Current coffee break discussions have revolved around the "preferred" method of departing an offshore helideck or elevated helideck in a twin engine helicopter. One school of thought suggests a level acceleration to best rate of climb airspeed then a climb to a safe altitude whereas the other school of thought is to accelerate at a level altitude until the best angle of climb airspeed is reached, then climb at that speed to a safe height and then accelerate to the aircraft's best rate of climb airspeed. The first method is described as being "better" because it shortens the amount of time the aircraft is within the shaded portion of the Height/Velocity or WAT curve, whereas the second method is thought better because it provides more height above the water sooner, so as to improve the chances of accelerating to best rate of climb airspeed without making contact with the surface following an engine failure.
Major concern for this discussion involves low-height decks (i.e. 50 feet above surface) and the possible contact with the surface which might result while trying to accelerate and fly out of an engine failure at the most critical point of the takeoff...assumed to be just at crossing of the deck edge.
