More Helicopter Aerobatics

[kknudson]

Here's another video.

This is a stock version, with rigid rotors.

http://www.flixxy.com/helicopter-aerobatic-flight.htm

[Brian Carlton]

The gyroscopic forces developed when changing attitude of the main rotor are huge..........I'm amazed that such a machine can take that abuse and live to tell about it.

..........good flying skills, for sure..........

[t walgamuth]

Originally Posted by Brian Carlton

The gyroscopic forces developed when changing attitude of the main rotor are huge..........I'm amazed that such a machine can take that abuse and live to tell about it.

..........good flying skills, for sure..........

yeah, now that i understand the operaiton (vaguely) of the rotor hub and understand what happens if that fails on a copter, i tend to stick with fixed wing craft which (theoretically any way) can glide down if a problem occurrs.

i actually feel safest in a small plane with one or two engines in the hands of an experienced pilot.

i don't get airsick or seasick.

tom w

[Brian Carlton]

Originally Posted by t walgamuth

yeah, now that i understand the operaiton (vaguely) of the rotor hub and understand what happens if that fails on a copter, i tend to stick with fixed wing craft which (theoretically any way) can glide down if a problem occurrs.

i actually feel safest in a small plane with one or two engines in the hands of an experienced pilot.

i don't get airsick or seasick.

tom w

Ever spin a bicycle wheel as a kid while holding onto a shaft that sticks out of the hub?

You have a very difficult time moving the shaft 90 degrees due to the gyroscopic force from the wheel.

Now, multiply the force by 1,000,000 and you'll see what a helicopter main rotor shaft does to it's bearings every time the pilot does some of those 90 degree maneuvers.

[t walgamuth]

so i should have been scared?

tom w

[WVOtoGO]

Another fine tribute to modern rotor-wing technologies. Design. Materials. Control systems... The list goes on. ...

Also a good example for the other thread where we mentioned wars/military making such a positive contribution to the civilian aerospace industry.

Keep the forward airspeed down, and have a ball !!

Thanks for the show.


BTW - Tom - “asking for mercy” ???
You should have asked to put your hands on the controls. He probably would have let you try a few (simple) things. You’da loved that !!

Scared? Hell no.

[Brian Carlton]

Originally Posted by t walgamuth

so i should have been scared?

tom w

What he did with you on the flight is nothing compared to the video. I'm sure he never approached the limits of the machine. Now, the video is a completely different story. I don't think that helicopter has unlimited roll rates.........the pilot must "slowly" roll the machine to avoid overstressing the main rotor. It's far more dangerous than it looks.

[WVOtoGO]

Originally Posted by Brian Carlton

Ever spin a bicycle wheel as a kid while holding onto a shaft that sticks out of the hub?

You have a very difficult time moving the shaft 90 degrees due to the gyroscopic force from the wheel.

I’m sure you’ve probably seen/done this, but:

Next time you do that. Go down to the local hardware/home improvement store and pick up a turntable bearing plate for a “lazy Susan”. Stand on it while you’re doing as you described. Lots-o-fun. My kids got that lesson early on. Made explaining the helo-basics a lot easier.

[t walgamuth]

when i was working for general builders, about 30 years ago, we did a lot of work for mcdonald's restaurants. one day some of the big wigs flew into our place in a helio. it was a big thing that sat maybe six or so. while they were meeing with our big wigs the pilot came in and asked if anyone wanted a ride. i was the only taker.

i guess he figured i wouldn't complain being a young testosterone filled man.

first impression after only riding in fixed wing craft was as we rose up how many power lines there were to potentially hit. being right next door to the alcoa plant some of them were pretty big.

but we got up into the air just fine.

and we flew out to open country. and i was treated to some maneuvers that i had never imagined a heliocopter could do. he laid it over and banked it into a very tight turn a couple of times with me looking out the side and seeing that we were perpindicular to the ground. and then he put it about thirty feet above the interstate and flew pretty fast just there, having to climb up to go over the bridges.

i was impressed. i thought about asking for mercy but i figured he wouldn't kill himself so i just held on and enjoyed the ride.

after the intense stuff was over and we were flying back to the office i asked him some questions and found he was a vietnam vet flyer. i said ..."i guess any flying with nobody shooting at you must seem pretty safe". he smiled and said "yeah."

tom w