212-here is a Sergei Sikorsky event on the subject:
1982 Hanover Airshow. Sergei hosts evening party in nearby rented barn. Invitees are limited to pilots in the show-any function. Dress is flight suits. Informal food and all sorts of alcohol-no shortage.
Discussion starts between German F-4 fighter pilot and German CH-53G helicopter pilots, who claim their task in flying a helicopter is far more demanding and the F-4 pilot likely couldn’t even hover a helicopter. Sergei enters the conversation, finds me and a serious bet is made, with me to give a ride to the F-4 pilot on the morrow, with 53G pilots along to witness. Sergei to be the judge.
0800 the next morning all appear with ( honest to God ) the F-4 guy in the same scotch smelling flight suit he had on the night before. The 53G guys are smiling and counting their winnings.
Took the F-4 pilot out to a nearby field which had trees along one side then a fence at 90 degrees to the tree line, and the ground cover was under a foot high. The F-4 pilot had good visual cues for translational movement.
Anyhow, long story short, with those geometric cues and some coaching re the controls from me, in 15-20 minutes the F-4 guy could hover in position or change his position. I’ve always thought it might have ( probably was? ) been the scotch, because this pilot was quite obviously still under the influence, so to speak. The 53G crew were not smiling!
Last edited by JohnDixson; 30th March 2025 at 14:17.