LearningTOfly 0 #1 December 2, 2004 Okay, I've seen the videos (various) of the helicopters full of jumpers buzzing over the countryside at treetop level and a half for extended periods of time, while all on board are having a blast watching the foliage go whipping by. What's the deal with this? I'm sure that the pilots have two million hours flying, but is this not explicitly irresponsible behavior? If the engine were to give up the ghost at the right (or wrong) time, all on board now have a very good chance of becoming toast... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PhreeZone 20 #2 December 2, 2004 As long as the helicopter has enough airspeed or altitude the pilot can go into auto-rotation and land it with no issue. You are re3fering to the WFFC videos of Rod in any likelyhood. Thats a Twin Turbine Bell 412 There are two things that are needed to put a helicopter into autorotation, fast airspeed, or high enough altitude. There is a curve on a chart that shows just what the balence is and what is safe. If you are at 500 feet in a hover you have enough altitude, or if you are going 200 knts you have more then enoug airspeed no matter your altitude. Its only slightly more dangerous then riding in a Twin turbine airplane in my opinion.Yesterday is history And tomorrow is a mystery Parachutemanuals.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zenister 0 #3 December 2, 2004 last time i was at JRTC the CW3 that was ferrying us about found out i was a skydiver. Mostly because some of my coworkers told him he didnt have to land to let me out.. i'd be willing to jump... he bet me he could give me a ride that would make skydiving pale in comparison... (his female crew chief would have had better luck, but that is a different story ) he flew NOE literally inches above the tree tops, diving and popping up when necessary with us strapped in very nearly hanging outside of the chopper.... i still prefer skydiving, but to be able to do that all day everyday and get paid for it??? wow...____________________________________ Those who fail to learn from the past are simply Doomed. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LearningTOfly 0 #4 December 2, 2004 I figured a bit about the autorotation stuff... I'm a fixed wing guy, but have seen chopper pilots practicing thier forced landings and that. I have no doubt that with the speed those guys are carrying that they could put it down in a field no problem at all if need be. (As well, the twin and turbine parts probably add a bit to the integrity of the system (thanks for the specification)) But nonetheless, they are flying low and fast... which tends to be bit less forgiving than other configuations... so one slip on the pilot's part and I'm suddenly going to be very dissapointed with him, granted, not for long. It might be that all on board agree to the risk, and that's cool. If I have the oppourtunity one day, I'll probably take it just as quick as the next guy... I'm just wondering what people's thoughts on the matter are... (and what the FAA guru's say... I'm guessing that they turn a blind eye to this stuff) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ron 10 #5 December 2, 2004 Quotelast time i was at JRTC the CW3 that was ferrying us about found out i was a skydiver. Mostly because some of my coworkers told him he didnt have to land to let me out.. i'd be willing to jump... he bet me he could give me a ride that would make skydiving pale in comparison... Doing a Demo into the 82d's All American Week I had a UH-60 guy tell me the same thing. After quite a nice ride I told him that it was not bad, but skydiving was better. After a Tandem he agreed. But I got to ride with him several times, and I took my squad with me to "Practice" insertions."No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
