Comments on: Confined area operations

By: Helicopter Flights Melbourne

Helicopter Flights Melbourne — Thu, 07 Jul 2011 09:48:37 +0000

Good points well made guys. As an inexperienced pilot I do not have any extra to add but just want to say thanks for the invaluable info in this blog.
Cheers

By: grumpy

grumpy — Sat, 25 Jun 2011 17:49:02 +0000

The way I read the article, it was the paramedic, not the pilot, who was programing the GPS prior to the crash.

By: Dr. John

Dr. John — Sat, 25 Jun 2011 07:13:32 +0000

Tim: Excellent point. Objects disrupting smooth air dispersal, wind gusts or other sudden issues can cause serious non recoverable circumstances. Unplanned or unexpected issues are scary but there are things we can do to minimize the net results. We can’t change the laws of physics but we can do our very best to handle a threatening situation. Most fixed wing pilots forget the source of lift to a rotary system is greatly different than fixed wing. Close quarters only complicates that. I’ve seen some good maneuvers from very seasoned rotary pilots who deserve a serious attaboy or visit to the local therapist for even flying on of these concoctions. But, oh how we love ‘em! Thanks.
John.

By: sean c

sean c — Fri, 24 Jun 2011 17:35:05 +0000

There is no excuse for trying to do anything else but fly the aircraft when you are taking off or landing to a confined area. Any programming of avionics or any other action that takes your eyes off the obstacles, especially at a hover, is unacceptable. That kind of thing must be done either on the ground prior to takeoff, or in cruise flight at altitude. If something comes up unexpectedly at the moment that you are lifting off to hover and you have to re-enter a change of destination, either start off in that general direction and do it in cruise, or set it back down and do it on the ground. The extra couple of minutes it takes are inconsequential.

Multi-tasking is fine and good, as long as you are NOT hovering the aircraft into or out of a clearing or confined helipad at the time. The work load and the consequences are just too high in this situation, and flying the aircraft must always remain the SOLE task during this critical phase of flight.

By: pdxpilot

pdxpilot — Fri, 24 Jun 2011 14:18:05 +0000

Good points to keep in mind – always something to think about when flying a helicopter. Not like having a plane at 5,000 feet in trim so you can fly hands off.