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Old 29th Jan 2007, 21:04
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EX-PJ
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Back in the Sunshine State!
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In a past life, I had the experiance of dropping (pushing) many things from the rear of a number of USAF aircraft, although never a helicopter.

My 30 years of helicopter experiance, both in maintenance and flying tells me, with the horizontal CG of helicopters, without some drag chute attached to the airframe some place it would tumble uncontrollably. I would bet it would start to self distruct as soon as 130+kt wind grabs doors and cowlings.

I have witnessed steel doors ripped off their hinges that were really strong and secure.

As for the blades? GONE!

As I write this I am smiling, remembering all the stupid stuff I whitnessed 35 years ago in the Air Force. And survived!

My personal best was a multi million dollar fast deploy, temp control tower. The rigging failed and it lawn darted from about 800 feet into the dirt. It looked like a smear on the ground. No injuries. I am sure some officer cought hell for it and lost his job. Back then (Jimmy Carter ) the military realy sucked!
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