thin and the young nurse had to ask a colleague for advice on which vein to go for! However, I need not have worried she didn't hurt me at all and I was soon enjoying a cup of coffee and bourbon biscuits!

All in all not a bad experience - even with the long wait - a good excuse to sit in peace and quiet with my book people watching!

OH FFS ...

Nobody told me when I was setting up my blogs that it would only allow 20 separate tab pages!  Now I have to find a way to combine all my pages without losing all the information and the organised layout!  ARGHHHHHHHHH!

No longer a virgin...

Today I gave blood - I am no longer a blood donor virgin!

Another one ticked off the list!!

Read about my experience by clicking number 40 on the right hand side!

5 years to go and counting ...

Well, yesterday I turned 45 which means its 5 years until I hit the big 5 - 0!  Will I get through this bucket list in time? 


I will shortly be ticking off two of my things -  for my birthday I got a Segway Tour AND a go on the Longest Zip wire - in June!  Not long to wait!!  EEEKKKKKK it's exciting!


Anyone fancy volunteering to do any of the other things on my list with me?

Update!

How am I getting on?  Well film watching and book reading is moving along slowly but plenty time so not worried about that!!  My stopping biting my nails has been a non-starter, they are probably as bad as ever!  I really don't know how to succeed with this one!  Any ideas?

On a positive note I have ticked off number 4 on my list - just returned from a fab holiday in New York and whilst we were there I also managed to sneak a Tandem Ride in Central Park in, ticking off number 25 too!  We also did a Big Apple Helicopter Tour and I was convinced a Helicopter ride was on my list but sadly not! Nonetheless, a unforgettable experience to add to my memories!

Read about my New York Trip and Tandem Ride by clicking the tab in the right hand panel!

Not sure what to aim for next ...

Book review!

As mentioned previously I was asked to read and review a book, which I have!  If you would like to read my review you can here just click Book Review or product review.  I hope you enjoy my opinions!

First Product Review!!! Number 42 on my list!

The book I have been asked to review!

Last week I was contacted by Human Kinetics and asked if I would read and review a book on my Get Fit Get Active blog, so being game for anything I agreed.  I have never done any reviewing before so not sure how I will go about this! I struggled with the first element of this new venture - downloading the e-book, however, after several failed attempts I succeeded! 

Once I have read and inwardly digested some of the advice AND put it into practise during my training I will keep you informed of my thoughts...

Wish me luck!

Why a Bucket List?

I have always been quite goal driven, but more so in the last few years.  Once I set my mind on a challenge I am usually determined to complete the task to the very best of my ability.  I have set myself quite a few fitness goals in the last year, and blogged about them on my other blog :http://fitlesley.blogspot.com/ so I thought I would extend this idea to other areas of my life to help me achieve my dreams.

My bucket list is a mixture of travel, fitness, extreme experiences and other personal goals which may seem insane to some readers (and my family), but now I have written them down, a lot more achievable to me! Some of the challenges will be fairly easy to accomplish such as giving blood, some will require me to save my pennies up such as going on the Orient Express, some will require specific training and determination, such as running a marathon whilst others such as white water rafting will be a challenge of nerve!

Now I have a plan for the next 5 years  -  writing what I would like to achieve gives me a focus and it will be thrilling to be able to tick them off one by one celebrating each achievement individually! 

Please leave comments, I'd love to hear from anyone who has completed any of these harebrained ideas!!!

I will try and keep this blog up-to-date so you can see how I am getting on...

Number 34 - Eyelash Extensions

On Saturday 22nd December 2012 I went for a pamper session at a local Hair and Beauty Salon. 

That evening I was going to a Christmas Party night with a group of friends and thought it was the ideal opportunity to spoil myself as well as ticking another thing off my list!

There was a variety of treatments you could choose from, and the offer I chose included three treatments.  I decided to opt for a hair "up do", party lashes and party make-up.

My appointment was for 3pm and I went feeling ever so slightly nervous.  For three reasons really. 

1. I had NEVER had a "up do" done at the hairdressers. 
2. I had never had eye lash extensions done 
3. I don't wear much make-up usually and was wondering whether I would end up looking like a "Boots" girl!

So my first port of call was the eyelashes!  Yikes!  I explained I had never had them before and that I was concerned about looking like a spider! She said in that case she would put the medium length ones on me rather than the long and then they wouldn't be too obvious!  I felt quite happy with this and she showed me the little clumps of lashes and explained to me how she would fix each individual little set to make a full set! I put my life (well my eyes) in her hands and tried to relax on the table.  I had to keep my eyes open but look down as she applied them.  As I wear contact lenses it doesn't bother me people poking around or being near my eyes and she did say that a lot of people flinch and move when they see a hand coming towards them and she wishes everyone lay as still and relaxed as me! It took about 20 minutes to complete and then it was time for the mirror ...
I nervously peered at myself and my first initial reaction was "OMG", I did look like a spider had attacked me. At this point I asked how long they lasted.  She explained that everyone was different some people lose them within 24 hours whilst other people can keep on on for a week or so.  I gulped and hoped to be within the 24 hours category! 

