The most unusual/challenging landing site in the world?

[Heliport]

Is this the most unusual / challenging landing-pad in the world?

A 'catenary' landing-pad on Alcan's Kemano pipeline, Canada.

http://img78.photobucket.com/albums/v239/Rotorhead/Catenary_Pickup.jpg

The pad is 1/2 mile from the mountains on each side, and 700 feet in the air above an avalanche zone.
It's supported on three inch cables, a mile long, attached to the mountain by 15-21 rock anchors each.


Any Canadian Rotorheads landed there?



I've managed to track down the pilot in the photograph who's now registered as 'Canadian Rotorhead.'
See his posts below for a description of landing on the pad.

[slowrotor]

Flying down the Alcan highway near Haines Junction there is (or was) an aerial tram that stretched from the highway to the top of a nearby mountain some 3000 feet up. My brother will never forget the evasive turn I performed to avoid the almost unseen cable while cruising at 2500 ft agl.
We checked the sectional, "caution aerial tram" in fine print. I thought trams spanned rivers about 100 ft high or so and didn't give it much thought.I do now. (trams are not marked with orange balls)

[MBJ]

Bet you don't shut down there much!?

[moosp]

Last year a certain magazine published in the Southern hemisphere which may or may not write about helicopters and which we cannot mention here had an article about catenary work in New Zealand on power cables across a valley. Awesome photographs and the wind was blowing a hooligan.

[steve mitchell]

I heard the pad on the Burj Al Arab Hotel is a bit tricky.

[spinningwings]

For those who don't know Burj Al Arab Hotel is in the Emirate of Dubai United Arab Emirates......

:ok: :cool:

[Vfrpilotpb]

For the sake of us who will never land on a Thong type pad, could one of our more experienced rotorheads explain how this miniscule pad would be used:eek: :ooh:

[LordGrumpy]

On that 206 there are a good deal of skin ripples. Is that par for the course in an older machine?
A beaut photograph.

[Rotor1]

The ripples on the right hand fuslage are from nuckelheads throwing gear in the boot. Also torqe can couse rippling as well. The dents under the doors are from, you guessed it steelcap saftey boots.:ok:

[Heliport]

The circular helipad can be seen in Alan's photograph. It's a 24 metre (79 ft) pad that projects from the hotel 210m above ground.
The Burj is the tallest hotel in the world, only a couple of hundred feet shorter than the Empire State Building, built on an artificial island 200 metres off of the coast into the Arabian Sea.

http://www.g-t-n.de/Graphics/Specials/burjalarab/bau2.jpg

[Flying Lawyer]

A friend who's landed on the Burj al Arab helipad many times tells me .......

"The pad is 850'AMSL. Due to the +45C summer temperatures the DA can be 4,500'.
Typically, in the afternoon, due to sea breezes, the surface wind is 300/20. Because of the structure being shaped like a huge sail, the wind on the helipad can be 120/20.

It makes for a very tricky approach what with the size of the structure, the turbulence and the 180 degree shift in wind on the final stage!
After shutting down, the vertigo, as experienced by most high time helicopter pilots, can be very uncomfortable!"

[Robbo Jock]

With respect to the 'catenary' platform, you'd have thought that, having taken all the trouble to put the thing in place, they'd have made it a tad bigger!

As for the Burj Al Arab, what's the 'aerofoil' shaped structure on the left of AlanM's photo ?

[AlanM]

I believe it is the EXECUTIVE (as if being in the worlds only 6 star hotel wasn't enough) canteen. Or restaurant to the posh types!!

Saw a documentary on the place once whilst flying to Jo'burg. Simply stunning.

[Heliport]

I've managed to trace one of the three pilots who land at the catenary pad in Canada.

Click here (http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthread.php?postid=971751#post971751) to see the post by our newest member, Canadian Rotorhead on our 'Rotorheads Around the World' thread.


Heliport

[Canadian Rotorhead]

A bit more info on the pad. It is located in the centre of a mountain cirque (like the focal point on a satellite dish) Making for very difficult wind predictions. It was only safely possible to point towards the mountain, as the other direction dropped off for 4600 feet into the Kemano Valley making wind prediction nearly impossible.

