Was flying the other day when one of the other companies in the area up here had one of their new R44 Raven II declare pan pan and put it down out in the bush. We had two other machines in the area at the time, and once we had checked he was ok, and a vehicle was on its was to pick up the passengers we continued. Found out that he had a major fore-aft oscilation, so bad that it marked the tailcone cover panel and the roof of the cabin. Very scary. This is the the third time it has happened in this machine apparently and the engineers have pulled it all apart each time, re-strobed, reshimmed, everything they can think of, and as far as i know still have not found the issue. Not a big confidence builder, the old 'Never seen that before.' The pilot is a high time mustering pilot, and did a good job, kept the pax calm (well, as calm as they can be). We have some major vibrations in our 44 (astro) , after a mag failure, had the new engine put in, with new engine mounts, (flogged out from the mag faliure, and just about life, changed 40 hours early) still had the vibration. Replaced the Xmsn mounts, and every thing is all good. Has to be the smoothest Astro up here now.
As for wind.... most we get up here is about 35 knots, but whoever designed the pad put it facing the complete opposite direction to the prevailing wind, so always tail in to wind landings (note, not termination, just landing) to get the pax out with out walking in to the tail rotor. If one of the junior guys is struggling a bit, we get him to land on the lawn facing the other way.
Most wind i have ever been in was 45 knots in Tasmania around the southwest. Not a pleasant place to be in a 44 in those conditions. very slow, low power trip home.
