Is it a fact that a large number of chopper pilots suffer from bad backs.....ouch?
An aviation doc friend told me his theory:
Helicopters are not exactly aerodynamic machines and when the ball's in the middle it doesn't necessarily mean the thing's in balance ("a little bit more left pedal, Prune, please")
So there we are. Cruisin along, fd&h, ball bang in the middle and discussing the latest scandal - auto pilot on.
Now say the machine is slightly out of balance, not enough to be noticeable unless you're the company ace of the base. And instinctively the torso twists at the waist to compensate - the body knows - allegedly. A few hours/days/weeks of the situation and bingo - another candidate for the crutches earlier than planned.
Ergo - only the natural pilots amongst us are free from the problem - apart from the military jocks who don't have the time, and aren't paid to relax anyway - and the youngsters who can still abuse their bodies and get away with it.
What's a natural pilot, Doc?
