Yesterday saw me head to Airkix MK again, this time though I was going for my first private coaching session with Paul. I opted for Paul to be my coach as he's helped me alot at flight night, is a great instructor and is willing to help me reach my goal, what a great guy!
I reached MK an hour before my booked time and sat watching the live action on the TV screen, Steve was also teaching in the same session as Paul and I and he came and sorted out his student and explained he didn't know where Paul was. It didn't matter, I was happy watching for a while. Not long after though Paul came down from the wind tunnel, briefly sat down next to me then asked "Fancy a cup of Tea?", "That sounds like a great idea" I replied. At this point I thought we'd go to the coffee shop or something but was shocked when he said "Well if your going to be staff you may as well see the staff room" I felt honoured!
The kettle was on and tea was being made, marvelous tea it was too, we ended up talking about the instructor side of things and also what the plan was for the 10 minutes flight time I had booked. After much discussion we decided we'd do a little more back flying as this is still something that I'm not 100% at, try the sit fly positioning again carrying on from last weeks flight night and Paul also thought it would be good if I could be the instructor and correct his body position (he was going to put his body in the wrong position and I had to tell him what to do to correct it)
It was nearing flight time so it was time to gear up, Paul asked what I was going to do with my stuff and I said I'd put it in a locker, he reminded me that I'd have to pay £1, I wasn't worried though but then he offered me a box to put my stuff in and left it in the staff room for me! I grabbed as much of the stuff as I could remember that I needed for flying and put the rest in the box. My purple goggles were about to make their second appearance in the tunnel!
We tried to remember what colour grips I had last time to find the right size suit for me but neither of us could remember, so we guessed, the first one though was a little too tight for sit flying in and the only other one they had was a little large, it would have to do though (this was something I would regret later though!)
We headed up to the wind tunnel and as the group before were running slightly late we decided to run through the movements required for back fly. Trying to remember everything was going to be a nightmare!
When the other group had finished we headed into the staging area and put helmets, earplugs and goggles on. Steve and his student were going first as they had a few more minutes than me. Paul suggested back flying first, this was fine with me, I was to walk in, crouch to the net, get flying and try some turns - easier said than done! I walked in, fine, crouch = splat onto net, I really hadn't got the hang of that! I was fine getting lift, but then I would hit a wall and everything would go to pot, I really need to have more faith in my self in back fly. I was slightly frustrated as I had succeeded at this last week and now I wasn't so great at it again. Never mind, plenty more time to get to grips with it! Before I knew it the first 2 minutes were over and I was out of the tunnel watching the play back. Paul pointed out the good bits and the bad and I ended up not feeling quite so deflated about it.
Next up we were going to try the sit fly position. This had caused me a few problems last week, I seemed unable to keep my feet in one place and just to sit, I was trying to move my feet underneath me which is how I ended up kneeling on the net, I was determined this week though I wasn't going to do that. I stepped into the tunnel feeling determined, stood in the right place and watched for instructions. First things first arms, 90degrees at the elbow and a little less than 90degrees at the shoulder, palms flat. So far, so good. Now the bit I'd struggled with before, legs slightly apart bend the knees into a sitting position, chest forward, back back. I leant back slightly, throwing my chest forward and bent my knees, I could feel the wind on my back supporting me, I'd done it! The smile on my face must of said it all! Once I was in that position we tried a few stability movements, left hand on head, then back to neutral, right hand on head, then back to neutral, left hand again on head, then right hand on head too, a few little wobbles but nothing major! I was well chuffed!
We watched the play back again and Paul seemed pleased with the progress, much, much better than last weeks attempts.
The next 2 minutes were going to be interesting, I was to get into the sit fly position and to walk around the edge of the tunnel in that position, then change direction and go the other way. It was like being a crab (that's the best way I can think of describing it!) I stood in the doorway while Paul demonstrated to me what to do, then it was my go... I stepped in and rather than finding a nice place to get into the sit fly position I tried to do it just inside the door, it wasn't as successful, so I moved slightly and tried again. Now I had my position I had to try and move myself round the tunnel, little by little I got there, I did stand again at one point when I lost my balance. When I reached the exit door I turned around and went half way back the other way, then back to the middle of the tunnel. We were just going to do a few more things when time was up again. I was roasting when I left the tunnel!
More video playback - this is extremely helpful as I can see what I'm doing wrong and how to improve it for next time...
My next 2 minutes were something totally different, Paul was going to be the flyer and me the 'instructor' I was going to be in the tunnel stood to one side and he was going to fly while making deliberate mistakes and I had to correct them. I really enjoyed this exercise and it gave me a chance to put into practice what I had learnt from flying. Paul did some great stuff, putting his head low, I would point to my chin, chin up. He was flying towards the wall in front of him, I gave the hand signal to bend his legs a little. He also did flying into the wall behind him, side ways, and just lying on the net, maybe I'll make an instructor yet!
It was strange watching the playback of me telling Paul what to do, it's normally the other way round!
Back to sit fly for the last 2 minutes, tackling the forwards and backwards movements. Forwards no problems, it was similar to walking round the tunnel, backwards was just strange. To move forwards you push your chest forward more giving you more drive on your back to go backwards you have to throw your body forwards to get drive on your front to push you back. This seems totally un-natural and goes against pretty much everything you've been taught. We did this a few times though and if I recall correctly I did end up losing my balance at one point and ended up on the net! (this wasn't the first time in this whole session and I lost track of the number of times I kicked poor Paul - sorry Paul!) We did a few more stability moves, taking grips and then I went from a stand to belly fly. Not an easy transition but not bad for a first timer! It seemed a little strange being on my belly again, it's been a little while that's for sure!
That concluded my tunnel time and I had a great time and came away feeling rather pleased.
We were going to go into one of the team rooms and watch the play back again, but the system didn't want to work so we sat on the sofa and discussed the flight before going back downstairs.
There was more tea drinking in the staff room and discussions of becoming an instructor. When other members of staff came in you could see them wondering why I was there and then they would hear part of the conversation and they'd say "You want to become an instructor?" every time I smiled and said "Yes"
I finally left at a little before 9pm, a little later than normal but who cares!?! I'd had a great time and had had a taste of being an Airkix instructor... I want this more and more now!
Next flight is booked for before flight night next week... until then I will be flightless, but I have the gym to keep me busy!
x
Total Flight Time - 60 minutes
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