PPRuNe Forums - View Single Post - Maximum performance takeoff?
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Old 10th Apr 2011, 12:50
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OBX Lifeguard
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: North Carolina
Age: 75
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For my money takeoffs using minimum power come from the day when we flew very low powered aircraft and the difference between minimum power required and max available was tiny. That was also when we were taught "rejected takeoff" to back the helicopter back to the takeoff point if we began loosing rpm before we cleared obstacles. OH-13s and later UH-1B/D's that would only hover 6" high, if at all, were common. (Admittedly niceties like weight & balances were something we just didn't have time for .)

At airports using a runway, who cares, but in other environments getting up and away from obstacles is my priority. The typical helipad or scene landing is fraught with hazards seen and unseen, minimum power takeoffs are trolling for trouble ...
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