Helicopters and Superyachts
Thread Starter
A footnote regarding the aerial tender for the MY Ilona, the AS355N VP-CLF; this craft tends to remain aboard the vessel and is accommodated below deck in a small 'hangar' which is accessed via a pneumatic lift which operates in much the same way as the aircraft elevators used on some aircraft carriers.
The AS355N VP-CLF on board the MY Ilona in Port Louis Marina, St. George's, Greneda on 30th December 2008 - with blades folded and ready to descend below deck
The AS355N VP-CLF on board the MY Ilona in Port Louis Marina, St. George's, Greneda on 30th December 2008 - with blades folded and ready to descend below deck
Thread Starter
A majestic national flagship to represent Britain on the world's seas came a step closer today
In a rare show of unity, both David Cameron and Ed Miliband have given the project their backing.
More
In a rare show of unity, both David Cameron and Ed Miliband have given the project their backing.
More
Ciao Sav,
Your pix of Ilona and VP-CLF seem to be a bit out of date now.
Good to see they got rid of the previous arrangement and its shortcomings.
Looks a bit tight and I hope the park brake works as advertised! Checking the TRGB oil level must be fun.
Your pix of Ilona and VP-CLF seem to be a bit out of date now.
Good to see they got rid of the previous arrangement and its shortcomings.
Looks a bit tight and I hope the park brake works as advertised! Checking the TRGB oil level must be fun.
Last edited by RVDT; 19th Jul 2012 at 17:10.
Thread Starter
9A+: Very nice! 
Another shot of the MY Eclipse (the world's largest superyacht) as well as her EC155, on page 1.
Its astonishing how popular Croatia has become over the past two decades - bravo!
Robin: It is a good idea to credit photos whenever possible .. especially when they are the property of such an esteemed member of the Rotorheads community - lol!
John: Can you please identify the vessel and location as she's not a ship that I am immediately able to place!
Another shot of the MY Eclipse (the world's largest superyacht) as well as her EC155, on page 1.
Its astonishing how popular Croatia has become over the past two decades - bravo!
Robin: It is a good idea to credit photos whenever possible .. especially when they are the property of such an esteemed member of the Rotorheads community - lol!
John: Can you please identify the vessel and location as she's not a ship that I am immediately able to place!
@Sav really appreciate your positive comment....
What we are missing is local regulations for out of airport
helicopter landing in accordance to best EU practice
Same day bit later....
What we are missing is local regulations for out of airport
helicopter landing in accordance to best EU practice
Same day bit later....
I took the shot from the walk up the hill at Portofino, back in 2008. Unfortunately another of the 11,000 photos that Apple was being paid to host until they shut down MobileMe in June 
Thread Starter
RVDT many thanks.
John, you've been to Italy, Bravo! Well, that makes you alright then!
Thone1: You will probably get a more sensible response from the learnéd RVDT but, for now, this is what I can offer:
To the best of my knowledge there is no prescribed limitation governing exposure to salt water environments - where for example a manufacturer stipulates that a craft may only spend "X" number of days at sea.
However, operators tend to employ a variety of responsive and preventative 'maintenance' measures in an effort to combat the effects of salt water corrosion. The primary responsive measure tends to be that of hosing the craft down with fresh water and of washing the engines (usually with a mixture of fresh water and detergent). The frequency of washing varies widely among operators with some religiously washing everything on a daily basis while others do so less frequently. To be fair to those who wash less frequently it does depend somewhat on circumstances. Some environments are more corrosive than others while the weather also plays its part as does the craft's tasking (there is less imperative to wash down if the craft has made a single sortie to the ship and is overnighting at a local airport for example).
Preventative measures may include spraying generous portions of the engine compartment and even components such as the swashplate and other areas with WD40 (or similar substance). In the 80's there was a product available in the form of engine exhaust blanks the inner surface of which was impregnated with some fluid (I don't recall what) which released a vapour into the engines and which (so it was advertised) offered a measure of protection against corrosion.
As you are doubtless aware .. salt builds up on pretty much everything when you are at sea and so another preventative measure is the use of comprehensive aircraft covers to protect against the accrual of salt.
But, as I say, there are others more qualified to comment on this subject.
I'll share one little secret with you though; when sourcing aircraft for my clients, I have in the past flatly refused to purchase those craft which have been 'at sea' as I just didn't have the confidence to be held liable for the potential effects of corrosion the signs of which may have escaped the pre-purchase inspection .. or were yet to manifest!
A yacht-borne EC135 wearing her protective covers
John, you've been to Italy, Bravo! Well, that makes you alright then!