Power was always kept on as you can imagine. The first lineman would slowly transfer his weight out of the aircraft. Next he would receive the emergency repelling gear (750 feet), then the other lineman would follow. During this few minutes, it would seem like an hour to me as I used the limited references and constant power changes to keep the JetRanger from applying too much weight or conversely, lifting off.

There were six conductors (267 Kv) fore and aft, with the two support cables rising to the left and right.

After the drop off, we were usually required to sling work gear such as hanging ladders or insulator glass into the platform.

I can tell you, they don't pay pilots enough for that kind of stress.

[John Eacott]

"After the drop off, we were usually required to sling work gear such as hanging ladders or insulator glass into the platform."

A landing sounded difficult enough, but slinging onto a platform like that? You have my full and undivided attention and respect :cool: :ok: :ok:

[Heliport]

That's quite a compliment coming from someone with your experience John.

[Canadian Rotorhead]

Thank you, but, for the most part, it was just part of the summer routine.

I have heard that in Norway or Switzerland that they have similar systems, but use cable trollies to access the work platforms. That was the original way they did it in Kemano until a malfunction in the cable winch system. My old boss, Dave, did the first Catenary landing (hover exiting linemen onto the bare cables, no pad yet) in the late 1970s. He slung the pad up and held it there while it was being bolted on. Now there's a man to tip your hat to. His friends call him Zoomin "mad dog" Newman

The powerline work was educational to say the least, and I am thankful for the experience, but I think the stress made my hair fall out. Yeah, that must be the reason :D

Glad that you enjoyed the photos, I have some unscanned, when I get the chance, they will get posted too.

CDN RH

[steve mitchell]

Damn ! I was told it was a 7 star hotel and the only one ! Now I see there are a couple more 7 star hotels on the internet.

[newswatcher]

Apologies for staying "off-thread" but Steve, if "tempted", look out for deals. Currently on teletext at £889 for 3 nights, including return air fare. Earlier this year you could do part Burj(1n), part Jumeirah Beach(6n) (also a great hotel), with a week at just under £1k! :ok:

[steve mitchell]

As long as it's not Al Jazeera Airways that sounds like a fab deal. Thanks !

[Canadian Rotorhead]

On that 206 there are a good deal of skin ripples. Is that par for the course in an older machine?

Many of the JetRangers I flew were converted 206A models which had a much lighter guage airframe. The right hand side of the machine is the compression side, so you will see wrinkles like that, under power, in rotorcraft with similar construction.


Rotor1

The ripples on the right hand fuslage are from nuckelheads throwing gear in the boot.

No, the baggage compartment has a kevlar liner to avoid that.

Also torqe can couse rippling as well.

Yeah.

The dents under the doors are from, you guessed it steelcap saftey boots.

What dents under the door? That machine was two weeks out of the paintshop when the shot was taken. You are looking at reflections in the white enduro paint.

CDN RH

[Nigel Osborn]

Having spent 6 years flying with Okanagan Helicopters, I always thought Canadians were mad. Now that I have read this post, I know they are!:O :ok:

[Thomas coupling]

I concur with that Nigel, having done a tour with the CAF, I know they are mad. Hauling down an S61 with a steel hawser and clamping it in steel jaws, while a landing platform the size of a wimpy 4th bedroom, moves +/- 30 degrees left to right or +/- 5 degrees fore and aft, at night in sea state 8 - is just plain mad.

These Canadians, they have NO FEAR:ooh: :ooh:

[Canadian Rotorhead]

I concur with that Nigel, having done a tour with the CAF, I know they are mad. Hauling down an S61 with a steel hawser and clamping it in steel jaws, while a landing platform the size of a wimpy 4th bedroom, moves +/- 30 degrees left to right or +/- 5 degrees fore and aft, at night in sea state 8 - is just plain mad.

Those poor Sea Kings get less wear and tear when they are in the air. There is no wonder that they have so many maintenance problems, beaten onto the deck, rolling around all day and immersed in the salt air 24/7.

Forty years from now, we'll have the same comments about whatever replaces her.

CDN RH

[LordGrumpy]

That probably more Ppruners and guests. Know about this catenary landing pad: than Canadians.

