Lonewolf
No, as with just about all helicopters, 2500-3000ftpm is more realistic, to descend faster you would either need high angle of bank, or a temporary dive, and neither would give a straight cut.
High speed descents are a small arms fire procedure, so usually start approx 2000ft agl as that is the threat zone. There is no point whatsoever in starting the dirty dive at 10000ft agl. The dive can only go on for a little while in a helicopter before vmax at which point you are stabilised at a low rate of descent again.
I speak as one of the few( only ) people on here to fly both types of aircraft involved.
Last edited by Tourist; 11th Oct 2012 at 08:33.