I was then taken to get my hair done.  I explained roughly what I wanted and sat whilst she worked miracles.  The longer I sat in front of the mirror the more I got used to my "spider eyes" - I looked so different it was strange!  

Hair done - time for make up! I pleaded with her not to "plaster" me up, I couldn't cope with that as well as the eyes!  She promised me a light look and I sat with trepidation as she transformed me.  I began to understand how they feel on make-over programmes like 10 years younger!!

Hey-ho I was soon set to go! I must admit once I had the rest of the make-up on, the eyes didn't look quite as spidery!

so I went from this ...





         to this ... 











I felt very "done up" but it was nice to go out feeling different!

Next morning I woke up and nearly died when I looked in the mirror! Without make-up on the eye lashes just looked ridiculous! I was pleased to see when I washed my face a couple of stray lashes plopping into the water! 

Later that day we took the dog for a walk, up a fell and it was very windy!  By the time I got home all my lashes had been blown away and I was back to the normal plain Jane little me! 

Will I do it again? I'm not too sure!  I'm not convinced the look was really me - perhaps if I could find some shorter less obvious ones I would!  Never say never!





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Number 1 - Fly a Glider!

On Saturday the 8th June 2013 I soared like a bird in a Glider!

For my Birthday I got a gift voucher for "an introduction to Gliding flight" with The Lakes Gliding Club based at Walney Airfield, near Barrow-in-Furness! 

The voucher had a one year validity but you are unable to book a flight in advance as it is determined by the weather.  You have to ring at 10am on the day you want to fly to check whether they are flying that day and to then book a time if they are.  I thought it might be difficult to get a flight when the weather was so nice, especially as they only fly Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays!  

So when I woke up and realised it was going to be a nice warm clear day I telephoned dead on 10am (to get in first) and was informed they were flying that day and that someone would ring me back in 10 minutes with a time. At about quarter past 10 someone phoned me back with a 12 O'clock time slot. Walney is about an hours drive from where we live in Kendal so this was perfect. We were told the airfield was securely locked and when we arrived at the gate we were to ring them and they would come and let us in!

We set off at around 10.45am to give plenty time for traffic and getting lost (however with Tom Tom with us we thought this unlikely).  The traffic was very light so we had no problems until we got closer then we became confused!  Tom Tom was trying to get us to turn left, but at this junction there was a road sign pointing straight on to the airfield! Had kids twisted the sign around for a laugh or was it really straight on? We decided to ignore Tom Tom and followed the signs!  We made the right decision and were soon arriving at the locked gates. I rang them and they said someone would soon be there to let us in.  Within a couple of minutes a car arrived and unlocked the gate, let us in then locked it again!  The man explained that we were to follow him to the car park but warned that our car insurance wouldn't be valid in this area so to keep our distance from him!  How to make someone nervous!

Once parked he took us to a bus that doubled up as a cafe, waiting room, office and aircraft communication point! I had to sign in and sign my life away, then I was introduced to my instructor Roger! 

I was told I would fly after another Gentleman who was already waiting for the glider to return from a flight.  By now it was 12 o clock and I realised it was going to be a late take off!  We settled down talking to all the staff who were exceptionally friendly and watching the general workings of what was going on!  There were two lovely dogs who belonged to member's out flying who we fussed over too! 

 At around 12.30 one of the pilots announced he was going to the chippie and did anyone want anything.  My Husband David ordered chips but I didn't dare eat anything in case I saw it again at 2000 feet! 

When he returned about 15 minutes later I had to endure everyone around me scoffing fish and chips! With the delicious smell wafting past me I was suddenly starving but didn't dare risk more than a couple of pinched chips!

At the same time the chips arrived the other man went off on his flight so I was able to watch him taking off and then land! An hour and a half after my scheduled take off time it was my turn!

My nerves began to set in!  How on earth was this machine going stay in the air with 2 people in it and no engine?!!! YIKES!

I put on a fixed grin as I was put into my parachute pack (was this really necessary?!) and was instructed on how to pull the ripcord to open it if the occasion arose!  (this really wasn't helping the nerves!)

Next it was time to clamber into the Glider!  I got the front seat, and once I was securely strapped in Roger (the instructor) got into the back seat and the overhead canopy came down! 

Next ... safety information and how to evacuate if necessary! I was shown how to release all the straps in one go and how to open my canopy should I need to get 
out!  

It was slightly 
worrying that this was all my responsibility, especially as the canopy was in two halves.  His n hers, so if it came to it i might have been stuck in there all alone if I couldn't get it open!  Doesn't bare thinking about!