Canadian Rotorhead you have our admiration.
Are there any more photo's of this challenging landing site?

[Canadian Rotorhead]

Are there any more photo's of this challenging landing site?

Yes, I will try to get them scanned and posted somewhere, but right now, I have just unpacked the entire Jeppessen IFR trip kit for the USA and Western Canada. It's going to be a busy weekend sorting those and finding something to hold them together. Those leather binders are pretty expensive for the one trip.

Must be 15 Kg of paperwork alone. Getting very excited about the trip.

I'll try to find a few new pics before I leave.

CDN RH

[Canadian Rotorhead]

Sorry, I have been busy, so I haven't been able to dig up any more pictures. I recently flew a Sikorsky 61 to Vancouver from Maturin, Venezuela. Came home to massive hurricane damage leaving fifteen large trees bent over my back yard. Power is still not restored after six days. Internet at work is functioning, but I'll likely be seeing more darkness at home this evening.

My copilot during the ferry flight works full time in Qatar, according to him, the hotel helipad mentioned on this topic is used only for the police there and is closed to the public. Looks like fun though.

RH

[Steve76]

Hey!

I was chatting to Marnik at the fence in West Palm Beach when you were about to leave. SMALL world huh!

Actually saw you guys fly over the hotel on your departure.

Passed the IFR PPC, so it was a good evening in Florida. Hope your stay in Savannah was fun. They say those Savannah gals are quite nice......

Later.:}

[Canadian Rotorhead]

Hey Steve,

We went West from PBI, ended up in Tallahassee that night, Dallas the next night and a stop in KGCN (Grand Canyon) before the zigzag of MOAs going past Vegas north through Nevada to Reno, then up to Vancouver on the 17th.

Had an excellent Co-pilot and Engineer for the trip. Definitely will try to post some pics when we get power back to our hurricane riddled street.

Stopped in Roswell, NM and later paralleled the "Area 51" fenceline for quite a while enroute to Gallup NM from Dallas.

Marnik is doing his last few weeks as a CHL employee and will be trying to figure out what to do with all his spare time and cash now that he has crossed the fence from "the dark side". Pretty happy guy. We are really happy to have him.

As for those southern controllers, my call sign was a bit much for them. Canadian - Golf - Hotel - Julliet - Uniform was a bit much for them, when I asked my co-driver to confirm a strange takeoff clearance I heard " oh, for God's sake, will you just take off or get off the runway" Two minutes after takeoff, we heard "sorry guys, hot mike" from the same tower controller. The trip went pretty smooth after that. Too funny for words though. The closer to Canada, the better the controllers could handle the five letter call signs. Now they know how we feel with the N-numbers...

Contacting Victoria Terminal was music to my ears...

CDN RH

[Vfrpilotpb]

Did anyone see the abvert on the UK tv on Sunday the 9th of Nov, it showed the landing pad, with a heli about to lift off and then flew around the front(sea side) to show the restraunt/obs platform then flew away, the caption

"Do something new in your life"

In all a very spectacular ad! well done Sheik Mo:ok:

[md 600 driver]

went up there a couple of years ago[to veiw] when staying there, it gets windy up that height and the heat affects lift would not like to do it very often but i would like to try once
steve

[Flying Lawyer]

md 600

It's not just that it gets windy at that height.

In the afternoon sea breezes, the surface wind is typically 300/20. However, because the hotel is shaped like a huge sail, the wind on the helipad can be 120/20 - a 180 degree shift in wind on the final stage!
Add that to the size of the building and the turbulence and it makes for a very tricky approach.

Your're right about the heat. The pad is 850' amsl but the DA can be 4,500' in the +45C summer temperatures.


I'd love to be able to say this is all from personal experience, but the info comes from a Dubai based friend who lands there regularly.

Tudor

[Sandy Toad]

Wot he didn't mention the soaring updraught that can change to a plunging downdraught faster than a Bendix Fuel Control can respond!!! Or haven't we sent him up there in the J/R yet?

[Canadian Rotorhead]

http://www.basehelicopters.com/photos%20landing/catglacier-LA.jpg

[Dop]

Eeek!!!

If you saw something like that in a film, you'd think it had to be a special effect. You'd never believe that was doable for real!

