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Old 31st Aug 2004, 01:36
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NickLappos
 
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: USA
Age: 75
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Canadian Rotorhead,

That was a 5 second turn for 360 degrees (with a middle part that was perhaps half again faster). That would average 70 degrees per second, and it was perhaps 100 degrees per second when going backwards (!!)

It was cool aviating to keep the cyclic proper so that the aircraft stayed level, since the wind azimuth was certainly rotating as fast as the aircraft (duh!). This meant that the pilot had to input cyclic into the wind as the aircraft yawed.

Having done quite a few rapid yaws in the Fantail aircraft back when we were competing for LHX/ Comanche, I got the hang of that trick, but the pilot of that Crane had one quick lesson and got it pretty much right.

I don't think the Crane was ever looped or rolled, but most other Sikorsky's have been. They might be big, but they are also quite maneuverable, with good control margins, mostly. Still, aerobatics in helos is best left for "Discovery Channel" films, since the margin for error is small, and the penalties are awesome.
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