Helipad Approaches

[Jumping_Jack]

I am lucky enough to have an office that overlooks the 'H' at Air Cmd (:\) which gives me the opportunity to gaze out at the helos that pop in every now and then. Today we had a SAR Seaking (ZH 543 for the spotters out there :8) and an aircraft from Northolt. Other times we have the 'learners' and the occasional Gazelle. All appear to approach and land in their own way, no particular pattern or standardised approach. Is it totally down to the pilot how he/she approaches a helipad?

[Tourist]

Dependant on wind direction and strength, Civvy or military, single or multi engine, obstacles and avoids and of course pilot mood.:)

[Jumping_Jack]

Hmmm, understand that but today for instance the Seaking came in at 90 degrees to wind direction over the countryside then scooted sideways for a 100 yrds to face into wind. The Dauphin(?) did a straight into wind approach from some considerable distance over the buildings and main gate area. The Seaking driver appeared to be enjoying his flying rather more than 32 Sqn! :ok:

[Old-Duffer]

Does anybody out there remember the approach technique for landing in LZs at night, called the 'Seletar Helicopter Instrument Touchdown System' - known by the inevitable abbreviation: S.H.I.T.S.

This was long before NVGs and comprised IIRC coloured lights on poles set to display a heading and angle of approach (see all the lights in a row and 'Bob's your mother's brother').

Could be quite exciting at times!

Old Duffer

[ktk]

Sounds to me like someone has too much time on his hands!!;)

[[email protected]]

Jumping Jack, since it was me this morning and again this afternoon, I can answer that question. The HLS directory specifies all approaches and departures from/to the NW to avoid overflying all the blunties in Air Command and the rather nasty mast 50m East of the HLS. To land into wind (270/15) I approached crosswind and then slid the tail round as I approached the hover - a normal technique used in mountain flying and yes, I do enjoy my flying:)

[Trim Stab]

Rubbish.

The real reason that helicopter pilots fly entirely random approaches is that their eyeballs move independently in asynchronous resonance with cockpit vibration levels, modified by coriolis effect on the rotor doughnut.

any fule no that.

[[email protected]]

Double rubbish - helicopter pilots fly the way we do.....because we can:)

[Airborne Aircrew]

Double rubbish - helicopter pilots fly the way we do.....because we can

Triple rubbish. A lot of helicopter pilots fly that way because a crewman is telling them what to do... :E

[MG]

No, the crewman thinks he's controlling and the pilots aren't cruel enough to let him think otherwise! :):)

[[email protected]]

All I hear is la la la steady:)

[Jumping_Jack]

Thanks......always good to see you chaps.....:)

[[email protected]]

SO2 SAR-H taxis'r'us:):ok:

[Airborne Aircrew]

MG:

Ouch... :ouch:

:D

[charliegolf]

But the crewman at least knows what county 'steady' is in: can't be said for all pilots!:ok:

CG (Steady)

[cornish-stormrider]

pack that bloody banter in - in these times of misery it is verboten.
Cooler - three weeks.

And helo pole jockeys drive the way they do because they were unlicky enough to be selected for helicopters - something about being extremely resilient to vibration IIRC. I blame Ann Summers!

but still, my theory explains a lot.

[ShyTorque]

Trouble is, as time has gone by, the aircraft shake less and the pilots more so... :(

I still prefer the full speed flypast for a quick look, pull up to the vertical, followed by a roll off the top and a descending, turning quickstop onto the crewman's patter.

However, I did notice that some crewmen tended to patter in a very high pitched voice during the last bit..... ;)

[Occasional Aviator]

How about the famous "Forward forty descending... stand by for major correction..Steady!"

[charliegolf]

Forward forty descending

Or....

Baby Pilot:Crewman, your directions!
Crewman: Eh?
BP: Your directions.
CM: Roger, forward three miles, descending........ ?

CG

[sycamore]

O-D,actually it was the Seletar Helicopter Night Approach Pattern...You require 5 Gurkhas,2 with red torches,3 with white,/ red torches just above ground level,ie Gurkhas lying down,3 white torches held on the other 3 standing up, in a line 10 ,or 15 yds in front of reds,pointing torches up the approach path..however,I`ll agree it did give you the S.H.I.T.S when used in a jungle clearing...Also designed by J.Dowling was the `Belvedere` trooping hoist,using sandbags.....can be imagined if you listen /google Hoffnung,and `Paddy and the barrel of bricks`...