500ft? Our mil auths often used to read "transit not above 150ft agl."
A. Agincourt.....I don't think I'd be happy cruising downwind (or even into wind) at 100kt/50ft, so lets say Intermediate Pitch Setting with a 125 kt IAS approx (some cabs would give you 130kt)
1.Dowwind you had always just flown over and observed and had just behind you the terrain you would have for a forced landing if the donk stopped.
2. If the terrain just behind was ok when the donk stops;you're laughing;
3. Bang!..... Coordinated zoom climb to what height you can get at 60-70 kt (up to 300ft, if you got it going pronto,)
4. 180' turn or a/r into w/v.
5.Land, aiming for min fwd ground speed.
If, due to the nature of the terrain just passed you elected to continue and land downwind then a flare to height was still required to get the airspeed off before hitting the ground.
All this needed practice. We were given plenty. (one of our QHI's would initiate this exercise at max chat, 20-30ft downwind by chopping the throttle!! That was on a large grass airfield however and you knew it was coming......good fun though!)
I only had 1 engine failure in a Gazelle. Luckily it was into wind. (and conveniently at a 5 ft hover!)
Chuteless; spot on! I presume "GOG" is some reference to grey hair? (very little actually) Abbreviation search gave me;
"GOG: Gift of God"
Last edited by Bertie Thruster; 22nd April 2008 at 17:24.