Once in the the aircraft there are a sequence of checks and operations to be completed. These are remembered by the use of the mnemonic CB-SIFT-CBE ( Controls, Ballast, Straps, Instruments, Flaps, Trim, Canopy, Brakes, Eventualities), this mnemonic can be clearly seen on the control panel for novice flyer's! I was asked for my weight (apparently if you are under a certain weight the glider has to be made up to the minimum by using ballast weights), then the remaining flight checks came next to ensure the glider was ready to take off and he explained very clearly exactly what he was checking and why and then it was time to Rock n Roll! 

It was a hot sunny day and once the canopy was down it became extremely warm inside - I began to sympathise with tomatoes kept in a greenhouse! However, once we got moving it wasn't too bad!

The glider was towed along the run way behind a tug plane, and after a bit of a bouncy start we were soon off the ground. There was a lot of beeping coming from a machine at this point and I did feel very anxious and was beginning to think I wasn't going to embrace the experience.  

 

Attached to the tug and ready to go!

This is the tug towing us to 2000 feet!

The tow-plane took us to the height and location he had been told! Once at 2000 feet and when he was happy with the location Roger released the tow-rope by pulling a lever.  The plane immediately veered off to the side and left us to glide!

Roger explained that we needed to find some "thermals" to get more height, which is air in the atmosphere that is rising and can lift the glider up with it.  He said the most successful way to find thermals was to follow birds (as they have been doing it all their lives!).  We headed towards some birds and we were soon going round and round and round, and up and up and up! Roger was flying the glider around in circles in the thermal and we were getting higher and higher all the time. I can only imagine but I felt I had a gentle glimpse of what it would feel like to be engulfed in a tornado!  I was beginning to feel queasy and was pleased I had resisted the fish and chips! Whilst we were circling there was a constant beeping noise which was slightly irritating!  Roger explained the beeping noise is one of the instruments - if it beeps faster and a higher pitch then the air around the glider is going UP, slower and lower pitch then the air is going DOWN.

With this thermal we actually got to 3000 feet (to get towed to this height is an extra £25 so I got a good deal!) and once we stopped circling we were soaring through the air!  It was so peaceful and relaxing just gliding through the air! 

It was a lovely clear day and the views were spectacular!  

Unfortunately the sun was so bright all my photos have the reflection of my knees in them! After I had finished taking photographs Roger asked me how I was feeling I stupidly replied "very relaxed" and he said "good you can fly it then!".  

My relaxed state soon vanished! 

He talked me through the controls and explained how they worked before getting me to manoeuvre left and right under his dual control.  Once I had done this with him he informed me I had control and I could feel he had let go of the steering lever!  He explained he would say "You have control" and whenever I replied "I have control" he would let me fly the aircraft.  Yikes! 2000 foot in the air and responsible for my own life and someone else's!  The steering lever was very sensitive to the touch and it didn't need much moving to change the gliders course!  There was a couple of panicky moments when I changed course rather sharply but Roger seemed remarkably calm as he took over the controls to correct me! 

Roger took the control back to glide us back to the airfield and he asked if I had enjoyed it.  I said "Yes, I didn't expect it to be so relaxing and smooth, I thought it would be more scary".  He didn't say anything but a couple of moments later we picked up a considerable amount of speed and we were heading nose down towards a field. The field very quickly got too close for my liking, I could see each blade of grass and I thought "OMG I'm going to die", then just as my heart got to its maximum speed we soared along the field and were back in the air.  Roger laughed and said "Still a relaxed and unscary flight then?"  I didn't know whether to laugh, cry or swear at him! If I could have turned around I would have hit him! 

We then turned and headed back sedately to the airfield and came down very smoothly onto the run way.  We stopped almost immediately after landing - no cruising along the runway as you would expect!

Once the ground crew had opened the canopy for me I got to unclasp my safety harness and take my parachute pack off before clambering not so lady-like out the glider!  Everyone on the ground was asking what had happened when we had come so sharply down and they all thought it amusing that he had been trying to scare me.  I think my husband thought I was a gonna!

I had a fantastic experience and stayed in the air approaching 30 minutes.  Definitely good value for money especially since the cost of the trail flight includes 3 months membership of the club during that time I can return to fly again at reduced members rates.  I might just do that!

The club members were all extremely friendly, jovial and informative and I would definitely recommend visiting The Lakes Gliding Club if you fancy this experience!

By the time we were escorted off and locked out the airfield it was 2.30pm and I had had nothing to eat all day so was starving! Its a good job I hadn't eaten or I might have puked when we were circling the thermals!  I don't have a very hardy stomach!

Anyhow within 10 minutes we had found a McDonald's and my hunger was satisfied!

Once home I did notice on the information sheet sent it did say "don't use a satnav to find us as following our postcode will take you to the wrong place!".  

Perhaps I need to start reading things in advance in future!

A very enjoyable and entertaining experience!