Thone1: You will probably get a more sensible response from the learnéd RVDT but, for now, this is what I can offer:
To the best of my knowledge there is no prescribed limitation governing exposure to salt water environments - where for example a manufacturer stipulates that a craft may only spend "X" number of days at sea.
However, operators tend to employ a variety of responsive and preventative 'maintenance' measures in an effort to combat the effects of salt water corrosion. The primary responsive measure tends to be that of hosing the craft down with fresh water and of washing the engines (usually with a mixture of fresh water and detergent). The frequency of washing varies widely among operators with some religiously washing everything on a daily basis while others do so less frequently. To be fair to those who wash less frequently it does depend somewhat on circumstances. Some environments are more corrosive than others while the weather also plays its part as does the craft's tasking (there is less imperative to wash down if the craft has made a single sortie to the ship and is overnighting at a local airport for example).
Preventative measures may include spraying generous portions of the engine compartment and even components such as the swashplate and other areas with WD40 (or similar substance). In the 80's there was a product available in the form of engine exhaust blanks the inner surface of which was impregnated with some fluid (I don't recall what) which released a vapour into the engines and which (so it was advertised) offered a measure of protection against corrosion.
As you are doubtless aware .. salt builds up on pretty much everything when you are at sea and so another preventative measure is the use of comprehensive aircraft covers to protect against the accrual of salt.
But, as I say, there are others more qualified to comment on this subject.
I'll share one little secret with you though; when sourcing aircraft for my clients, I have in the past flatly refused to purchase those craft which have been 'at sea' as I just didn't have the confidence to be held liable for the potential effects of corrosion the signs of which may have escaped the pre-purchase inspection .. or were yet to manifest!
A yacht-borne EC135 wearing her protective covers
To the best of my knowledge there is no prescribed limitation governing exposure to salt water environments - where for example a manufacturer stipulates that a craft may only spend "X" number of days at sea.
skadi
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Whooh there cowboy. I didn’t take credit for that photo and all I did was post a picture that I downloaded back in Oct of 2008. It is a beautiful picture that most of us helo guys would dream of. Come on I see a thread on yachts and helos and I’m not going to post a cool pic you took and I don’t even know who the heck you are. Give me a damn break lol. Anyway thanks for the pics and keep it up.
Thone1,
On the particular model in the recent pictures, and no doubt others would be similar, there is a Corrosion and Erosion Control Guide (CECG) manual.
In addition some of the manufacturers have woken up to the fact that superyachts are a form of free advertising (envy, endorsement of the product etc etc blah blah).
Subsequently there are additional measures that can be optionally introduced at manufacture. ECD for instance offer complete internal painting of the frame with polyurethane before assembly as one example.
On the particular model in the recent pictures, and no doubt others would be similar, there is a Corrosion and Erosion Control Guide (CECG) manual.
In addition some of the manufacturers have woken up to the fact that superyachts are a form of free advertising (envy, endorsement of the product etc etc blah blah).
Subsequently there are additional measures that can be optionally introduced at manufacture. ECD for instance offer complete internal painting of the frame with polyurethane before assembly as one example.
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I spend a fair bit of time in Antibes, whose Marina is very popular for super yachts. They run a lot of yacht crew courses there. I've often toyed with the idea of gaining a yacht skipper rating. Then you could double up as yacht skipper and private jet pilot, haha. Let's not forget the Gulfstreams and Falcons need drivers too.
From what I hear from the yachties in Antibes, many of these boats are only used a few weeks a year.
From what I hear from the yachties in Antibes, many of these boats are only used a few weeks a year.
Last edited by Algol; 19th Sep 2012 at 05:13.
Thread Starter
Robin303: Not quite the response I would have chosen but there we are. If you enjoy yachts and helicopters then you might like to check out this gallery which was put together by Jeremy Parkin, owner of that great helicopter news site Helihub.
Thone1: Would you like to share some of the techniques you employ in your navy. I would be most interested to hear about it.
Algol: You might not be surprised to discover that over the years there have been a number of corporate jet and helicopter pilots who have acquired their Master Mariner's certificate and 'pilot' the yacht also!
Yes, many owners only utilise their craft for a couple of weeks a year. There are exceptions of course and among some of the 'bigger names' Roman Ambramovich, Paul Allen and Dennis Washington all tend to use their vessels more frequently. Some owners spend several months at sea each year - although these tend to be few in number.
Of those who use their yachts infrequently some choose to make their craft available for charter and this can sometimes add a couple of additional weeks utilisation each year.