[Vfrpilotpb]

I bet the old back door muscle twitches a little whilst nearly getting there!

[Canadian Rotorhead]

I didn't need a seatbelt with all the seat cushion sucked up there!

[Steve76]

Thanks for the reply CR,

Good to hear Marnik is fitting in well. I owe that lad an ale or 12....
Never know I might end up out that end of the island sooner rather than later. I am looking forward to doing some fishing!

Cheers,

Steve76

[ShyTorque]

CR,

Great picture and that is one huge spraybar!

But why are they spraying black liquid into the valley?

Oh, no....it's CHEMTRAILS!! :E

[imabell]

i have some more of the pads in irian jaya i'll dig them out.
some from png also.


http://www.bluetonguehelicopters.com.au/pprune/cliffface.jpg

:ooh:

[imabell]

irian jaya at 8000',
waiting for a ride


http://www.bluetonguehelicopters.com.au/pprune/helipad0001.jpg

irian jaya at 11000'

http://www.bluetonguehelicopters.com.au/pprune/helipad0005.jpg

onto the deck, fly river, png

http://www.bluetonguehelicopters.com.au/pprune/helipad0006.jpg

[Bravo73]

Aye carumba! How low is that barge???

Have you noticed how close the stinger is to the water? From the photo, it looks like the landing spot is at the same (or even a slightly lower) level than the water...

Or is this just par for the course in PNG?


B73


(Still no relation to BROVA99)

[vorticey]

would it look any a little higher if the shadow from the tail was in the bottom right corner of the picture?:E

[Bravo73]

Oh yeah. I guess it would...! :ouch:



***Crawls back into his corner in embarrassment...***

[imabell]

another bus stop in yemen.


http://www.bluetonguehelicopters.com.au/pprune/slav2.jpg

http://www.helicopterservice.com.au/photos/pprune/novemberpprune.jpg

[Canadian Rotorhead]

Good eye, Vorticey

The picture had me fooled too. Some amazing stuff we see on this forum.

CDN RH

[Rotor Driver]

None of them look as small as that time your first instructor said "you got it. Now land this thing anywhere on the airport!" Now that was threading a needle! LOL

[Vfrpilotpb]

I saw on the box last evening a new(to me that is) TV advert showing several aerial views of some old lady getting into a copter and taking off, what a spectacular ad!

I know this has been discussed before,
but that ad did impress moi!

But heres my technical question for you pro guys,

at that altitude you would need high power to come to a virtual crawl in a very high hover to line up and approach the platform, how quickly and what effect would the platform have on the heli, in that the platform suddenly becomes ground level and the heli is under major power input and very coarse pitch,

Or would you come into a much higher hover over the platform and then let down gently?

Vfr

[heedm]

Either is fine, if you have the power, although if the pad is small then coming into a high hover may make it difficult to maintain references.

I haven't flown to the pad you've mentioned, but landing on a pinnacle the size of your skids at 8,000ASL requires similiar technique.

If power is limited, I'll fly a nearly flat approach. Average power demand is higher than for a steep approach, but a steep approach may require a sudden spike in power that your helicopter can't provide. The mantra is "load up early".

The flat approach also helps with some of the illusions of mountain flying (false horizons, rate of closure, big hand, etc.)

I know some who advocate a steep approach with power limited. There definitely are merits to this. If you can't lose one or all engines and avoid the LZ then being closer to an autorotative profile makes sense.

When I fly the flat approach, I know my single engine fly away speed and commit myself to the LZ if I lose an engine below that speed and don't have room beneath to dive for speed.

Matthew.

[soupisgoodfood]

I heard the pad on the Burj Al Arab Hotel is a bit tricky.
Yeah, especially when there are people up their playing tennis:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v140/Rotorheads/burjtennis_4.jpg


Andre Agassi and Roger Federer on the world’s highest tennis court

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v140/Rotorheads/burj_agassi_wb.jpg


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v140/Rotorheads/burj_federer_wb.jpg


http://www.burj-al-arab.com/tennis/

[Heliport]

Tiger Woods on the pad
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v140/Rotorheads/Tiger_burj.jpg

[Canadian Rotorhead]

Here are a few new ones...

The 350 landing there makes the job look easy with the Jetranger.

