Auto-inflate is something I've only seen in recent years on medium and up helicopters. Stymied by everyone except Leonardo insisting on some arbitrary low "arm" speed. All singles I've flown have an electric switch on the collective or mechanical switch, sometime both.
Tough call by the pilot - he could have alternatively just plunked it on the pad a-la-S92. Might have got away with nothing catastrophic either way. You pays your money and takes your chances. First hint of heroism is swimming back to the sinking helicopter, nothing before.
Last edited by malabo; 15th May 2017 at 22:41.