'think like a bird'

sando · Post by **sando** » 23 Jan 2007, 16:04

Sorry if this is digging up a past topic but I'm reading a book about an Army pilot and his initial training on a Chippy, then the AOP 9. It's difficult to put down. I can recommend it as insight to the delights of flying Ricks beauty.
Author- Alex Kimble
Title - 'Think like a bird'

John

Post by **Trev Clark** » 24 Jan 2007, 09:34

Ah, my favourite aviation book!

I also have the follow up...The Unbridgeable Divide, this has a bit more 'emotional side' stuff but the flying elements are brilliantly written.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Unbridgeable-Di ... F8&s=books

Nigel H-J · Post by **Nigel H-J** » 24 Jan 2007, 10:38

Saw a documentary on TV long time ago about the army training helicopter pilots, all started on the Chippie with the RAF and then onto rotaries.

What I didn't know before was that they trained ordinary foot sloggers if they showed they had the aptitude to train. :shock:

Wish I'd known that when I was younger, would have asked for a transfer from the RAF to the Army and applied for flying duties instead of having to pay for it!! :sad:

Pringle · Post by **Pringle** » 24 Jan 2007, 11:15

Nigel H-J wrote:Wish I'd known that when I was younger, would have asked for a transfer from the RAF to the Army and applied for flying duties instead of having to pay for it!! :sad:

WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT?? :shock: :shock:

Nigel H-J · Post by **Nigel H-J** » 24 Jan 2007, 11:53

WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT??

I said "Wish I'd known that when I was younger, would have asked for a transfer from the RAF to the Army and applied for flying duties instead of having to pay for it"!!

VEGAS · Post by **VEGAS** » 24 Jan 2007, 11:55

Post by **Trev Clark** » 24 Jan 2007, 13:21

Wish I'd known that when I was younger, would have asked for a transfer from the RAF to the Army and applied for flying duties instead of having to pay for it!!

Strange thing is Nigel, I WAS accepted into the AAC as one of the first direct entrant applicants in 1974, at 16. You would do 2 years in the Junior Leaders of the RAC, and then join the AAC as a 'driver' with the promise of fast tracking into the Air Gunner, Observer or Pilot branch. Medics took too long giving me extra tests (you had to pass an aircrew medical first) and they thought I had a blood pressure problem, wrongly, soI missed that year's entry deadline :-({|= Whilst waiting the year, I joined the RAF!
We also had a loadie on 230 Sqn who left and transferred to the AAC for pilot training. He had to accept being a private for 6 months to do this though! Last I heard, he was a major.

Nigel H-J · Post by **Nigel H-J** » 24 Jan 2007, 19:27

Do you still have any regrets about the mis-diagnosis Trev or would that be classed as a stupid question?!

Still, on the other hand, it does not pay to wonder what might have been, just be thankful for what you have done/achieved so far!!

Post by **Trev Clark** » 26 Jan 2007, 09:21

Do you still have any regrets about the mis-diagnosis Trev or would that be classed as a stupid question?!

Technically, they were correct Nigel, it became evident that I had slightly high BP at Biggin Hill, three years later. The RAF excepted it, to this day it is exactly the same :think:
No, having seen that programme on AAC flying and reading this book, I am pretty sure I would have been washed out, then what a pongo, with my feet deep in the mud, no thanks!

Nigel H-J · Post by **Nigel H-J** » 26 Jan 2007, 09:37

No, having seen that programme on AAC flying and reading this book, I am pretty sure I would have been washed out, then what a pongo, with my feet deep in the mud, no thanks!

Probably right Trev, might have applied to me also if I had gone down that road. Learning to fly in your own time is one thing but........to do it whilst under pressure and to achieve the standards required in an allotted time scale is another!!