CDN RH


Old Alcan footage
http://www.livinglandscapes.bc.ca/northwest/kitimat/transportation.html


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v239/Rotorhead/pic62.jpg


Brave Photographer and Great Aircraft Maintenance Engineer
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v239/Rotorhead/CIMG01951.jpg


Approach
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v239/Rotorhead/CIMG0275.jpg


On the pad
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v239/Rotorhead/CIMG0272.jpg


After Work
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v239/Rotorhead/Fishingcopperriver.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v239/Rotorhead/ChadandCraig.jpg

Home again
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v239/Rotorhead/Terracebase.jpg








http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v239/Rotorhead/Catenary_Pickup.jpg

The catenary at Powerline Pass, between Kemano and Kitimat, British Columbia is owned and maintained by Alcan aluminum of Canada. Myself and two other pilots (Dave Newman and Clint Sarver) were the only pilots trained to do so until I left the VFR side and pursued a less stressful life. Since that time, another pilot did a few lifts there using an Astar, not fun or very smart if you look at the size of the pad.


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v239/Rotorhead/Catenary_Pad.jpg

The Catenary system holds the powerline conductor above the valley floor below, replacing six towers previously wiped out by avalanches. The only way to inspect and service the insulators is to be dropped off by helicopter on the pad you see below and to the left of the machine.


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v239/Rotorhead/Catenary_lift_off.jpg

When I get a bit of time, I will post some more pics of that job. Very busy at home and work these days.
Bob Garnhum


Thanks for the prompt response Bob - and welcome to Rotorheads.

Heliport

[Canadian Rotorhead]

My friend Craig Kendall...

Photos thanks to Aircraft Maintenance Engineer, Chad Sallenback.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v239/Rotorhead/CIMG0275.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v239/Rotorhead/CIMG0272.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v239/Rotorhead/CIMG01951.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v239/Rotorhead/ChadandCraig.jpg


CDN RH

[Canadian Rotorhead]

Here is a video posted by Chad.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eZSep9lkfwQ"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eZSep9lkfwQ


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eZSep9lkfwQ

[Head Turner]

Very nicely flown approach and touchdown on that tiny elevated pad...if only I were that good.

[Fun Police]

what are the dimensions of the pad (aside from small)?

[rotor67]

Once you're on the pad, are you still pulling some pitch, not put the full weight on this suspended pad? Seems like you would, but was just curious.

Thanks in advance!
R91

[Canadian Rotorhead]

Once over the pad, we keep about 99% of the power needed. You only drop enough power to lightly "stick" to the pad. It is a very difficult thing to do as you are in the middle of a cirque, half a mile from the rocks in each direction and abot 720 feet above the surface below you which is around 4200 feet above sea level. As the linemen disembark or embark, we are very busy smoothly making correction for the weight shift.

If you look at the pictures, notice where the centre of gravity is (directly under the mast), if you were to lower the collective on either type, you would subsequently roll the aircraft backwards off of the pad between the two 267 kV circuits. Now wouldn't that be fun?

Ask a civil engineer about the definition of a Catenary. Not a design that you want to place an unnecessary gravitational force in the centre of. It works out to an exponential relationship.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catenary

CDN-RH

[rotor67]

Canadian RH,

I thought I was correct, but just wanted to be sure. Some tricky flying, I must say!

Keep the photo's coming everyone!

Cheers-
Rob

[Canadian Rotorhead]

Two weeks ago, a snow avalanche damaged an adjacent tower. They will be busy repairing that over the following weeks or months. I will attempt to post a few pictures.

CDN RH

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v239/Rotorhead/CIMG0215.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v239/Rotorhead/CIMG0209.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v239/Rotorhead/CIMG0205.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v239/Rotorhead/CIMG0193.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v239/Rotorhead/CIMG0199.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v239/Rotorhead/CIMG0202.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v239/Rotorhead/249_4933.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v239/Rotorhead/249_4930.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v239/Rotorhead/249_4938.jpg

It is going to be a very busy spot.

[Canadian Rotorhead]

I have had a few emails asking about the location.

If you have Google Earth... And you care...

