PPRuNe Forums - View Single Post - AS332L2 Ditching off Shetland: 23rd August 2013
Old 1st Sep 2013, 19:46
  #1052 (permalink)  
Lorimer
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
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high floats on a wasp meaning that you would be underwater with potentially a still spinning disc to emerge into....!
VP-F suggests in post 1012 that high level floats could mean a still rotating rotor.
I had the misfortune to enter the sea one very dark and wet night in my Wasp (long story) and can assure of two things.

Firstly the flotation was cunningly devised so that the pilot sat there with his (no women in those days!) mouth and nose just submerged, and secondly there is no chance whatsoever that a rotor is still turning. The splash ensures that the blades come to a very sudden halt and the engine (only one!) is doused instantly. Just as well we flew over the sea without doors!

And in the Royal Navy our ditching training in those days included night submersion, which after the usual variable rotation down to a depth of many feet was a considerable challenge, but was excellent training in case the worst should happen.

Last edited by Lorimer; 1st Sep 2013 at 19:50.
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