To: disstings
The HSS-1 (Navy version of S-58) was equipped with an Automatic Stabilization System, which had directional control, hover altitude control (barometric reference) Sonar hover hold (hydrostatic reference to depth of the sonar ball under the water)and attitude hold. After a few major incidents the pilots were told not to engage the ASE until they were airborne. They had several problems when the pilots had the system engaged and the ship changed course. The whole back end spun around trying to maintain heading.
A pitching an rolling deck would result in the ASE flying the disc as you described in your post.
[ 21 November 2001: Message edited by: Lu Zuckerman ]
[ 21 November 2001: Message edited by: Lu Zuckerman ]