"Catenary suspension system" lat=53.7078246313, lon=-128.081559612

Translates into 53 degrees 42' 36.40" North & 128 degrees 04' 56.60" West

CDN RH

[Super 61]

Great photo's CRH

[Canadian Rotorhead]

<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/eZSep9lkfwQ&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/eZSep9lkfwQ&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>

[Agaricus bisporus]

The only words that come to mind are "Half-crown, threepenny bit, dustbin lid!"

[Canadian Rotorhead]

What in the world could that possibly mean?:bored::bored::bored:

[bleepup]

Biscuit Tin NI, at night on goggles! If you have been there then you will know!:eek:

[Heliringer]

Bleepup,
Post a photo,

I'm a bush pilot in Australia and I've put it into some really dodgey places but that one that one Canunks land on is a cracker.

[bleepup]

Sorry i don't have one but i'm try and find out if somebody does.

[DTibbals53]

http://photos.flightaware.com/dropbox/retriever.rcl?id=cf7d94fe1f77fc509e5ac004c5b1c599f01a0f8a

[ChopperFAN]

I love this thread...very interesting

Good work guys :ok:

[Canadian Rotorhead]

Thanks,

It has been quiet for a while. Not certain as to why my profile only shows a few posts as I have contributed a lot over the years. New server reset my stats?

CDN RH

Edit: I see it has been fixed. Thank you.

[Heliport]

A warm welcome back Bob. :ok:
Some totals aren't accurate, probably because of server changes.


For new members -

It was a photograph of Canadian Rotorhead landing a B206 which prompted me to start this thread in 2003.
See first post.


H.

[Savoia]

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-I8BfQrV2h64/Tl4CmroszQI/AAAAAAAAEuI/x948JQYvpV4/utahdpsheels.jpg
A Utah Police AS350 B2 lands atop an outcrop of rock in Washington County during the rescue of an injured hiker

This landing was perfromed by Utah Police pilot Terry Mercer and herewith are some of his comments relating to the landing:

"I had looked at the pinnacle when I first got there, but decided the SAR team would be "ledged" out and have no access to the victim. As I dropped the rope team up high one of the first team members had hiked to the victim and then explored out to the pinnacle and sort of goat-hopped out to it, showing me that they could get on and off of the pinnacle."

"A quick visual of the pinnacle and I knew that it was safe, doable, and the closest site possible. It immediately changed the entire operation from a 1-1.5 day event to a 2-3 hr operation."

"I shut down on the pinnacle on the first landing to evaluate the footprint. The starts were the worst as the ac sort of shifted weight as the blades began to swing."

xHeCORxU_mI&feature=related

"It was on that third landing that I got sloppy and landed about 15 inches back and so when Cory got out the aircraft sort of teetered back on the skids. The U-tube footage is when I started it back up and was positioning it forward again. That's why I was alone and landed about 4-5 times to sort of feel out the footprint and determine where I'd be the most solid."

[bondu]

Nice!!!!! :D:D:D

bondu

[Flyting]

"I shut down on the pinnacle on the first landing to evaluate the footprint. The starts were the worst as the ac sort of shifted weight as the blades began to swing."

that's just stupid......:eek:

[Canadian Rotorhead]

Rule number one on any mountain course, thou shalt never shut down on a pinnacle.

Glad to see that it worked out at the end of the day. You were lucky, I hope you never attempt a shut down like that again.

I know that most American Airborne Law Enforcement operations, pilots are sworn officers. I have been an ALEA member for over five years now and firmly believe that in such operations the pilot should be only that, a pilot, and his or her sole responsibility is to get the brave folks with the arresting powers home safe at the end of the day.

Shutting down like that to do a secondary duty is something that should be seriously reconsidered. This forum is a great spot to discuss it and learn from.

CDN RH

[Canadian Rotorhead]

Climber Rescued on Cascade Mountain in Banff National Park - YouTube

[MLHeliwrench]

http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k293/mleduc/LZ/170.jpg

http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k293/mleduc/LZ/167.jpg

http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k293/mleduc/LZ/174.jpg

[MLHeliwrench]

Sunk to the belly. Tasked with staying overnight.
http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k293/mleduc/LZ/IMG_2096.jpg

Well the weather the next day was interesting......

http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k293/mleduc/LZ/CapeDyer11.jpg

We didn't leave for a couple days......

