Episode 374: GroundSchool Grind: Overcoming the Common Obstacles

All right, we're here with Erin from North Carolina. She's been here for a week. She's got an R44 back at home that she's just learning to fly in. We have three quick, simple questions on why is she here? So why did you choose to come to Hogs, Erin?

Well, like you said, I got a helicopter and I want to know how to fly it. It's just an overwhelming amount of information to learn, and without, like, a teacher, like, real guidance, it was tough for me. So I was watching your videos, I signed up for your emails, and I got an email saying you were, like, picking students. So I. Here I am.

Yep. So she called up and we said, yep. We had the help of Howser this month. What's been most challenging since starting of starting to fly to where you're at now? What's been the most challenging thing for you that's been so far in the R44?

The ground has been the toughest. That was the toughest part. Flying was easy and fun and exciting. But then, you know, I wasn't really doing the ground. And then when I realized how important it was, I got overwhelmed. So that. That was challenging.

Yep. So you came here working towards solo, and the experience has been you come for one on one instead of like at home. You have, of course, distractions, daily life, things going on, helicopter being used for other things. But here you could have. You had full seven days of all day, every day, as much as any of us could take between ground and flying. Right? Yeah. And so it was just a full submersive, like, and you've made great progress in a week. Right. Like, we know where you're. Where your ground at was in the beginning of the week. Typical where most people are. And now seven days later, I'm asking you questions out of my notebook and the private pilot study guide, and you're like, at 80% of what I'm asking where. I think you said in the beginning you'd consider yourself 40%, right?

Yeah.

And now you're 80 or above. So a lot has really come together for you just in a week by being immersed into it. Right. Like, it's just. It's really good for people to help make that progress. So what has been your highlight or highlights? What's been the most fun? Because we do training and it's laid back, but what's been the most fun?

Well, you know, I got to get the faux Hogs experience and we did get to go out to the. What is it? Rex's rendezvous.

Rex's rendezvous.

That was super fun. And then I did my first night flight that I loved.

Yes. You went out flying with Hauser at night. Yep.

And that was really good. I don't know, I mean, I just feel so much more ready. I'm more prepared. Like, I know, like you said, am 80%, you know, with the ground, which is huge. Like, when I go home, I have a direction. I know what to study. I'm not just like, well, I'll just read this page today.

And when you came here, like a lot of people, you're just going, I have all the books. But I don't know, like you, I don't know where to go. And through the HOGS videos. Now, you know, when you go home, you can keep going through the HOGS videos, but we've showed you all the tools, how to reference them, what's important about those books and how to access them. Right. And we at least have you a game plan now. You've got a more clear picture on where to go next once you get back home with your own aircraft.

Yeah.

And then we might see you again when you come back for your check ride later, right?

That's right.

You're going to go home and make progress with your local instructor when you can keep hitting the books, get your written test out of the way, because that's the problem. That always is the problem. Somebody's there, flying is progressing and the written test isn't done. So that's one big thing we harped on you this week was go home and focus on that written and get that thing out of the way. So then you can just focus on flying and practicing for the oral test, getting all the maneuvers down and take the checkride. You know something else fun is you're the first official. I'm going to be in with you guys in Vegas for the book signing. Right. The other night you went, what? I'm going to be there at the same time. And I'm like, well, I guess you're first. Our official, first official book signer. Signee, I don't know, person to show up for our event. Fan, fan. So November 11, Taz Christman and myself will be signing these. We're going to be at Air Smart at the North Las Vegas Airport. 3:30 to 6:30. Taz and I will be there signing books. I'll have maybe my top 10 checkride tips there as well. I mean, sorry, Private Pilot 101 as well. We'll put this down below, free PDF you can get now if you want or come to the event and we'll sign one for you. And fly with us in Vegas if you like. So we'll put the link for that down below and come see us in Vegas. Peace out.

When you feel the pressure to fly, but know the right decision is to stay on the ground, hit the Hogs no go and live to fly another day. Helicopterground.com say Hogs is the best ever.

Hogs is the best ever.