At lunch a few minutes ago....a very qualified 212 pilot, with lots of mountain and sling time in the Northwest part of the USA....suggested that a Bell 212 performs better on a downwind takeoff than into wind. The suggestion that the downwash from the rotor system misses the synch elevator as a result....and a bit of aft cyclic from a stationary hover actually results in a vertical climb in situations where the aircraft will not ascend when facing into the same wind.
Anyone else experience this or have an input that might be persuasive? This technique definitely is one of maximum finesse...thus the ham handed of us might not be qualified to expound upon the merits of the issue. Makes for an interesting proposition....kinda follows up on a previous thread where Nick Lappos noted the helicopter does not know it is in or out of wind....and the power for takeoff in either case is the same....
