What the heck is going on?????
07-30-2007, 05:19 AM
#1
Gets Weekends Off
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Joined APC: Feb 2007
Position: Lav
Posts: 992
What the heck is going on?????
Just had a news helicopter go down right here in my hometown. They lost power over a lake and the pilot was able to auto rotate to a field and bring it down. NO INJURIES. Kudos to this pilot.
This has been a crazy week and a half or so for GA and copters. Prayers to all the lost, and all you others - stay safe!!
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcont....c6250837.html
This has been a crazy week and a half or so for GA and copters. Prayers to all the lost, and all you others - stay safe!!
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcont....c6250837.html
07-30-2007, 05:23 AM
#2
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jul 2007
Position: Left and Right of Whatever
Posts: 406
Yep, definitely NOT the best week for GA. That's three crashes that I know of in less than 5 days. First was the set of choppers mentioned in the article, second was a seaplane crash in the Willamette River, by the Seaplane pilot of the year I might add, and now this one.
Oh pilots, pilots....when are we going to learn that "maintain visual seperation" isn't a psychology term.
Oh pilots, pilots....when are we going to learn that "maintain visual seperation" isn't a psychology term.
07-30-2007, 01:08 PM
#7
Gets Weekends Off
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Here is the video footage from the helo as they lost power. You can hear the engine rpm just drop off. Looks like they just missed the lake. These guys are counting their blessings.....
http://www.dallasnews.com/video/dall...ml?nvid=162861
http://www.dallasnews.com/video/dall...ml?nvid=162861
07-31-2007, 04:48 AM
#9
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jul 2007
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Posts: 406
Assuming that the helo camera was pointing forward the entire time and the angle to the horizon was correct, these guys are lucky they aren't dead. WAY to much pitch up. Drop collective, Pitch for 52, and keep the Main rotor up all the way to the ground. Cushion with a little pop in the collective...mind the flashing red "LOW ROTOR RPM" light as that is a baaaaaaddd thing.
I suppose this goes to show how complacency and comfort in ones job can really hurt you, literally. If you don't practice these things, like autorotations on a consistent regualr basis, they WILL most likely kill you.
I suppose this goes to show how complacency and comfort in ones job can really hurt you, literally. If you don't practice these things, like autorotations on a consistent regualr basis, they WILL most likely kill you.
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