Coachee's Checklist
Before setting off:
- Make sure you have your current, valid BHPA card on your person. The coach will want to see this and will reasonably refuse to coach you if you can't present it.
- Make sure you've got your 2m radio and a suitable mount so you can use it in the air. Try it out, do a hang test if you can. Some instruments can interfere with radios so try them out with everything switched on, you might need to try more than one location. Be careful the antena will not catch on lines during takeoff. In flight, you may need to be able to put both brakes in one hand while you transmit.
- Have your pilot task book and a pen. The coach won't carry this for you.
On the hill:
- Show your BHPA card to the coach.
- Agree a task before takeoff. Don't be afraid to ask for one. Remember, your coach might be getting to know you and might reasonably want to start with a smaller task.
- Agree a radio frequency and do a radio check. You need to be able to transmit while in the air, just to say you are going to execute your task. Your coach might have advice on radio setup. If worried, ask them to look it over.
- Remember, the coach might have their own goals for the day so may not spend all of it coaching. Do ask for a debrief though.
Generally:
- As a signed off BHPA club pilot (CP) you are now responsible for your own decisions in flight.
- You are advised to keep a log of your flights until you get where you want to (at least). You can buy pilot log books though a ruled notebook (or spreadsheet) will do just as well. When you ask for pilot rating sign off you may reasonably be asked to present this (e.g. as evidence of 50 flights). Really the minimum you need to record is:
- Hill or Tow flight
- Date/Time
- Duration
- Location
- Wing flown
You could also have:
- Max height AMSL/ATO
- XC distance
- Notes on conditions, tasks, events in flight
If you can log flights on an electronic device (phone/GPS) then this can help augment (not replace) your sign off evidence of task completion.