This is Max Symons' final CFI Challenge and in the words of Neville, it is a "doozey!"

Some years ago, I was involved in a radar trial that needed a helicopter to hover in a fixed position at about 50 to 75 feet agl and slowly rotate through 360 degrees, and to repeat this manoeuvre twice more with a ten - minute break between each run.
The fixed position was because we had to adjust the aiming of the radar manually (in Azimuth, Elevation and Range) to keep it looking at the helicopter!
The ten-minute break between runs was to allow us to reset the recording apparatus in the radar we were testing.
They had to assign a very experienced pilot for these trials as the helicopter would be hovering in the "non-recoverable zone" - i.e. too high to avoid possible serious injury in the event of an engine failure, but too low for an auto-rotate landing.

Any time in October 2026, Shoreham (EGKA).

This year's CFI's challenge is to repeat this feat of airmanship at the club base at Shoreham (EGKA).

1. Take off from any of the helicopter pads to the south of Runway 06/24
2. Fly to the designated "Helicopter training area" (located just to the south-west of the centre of runway 13/31), descend to an altitude of approximately 75 feet agl, then with minimal positional movement (lateral or vertical) make a 360-degree horizontal rotation, aiming to take between 60 and 120 seconds to complete the rotation.
3. Leave the training area, climbing to a safe height, (and take a slight break!)
4. Return no less than ten minutes after leaving, and no longer than fifteen minutes, then repeat the hover and rotation exercise.
5. Again, leave the training area, climbing to a safe height, (and take a slight break!)
6. Return no less than ten minutes after leaving, and no longer than fifteen minutes, then repeat the hover and rotation exercise for a third and final time.
7. Finally return to the Helicopter pad and land.

For this challenge you may use any "single rotor" helicopter in your hanger. (I.e. you may not use a Chinook (or similar) or a tilt-rotor!)

Before starting, check the weather. In accordance with VATSIM rules the wind direction should be the same as real-world. This event is strictly VFR, so all other aspects of the weather should be adjusted to avoid the disappointment of being rained or fogged in.

This event should be fun for all, both pilots and controllers. If your enjoyment is impaired by "un-sportsmanlike" ATC, let someone know so senior club members can pass on your concerns.

If you get something wrong, such as entering controlled airspace without authority, learn from the experience and follow instructions - even if requested to 'disconnect'. Don't forget it is better to ask a club member or ATC when unsure rather than flying on causing confusion and mayhem!

Always be alert for live ATC when you are flying. If flying without air traffic control remember to announce your intentions on Unicom.

Take care not to let our TeamSpeak Chat cut across ATC. Stop any conversation immediately the R/T comes alive, and then continue if "he wasn't talking to us". This is difficult because when talking on TeamSpeak you cannot hear the R/T. So be aware that ATC might be trying to contact a member. If anyone hears R/T which appears to be ignored and it is a club member being called, on TS, say "ATC is calling XXXX/one of us". Then everyone stop talking until ATC calls again and makes contact. Remember that if ATC tells you "standby" It means "Wait, don't call me, I will come back to you as soon as I can." - Busy with a more urgent problem. LISTEN out for non-club traffic.

One star is awarded for departing from and returning to Shoreham (EGKA) in the same flight anytime in October 2026.

Shoreham airfield datasheet

Event Idea: Max Symons
Event planning: Max Symons
Briefing: Max Symons