At just under an hour long, this is one for the true aficionados! Every two years a UK Gyro pilot has to revalidate the specific machine rating of their licence. This can be done by undertaking a training flight with an instructor and providing evidence of sufficient flight experience during the previous 12 months, or alternatively by undergoing a revalidation flight test. This is basically the same as the General Flight Test (GFT) that you take on initial licence issue, and it's my most recent revalidation flight test, from January 2020, that's the subject of this video. From initial takeoff to final landing, it's included here in its entirety.
A few points to mention at the outset:
1. The radio 'squeals' die down after the first circuit; I think they were related to another aircraft in the circuit at that time.
2. This was a beautiful but very cold day in January, and some of my cameras experienced battery exhaustion towards the end of the flight. That's why the final section is filmed with the helmetmounted Garmin VIRB 360 only, as it is connected to ship's power, and why that section of the video loses engine sound.
3. I know my EFATO recovery was too brisk! I've learnt my lesson, and nothing was broken....
4. Special thanks to my instructor, Steve Pearce.
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