My First Solo Jane Gregory

Keen to solo as soon as possible? Not Jane Gregory: she dreaded her first helicopter flight by herself

Interview by Yayeri van Baarsen

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The only female civilian pilot qualified on the AW109, when she’s finished her type rating Historic Helicopter’s Jane Gregory will also be the only female civilian Sea King pilot.

When: 2 July 2011

Where: Henstridge Airfield Aircraft: Schweizer 269 – G-RHCB

Hours at solo: 39

Hours now: 302

How did you get into aviation?

I’d often join my partner Andrew in his Jet Ranger, so it seemed a good idea to have some training as well. Just in case something would happen to him while flying, I could radio for help and crashland the helicopter. I took some lessons in Spain and although I had to give up on the radio due to the heavy Spanish accent, I got hooked on flying.

How did your flight training go?

I found the controls quite difficult. Strangely, when I started wearing gloves, which I do when horse riding, something clicked and it went much better.

I also remember trying to hover in front of a wooden post, with my instructor asking, “Why do you keep turning your head?” In show jumping, you always turn your head to look at the fence – learning to keep it straight while flying was very hard.

Did you look forward to soloing?

Not at all! Others wanted to solo as soon as possible, but I was happy to take as much time as needed. I was so worried about the change in performance.

My instructor was quite a large gentleman and without him, they said, the helicopter would go from a Mini to a Porsche. Once, when I thought it was solo time, I became more and more anxious until my instructor said: “Jane, relax! I’m not getting out. The winds are too strong.”

Having made such a big thing of it in my head, I was surprised that when it finally happened, I felt quite confident. There was so much to think of during that one circuit, I had no time to be nervous.

Does flying the Sea King bring any particular challenges?

No, actually not. First time in the simulator I was already quite impressed with how easy she was to fly. Also, in the Jet Ranger, you’re the only pilot, so everything – flying, navigation, radio – is down to you. In the Sea King, we have two pilots and a crew member. The crewman in the back talks me through the landing process exactly, which makes it much easier.

I’m honoured to be part of this team, the military approach means you can fly to a higher standard. The only challenge I can think of is that the Jet Ranger’s start list consists of about 20 things, whereas the Sea King’s has more like 200.

There was so much to think of during that one circuit, I had no time to be nervous

What’s it like being part of the team at Historic Helicopters?

Being around the engineers when they’re restoring helicopters is a phenomenal experience. They show me everything. Once, when the Sea King’s emergency lever needed testing, I actually got to pull it!

I also feel very privileged to be able to inspire the younger generation. When a Beaver Scouts group came here for their aviation badges, Andrew gave them a hangar tour while I walked up to the helicopter. Realising that I was a pilot, one of the girls shyly asked: “Could I do this as well later?” That’s exactly what I want to achieve.

Is there any other helicopter you’d like to fly?

Not really. Having the opportunity to fly the Sea King is amazing. I’m still training, so at the moment I don’t aspire to fly anything else. I’d absolutely love to land the Sea King on a ship though – that’s certainly on my wish list!

Horses are your other passion, how does riding compare to flying?

A horse has a mind of its own, whereas a helicopter hopefully only does what you want. However, there’s a great similarity in hand-foot-eye coordination. With both activities you’re using your arms, legs and eyes simultaneously. Other than that, they just don’t mix. That said, last year we briefly paused a show jumping competition when the Wessex and Whirlwind came in to land, and afterwards riders and pilots all met up in the bar together.

What do you love about flying most?

I love going flying on a sunny day, with blue skies and no clouds to get lost in.

Up there, away from the hustle and bustle, it’s just you and the helicopter, with the world floating by.

Read more about Historic Helicopters starting on page 40