[fijdor]

If I were you, I would keep that shotgun a little bit closer to me in that weather.

Is that N725HT converted to Canadian reg?

JD

[MLHeliwrench]

I belive so. S/N 28109

[Gordy]

From a few years back---outside of McCall, Idaho.

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j35/helokat/LaFonda/m19.jpg

And from inside:

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j35/helokat/LaFonda/m20.jpg

I have progressed these days and now use a "RAM" mount, and have upgraded to the 495. "Timothy" also now has a travel companion... Tabitha, although when I took this picture she did not have her "permanent velcro feet" yet, hence the tape around her ankles:

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j35/helokat/TimothyTabitha.jpg

[P6 Driver]

The Bessbrook Hole could be a challenge!

[ReverseFlight]

Thanks to Gordy for the pics in post #83.

Reminds me of a landing I did on a remote weather station perched on the side of a hanging cliff on Mt Ninderry close to Sunshine Coast / Maroochydore Airport, Queensland, in an AS350 some time ago (with my heart ponding in my mouth). Fellow pilots who have done the same will appreciate that the only way in is from the North and there's very little margin for error.

[Savoia]

P6D, are you talking about here (below) or some other place?

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-LT3_e4gM46s/TmHYOlJrbvI/AAAAAAAAExY/SREa_NNlHx4/s720/RAF%252520SA330%252520HC1%252520230%252520Sqn%252520ZA940%25 2520Bessbrook%252520Mill%252520Co%252520Armagh%25252028%2525 20Mar%25252006%252520%252528Kenneth%252520Boyd%252529.jpg

http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee87/peter24collins/IMG_0020.jpg

[P6 Driver]

Savoia,

I don't have a photo showing on your post, but from the description, the answer is yes.

At the time I was familiar with it, only Sioux, Scout & Gazelle were using the Hole, but I seem to recall seeing a photo of a Lynx down there from later years. Not sure of anything bigger though.

[rotorrookie]

to MLHeliwrench, great pictures :ok: which operator is it?
214 Super Transport :) the greatest helicopter ever in my opinion

[rotorrookie]

On top of the volcano that closed Europe's airspace in April 2010.
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6087/6117003798_8dd02d02aa_b.jpg
another 206 with some funny creatures in the cockpit, your not alone Gordy:E


http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6190/6117038752_ee167b54b0_b.jpg
as you see it is still steaming

[Gordy]

rotorrookie:

Nice.....does he have a name?

[rotorrookie]

the one on the left is Mr.Clark Kent and the one on the compass is "JB the wizard", named after the pilot who put it in there before started flying it :p and his job is to make sure we are on the right heading

[Special 25]

How about this one. I posted it on a previous thread and it comes from the days before Elf & Safety spoilt all our fun !!! Worth watching until the shapely Anneka gets picked up again at the end !

IN0EWrQPUcQ

[206Fan]

P6,

The Chinooks operated out of Bessbrook quite regularly as well. I believe there were a few Seakings in Bessbrook as well during its time in operation. I quite enjoyed seeing the heavy hardware flying in and out when I was at school beside the base. I do remember the teachers freshly poured cup of coffee going walkies off the table one day when the Wokka came over the school on approach. (It was one of them portacabins that the school used years ago so the vibrations were felt).

RAF Chinook helicopter in bessbrook mill - YouTube

[Flyting]

This looks quite scarely close for comfort :eek:


http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/284673_249902115022828_100000091256507_1074946_2517706_n.jpg

[Canadian Rotorhead]

It certainly does.
:eek:

[Thud_and_Blunder]

Hope the pitot heater(s) is(were) on.

[Ready2Fly]

IAS was hopefully 0 kts anyway ;)

[Vertical Freedom]

Hmm might be a good photo shop effort.... looks a little too close to the snow slope & no snow powder beung blowen??? maybe ..... maybe not :confused:

[Pandalet]

He's obviously writing his name in the snow with the heated pitot...

