Great Experience and Story
John,
Great story, and tale of survival. I agree active controls are not a solution for all flight situations or system failure modes.
Specific to your story, mechanically linked controls probably saved the day. Even the CH-53K cyclic electric motors generate only about 50 lbs lateral or longitudinal force before their positions diverge and positions are averaged. I have no doubt you were honking more than that with both hands and adrenaline pumping.
FYI. The decision to go with mechanically linked side sticks on the 525 was made under Nicks watch at Bell.
Last edited by CTR; 24th Dec 2018 at 16:30.