SIGforum
Helicopter flying characteristics ?
January 31, 2018, 10:40 PM
David LeeHelicopter flying characteristics ?
I believe for 2 night, I've been seeing a flight of these, 12 or so, come in to land and, this evening take off. Last evening, a couple almost seemed to be doing a low level search. Two would hover for a extended period, 5 to 10 minutes prior to traveling north and I believe land. I am viewing them from 2 to 3 miles estimate. In lifting off tonight, again, 2 will hover in place about 1,000 to 2,000 feet estimate, for 5 to 10 minutes prior to low level, slow speed flight. If I am viewing helos, what is the purpose of the extended period of hover ?
January 31, 2018, 10:58 PM
sigmonkeyquote:
Originally posted by David Lee:...what is the purpose of the extended period of hover ?
To learn how to hover for extended periods of time.
In a hover you learn to override your "feelings and seat of the pants" tendencies and learn to relay and "trust" the instruments.
There will be many times a rotor winged pilot will encounter poor visibility, unpredictable winds and such, and the inputs that he may induce that can lead to a very bad and rapidly deteriorating situation.
Being able to quickly read, head and function in a totally instrument flight regime, may be the only thing from living or dying.
It only takes a single misunderstanding of your brain "thinking" it knows, before you make the last mistake.
Case in point.
Once upon a time...
-53 in hover to position and land next to an aircraft utilized for re-fuel source, prior to abort of a mission, and in a severe dusty environment where all visual reference was lost, except the ground member marshaling the -53 to a point where the refuel station was located(fuel bladder), and as the marshaller was moving backwards and away from the -53, the pilot of the -53 perceived that he was "moving rearward" and "corrected", resulting in his moving forward and impacting a fixed wing aircraft that was finishing refueling from the same station.
8 died. 4 injured. Lots of broken things.
Worst day ever.
"the meaning of life, is to give life meaning" ✡ Ani Yehudi אני יהודי Le'olam lo shuv לעולם לא עוד January 31, 2018, 11:04 PM
casLearning to use FLIR?
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January 31, 2018, 11:53 PM
LS1 GTOHelicopters don't fly, they beat the air into submission.
Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.
"If dogs don't go to Heaven, I want to go where they go" Will Rogers
The definition of the words we used, carry a meaning of their own...
February 01, 2018, 12:18 AM
sns3guppyNot enough information has been provided about location, altitude, etc. A number of reasons could be for what's described. A group of 12 helicopters, however, is not "learning to hover." They're a little past that point.
February 01, 2018, 12:28 AM
David Leequote:
Originally posted by sigmonkey:
quote:
Originally posted by David Lee:...what is the purpose of the extended period of hover ?
To learn how to hover for extended periods of time.
In a hover you learn to override your "feelings and seat of the pants" tendencies and learn to relay and "trust" the instruments.
There will be many times a rotor winged pilot will encounter poor visibility, unpredictable winds and such, and the inputs that he may induce that can lead to a very bad and rapidly deteriorating situation.
Being able to quickly read, head and function in a totally instrument flight regime, may be the only thing from living or dying.
It only takes a single misunderstanding of your brain "thinking" it knows, before you make the last mistake.
Case in point.
Once upon a time...
-53 in hover to position and land next to an aircraft utilized for re-fuel source, prior to abort of a mission, and in a severe dusty environment where all visual reference was lost, except the ground member marshaling the -53 to a point where the refuel station was located(fuel bladder), and as the marshaller was moving backwards and away from the -53, the pilot of the -53 perceived that he was "moving rearward" and "corrected", resulting in his moving forward and impacting a fixed wing aircraft that was finishing refueling from the same station.
8 died. 4 injured. Lots of broken things.
Worst day ever.
OK, I thought maybe it had something to do with engines, hydrolics or rotors. Thank you.
February 01, 2018, 12:29 AM
David Leequote:
Originally posted by sns3guppy:
Not enough information has been provided about location, altitude, etc. A number of reasons could be for what's described. A group of 12 helicopters, however, is not "learning to hover." They're a little past that point.
Location not needed. And thank you.
February 01, 2018, 05:24 AM
sns3guppyquote:
Originally posted by David Lee:
Location not needed. And thank you.
Actually, it is relevant. As a pilot, there was a reason I mentioned it.
Altitude and location are very important.
February 01, 2018, 09:20 AM
SgtGoldquote:
Originally posted by sigmonkey:
Once upon a time...
-53 in hover to position and land next to an aircraft utilized for re-fuel source, prior to abort of a mission, and in a severe dusty environment where all visual reference was lost, except the ground member marshaling the -53 to a point where the refuel station was located(fuel bladder), and as the marshaller was moving backwards and away from the -53, the pilot of the -53 perceived that he was "moving rearward" and "corrected", resulting in his moving forward and impacting a fixed wing aircraft that was finishing refueling from the same station.
8 died. 4 injured. Lots of broken things.
Worst day ever.
That accident had previously been reported as a grond taxi collision.
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February 01, 2018, 09:41 AM
cne32507 This horrific crash was caused by just what sigmonkey was explaining.
February 01, 2018, 10:05 AM
sigmonkeyquote:
Originally posted by sns3guppy:
Not enough information has been provided about location, altitude, etc. A number of reasons could be for what's described. A group of 12 helicopters, however, is not "learning to hover." They're a little past that point.
That was a joke.
"...what is the purpose of the extended period of hover ?"
"To learn how to hover for extended periods of time."
Sometimes ya just gotta let up a little, with that death grip, on the yoke.
You are pretty smart guy, and you have a wealth of knowledge and experience. I have worked with, served with and flown with good people like you.
Unlax and have some fun.
"the meaning of life, is to give life meaning" ✡ Ani Yehudi אני יהודי Le'olam lo shuv לעולם לא עוד February 01, 2018, 10:35 AM
slosigquote:
Originally posted by LS1 GTO:
Helicopters don't fly, they beat the air into submission.
Helicopters don’t fly, they are so ugly the earth repels them.
February 01, 2018, 11:09 AM
David LeeWish I had a pair of binocs as I dont know what kind of choppers they were. I have seen 5 Apaches just north of me last year and a few solo Apache. The ones hovering and 2 at a time low going north to land almost looked like they were scoping out the terraine.
February 01, 2018, 11:41 AM
bendablewhen an aircraft went missing in Arizona , we watched an Apache hover for over 25 minutes , then we got bored and went on our way
Safety, Situational Awareness and proficiency.
Neck Ties, Hats and ammo brass, Never ,ever touch'em w/o asking first