1.1 seconds really is just a figure that allerts inexperienced drivers to the dangers of not getting the collective down in a hurry.
The other mechanical problem that R22 pilots faced here in Australia for many months was the rolling off of the drive belts. Two R22's, in one day, were auto'd successfully to the ground due to belts failing............by the same pilot. A bad batch of manufactured belts were sent to Oz. I remember 6 cases of belts failing. If you smell rubber whilst flying......land, as with fuel starvation, it is an instant failure.
In practice, thankfully, you would be surprised at how fast you will react. The biggest reaction to an engine failure in a robbie (most helicopters) is in the yawing of the aircraft. Even coughing engines can scew an airframe up to 10-20 degrees. I remember booting in so much peddle that I actually yawed to the right. It was an unconscious knee jerk reaction, so to speak, but it was instantaneous and the collective followed as a result of the fright. The next reaction was the overspeeding RPM of the rotor system shortly thereafter as I was holding the collective on the stop.
Moral of the story is that you shouldn't stress too much as I truly beleive that your reactions (whilst being current) will kick in well before your alloted 1.1 seconds has even started.
Cheers
Last edited by rotorque; 11th July 2002 at 22:57.