How do heli floats work?
I see heli's all the time outside my office window, and I see their floats packed like a life jacket on the skids. But how do they work?
1). I guess they are deplayed like a life jacket when the outside pressure (say the pressure when immursed in 1m of water) gets to a certain amount and they inflate?
2). How big do they get when fully inflated? I guess they must be fairly big to support the heli - but then do they block the doors stopping the crew/pax from escaping?
3). Do they allow the helicopter to float above the water, or sitting slightly below? It seems as though it might be top heavy with the engine placed so high, causing the heli to flip over in the water, but floating upside down?
4). In the in the whole scheme of things, how good usefull are floats?
5). Does anyone have any photos or video clips of any in action?
Many thanks,
G-ANDY