Can a Flight Simmer Hover a Real Helicopter?
Melbourne Heli recently teamed up with YouTuber and Helicopter Flight Sim enthusiast Matthew Crawford to put him through his paces hovering a Cabri G2. While Matthew had previously completed a trial flight with us a few years ago, he had no other real world helicopter flight experience.
Matthew impressed our instructor Rick by managing to hover quite comfortably on all three controls, completed a credible turn around the mast and nose, and was even flying some air transit profiles by the end of the flight.
Well done Matthew!
Above: Matthew Crawford at the controls of DGL.
Student News
A number of students hit impressive milestones this quarter.
First off was Angus who passed his PPL-H flight test. No stranger to the air, Angus has been flying fixed-wing for years up in the NT, but finally decided to come across to the dark side of rotary aviation. Gus has been a pleasure to teach, and the entire instructional team wish him safe flying and well wishes going forward.
A big congratulations to Darcy who returned to solo flight after some time off from flying. Likewise Brad, Tom and Jud also all took to the air for the first time in a helicopter alone, and have made great progress towards their respective aviation licensing goals. Well done to all.
For our licensed pilots, Steve obtained his R66 endorsement, and Al completed his single engine helicopter flight review and R44 endorsement recently. Well done to both on all the hard work, and safe flying as you enjoy the benefits your respective helicopters provide.
Above: A happy Gus immediately post his successful PPL flight test
Above: A happy Darcy back in the solo saddle. Ask him about his helicopter tattoo!
Below: And a big thumbs up from Jud after his first solo
Above: Brad in a solo hover at Rothwell Airfield
Below: Tom with a big smile after his first solo (and proof that Air Traffic Controllers are actually quite friendly)
Above: Al enjoying some R44 time ahead of his flight review
Staff and Graduate News
Teague Mimmo has recently joined Melbourne Heli as our newest line pilot, having recently completed his CPL-H with us. Teague has already been busy flying scenics and helping the team out with a busy schedule. Welcome aboard Teague!
Above: Gray and new line pilot Teague
A big congratulations to Harry who recently hit the significant milestone of 1000 flight hours. Alongside his significant university workload, Harry has worked impressively hard as a line pilot and now instructor to reach this goal, and we all wish him well on this and future achievements. Well done HK!
G2 Carb Heat - Reminder & Update
Pilots will recall the advice in our last newsletter about selecting the Cabri G2 carb heat from AUTO to HOT when the power (MLI) is set to less than 60 percent, which will typically occur on descent (and instructors selecting HOT at least 10 seconds before autorotation training). This advice is still extant.
However, the latest advice from Guimbal is that pilots may return the carb heat from HOT to AUTO on descent through 300 feet AGL. This is to minimise possible low RRPM / over-pitching events noting the higher power setting with HOT selected.
If there’s any doubt about these required procedures, please don’t hesitate to raise them with our instructional team.
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Pilots are reminded to refresh themselves on communication failure procedures both in and out of controlled airspace. A recent ATSB incident report involving a PA-28 near RAAF Base Tindal highlights the critical importance of not entering controlled airspace after a radio failure in Class G.
In August last year the PA-28 lost both its radio and transponder making it effectively invisible to ATC. Despite this, the pilot dangerously continued toward controlled airspace and entered without clearance, contrary to relayed advice to remain outside or divert. The result was a near collision with two RAAF F-35s on approach, with separation reducing to just 72 metres laterally and 25 feet vertically.
The lesson is straightforward: if you lose communications in Class G / OCTA, stay clear of controlled airspace and land at the nearest suitable aerodrome.
(For revision on communication failures inside controlled airspace, be sure to check out CASA’s AvSafety webinar here.)
Are Your Maps Current?
A friendly reminder regarding the importance keeping your maps and charts up to date. Using old maps increases the risk of airspace infringements, incorrect frequencies, and procedural errors.
Aeronautical information changes regularly, and Airservices Australia publishes updates on a 28-day cycle, with maps updating every six-months. Each new map will have a different colour to help differentiate them apart, so it is immediately obvious to others when an outdated map is being used.
Be safe, and maintain your credibility around other pilots, by using up to date mapping and charts.
New Cabri Inbound
The Grand Cabri G5 has recently been announced as the next evolution from Hélicoptères Guimbal, building on the success of the Cabri G2 but moving into the light turbine category. It’s designed to offer greater performance, payload, and capability while retaining the safety and handling qualities the G2 is known for.
Expected features include a four-blade rotor system and Fenestron tail rotor, delivering low vibration, reduced noise, and improved control. With significantly more power than piston helicopters, the G5 should provide better hot-and-high performance, cruise speed, and operational flexibility.
Positioned as a multi-role aircraft, the G5 is aimed at advanced training, private operations, and light utility work. If it meets expectations, it could become a modern benchmark in the light single-engine turbine segment.
VH-AprilFoolsDay
Social media aficionados might have come across these posts. Usually if you have to explain a joke you’ve failed, but in the interests of clarifying we do not actually have a new aircraft and certainly won’t be sending out pre-solo students alone. Pilots are encouraged to keep their antennas finely tuned for all subsequent social media posts that land on 1 April.
Fly safe!