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Despite joining the Army Aviation, I underwent basic flying training with the Luftwaffe (German Air Force) in Fassberg - just north of Hanover - in 1973.
The training involved 60 hours on Bell 47 and 40 hours on Alouette II.
The most vivid memory is probably the time I spent in the dreaded Hover Square. Every student spends the first 10 hours in the square hovering back and forth, sideways and swaying madly, of course. This part of the training is make or break. The latter was true for some, unfortunately.
Once the swaying becomes manageable, the instructor leaves the cockpit and watches the solo proceedings of the fledgling pilot from a safe distance. Now the student pilot and the instructor are sweating.
From then on flying becomes more fun with practicing takeoffs and landings, and navigation exercises away from the “nest.”
Many thanks to my instructor Mr. Schneider.
Bell 47G
Powerplant:
Six cylinder 220 hp drives a two-bladed main and tail rotor and a stabilizer bar.
Performance:
A cruising speed of around 70 kt ((130 kmh) and a fuel consumption of about 55 l/h for an average range of 300 km.
Weight and dimensions:
Empty weight: 658 kg,
max takeoff weight: 1110 kg.
Rotor diameter: 10.75m, length: 9,63m, height: 2.83m
Bell 47G
The student pilot