Thone1: Would you like to share some of the techniques you employ in your navy. I would be most interested to hear about it.
Algol: You might not be surprised to discover that over the years there have been a number of corporate jet and helicopter pilots who have acquired their Master Mariner's certificate and 'pilot' the yacht also!
Yes, many owners only utilise their craft for a couple of weeks a year. There are exceptions of course and among some of the 'bigger names' Roman Ambramovich, Paul Allen and Dennis Washington all tend to use their vessels more frequently. Some owners spend several months at sea each year - although these tend to be few in number.
Of those who use their yachts infrequently some choose to make their craft available for charter and this can sometimes add a couple of additional weeks utilisation each year.
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@RVDT: Thanks for the info!
@Savoia: Without going into too much detail: Aircraft outside the hangar for no more than 24 hours (never pre-planned. No hangar - no park).
Regular wash down if parked inside a hangar. Engine washes, obviously.
Not too restrictive, but our helicopter was bulit for that sort of thing.
@Savoia: Without going into too much detail: Aircraft outside the hangar for no more than 24 hours (never pre-planned. No hangar - no park).
Regular wash down if parked inside a hangar. Engine washes, obviously.
Not too restrictive, but our helicopter was bulit for that sort of thing.
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Looking after "Budgie" onboard....!!
Nice to see all the photos! I will comment on a couple of things but can't give many details of who we are, where and when, due to the dreaded confidentiality agreement most of us Captains to have to sign. But simply:
We run an EC135T2 on a 72m with a fully rated heli-deck, including ground power transformer and a 15k litre tank refuelling system. We have no corrosion problems with the helicopter at this time. The blades are taken off on crossings across the "Atlantic" and stowed in purpose built long "blade racks" (with plenty of supports!) in dedicated storage lockers, then the whole "bird" is shrink wrapped before departure.
We use tons of WD40 to protect all moving exposed parts and have other waterproof "daily" covers that are used when ever the helicopter is not being used and we are at sea between long distance ports. We do flush the turbines out with inhibiting sprays and wash all salt off when any is spotted, virtually on a daily basis. We have no shortage of water onboard as we have water-makers onboard that can make 24 tons of water a day, every day!!
All exposed nut heads and threads have been covered in our own patented sticky "goo" by the engineer and pilot. We carry a full time pilot ( when the owner is onboard) who also acts as the honorary 4th engineer with the other 3 yachts engineers, and he is also responsible for helping us maintain the AV and IT systems onboard when not flying or resting. He is never bored!! We employ an extra person to "Co Pilot" and "mechanic" for us when we go "off piste" so to speak, a case in point that we have just spent 5 weeks in PNG flying virtually every day with no technicals and with zero no starts.
If you want to get into the business, owners are now hiring ([email protected]) and it can be rewarding if you get on the right program. Its never boring and always challenging. We have just done 650 hrs on the (new in 2010) airframe that we have, and are very pleased with it. Our next stop is the Philippines. Looking forward to it!!
We run an EC135T2 on a 72m with a fully rated heli-deck, including ground power transformer and a 15k litre tank refuelling system. We have no corrosion problems with the helicopter at this time. The blades are taken off on crossings across the "Atlantic" and stowed in purpose built long "blade racks" (with plenty of supports!) in dedicated storage lockers, then the whole "bird" is shrink wrapped before departure.
We use tons of WD40 to protect all moving exposed parts and have other waterproof "daily" covers that are used when ever the helicopter is not being used and we are at sea between long distance ports. We do flush the turbines out with inhibiting sprays and wash all salt off when any is spotted, virtually on a daily basis. We have no shortage of water onboard as we have water-makers onboard that can make 24 tons of water a day, every day!!
All exposed nut heads and threads have been covered in our own patented sticky "goo" by the engineer and pilot. We carry a full time pilot ( when the owner is onboard) who also acts as the honorary 4th engineer with the other 3 yachts engineers, and he is also responsible for helping us maintain the AV and IT systems onboard when not flying or resting. He is never bored!! We employ an extra person to "Co Pilot" and "mechanic" for us when we go "off piste" so to speak, a case in point that we have just spent 5 weeks in PNG flying virtually every day with no technicals and with zero no starts.
If you want to get into the business, owners are now hiring ([email protected]) and it can be rewarding if you get on the right program. Its never boring and always challenging. We have just done 650 hrs on the (new in 2010) airframe that we have, and are very pleased with it. Our next stop is the Philippines. Looking forward to it!!
Last edited by CaptainSAC; 20th Dec 2012 at 11:17.