[Carbon Bootprint]

Hmm might be a good photo shop effort.... looks a little too close to the snow slope & no snow powder beung blowen???
That was my first impression as well, right after asking WTF would anyone do what's depicted? :rolleyes:

[Heliport]

Originally posted by bagswinger

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k81/cut-plug/Bigtoe.jpg

[Flyting]

http://i1045.photobucket.com/albums/b451/Flyting/Helicopters/IMG_0457.jpg
I never shut down here.... :}

http://i1045.photobucket.com/albums/b451/Flyting/Helicopters/Pakistan5.jpg
or here.... even though it isn't on top of a mountain

http://i1045.photobucket.com/albums/b451/Flyting/Helicopters/Pakistan6.jpg

http://i1045.photobucket.com/albums/b451/Flyting/Helicopters/Rajpayan.jpg
Somewhere in Pakistan

http://i1045.photobucket.com/albums/b451/Flyting/Helicopters/EtoshaPan3.jpg
some where in the middle of Namibia
http://i1045.photobucket.com/albums/b451/Flyting/Helicopters/2-1.jpg
somewhere in the middle of the Congo

[haughtney1]

From a dopey B777 driver who whilst waiting for his car to get serviced...sat in a coffee shop somewhere in the furnace of a ME summer, stumbled onto this thread (have always been a fling-wing wannabe but am too stoopid) I have to say WOW, what an amazing collection of images and experiences.
Thanks guys
Still waiting on the car.....

[John Eacott]

Back in the mid 1980's we had a huge swathe of Tasmania locked up as a 'Wilderness Area". After a year or two the Hydro Authority were getting nowhere in having another authority take responsibility for the huts and bridges that were there for bushwalkers, so we used a 206L1 to take in work crews to cut down the bridges, thus denying access to anyone to the area. Who won out of that fiasco?

Anyway, some magic flying down in the Gordon River :cool:

http://www.helicopterservice.com.au/photos/pprune/BKU%20Gordon%20River%2001.jpg

http://www.helicopterservice.com.au/photos/pprune/BKU%20Gordon%20River%2002.jpg

http://www.helicopterservice.com.au/photos/pprune/BKU%20Mt%20Fincham%20pad%2002.jpg

http://www.helicopterservice.com.au/photos/pprune/BKU%20Franklin%20pad%2001.jpg

[fijdor]

Haughtney1 , as soon as the darn car is fixed, go get your R/W ticket and start having fun:D

JD

[rick1128]

Haughtney1, when you do be sure to join Helicopter Pilots Anonymous. It is an incurable addiction but it is fun as all heck.

[skadi]

Italian compilation:

mw8QlOeqDXI

[Runway101]

Italian compilation: Good video, but I spot a couple of Austrian birds in that video.

[Gary Smith]

Nice pictures John, didnot know u had them:cool:

[Savoia]

Skadi, grazie! :ok: Good video, but I spot a couple of Austrian birds in that video. Ah yes well, there's some history between the territories. For many-a-year the Austrians believed Italy was theirs and, for a time, certain parts were. These days things are a little different and we generally accept we have a few cousins across the borders, particularly southern Switzerland and Austria. ;)

[skadi]

Italian compilation: Good video, but I spot a couple of Austrian birds in that video.

...and at least one REGA-Bird from Suitzerland. :O

I should have written "Roman compilation" then, they have been almost everywhere in Europe :E

skadi

[Tourist]

Gadfly - YouTube

[Non-PC Plod]

I'm with bleepup on this - biscuit tin on goggles was a little disconcerting - worse than the hole at Bessbrook. (Its not the hole in the photo attached above, the hole was about 50-100m behind the person taking the photo, past the buzzard shack.)
But I'll raise you one - any frigate or small RFA helideck in less than calm weather - imagine a biscuit tin moving in 3 dimensions!

[Shackman]

I'd agree with Non PC Plod, but also raise him one as the helideck of SS Canberra (supposedly just big enough!) with a Chinook in moderate sea state. Sorry no pictures - too busy working!

[Hydromet]

Does anyone have pics of Darenai radio repeater in Bougainville? Would be interested for nostalgia's sake.

[Makiwa]

http://i994.photobucket.com/albums/af66/Pikanin/DSCN0097.jpg

[Makiwa]

http://i994.photobucket.com/albums/af66/Pikanin/SuperPumaonDeckJAS-251.jpg