Gazelle: Flying, operating, buying
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Lol!
Yes, I think Hof realises that there is an expectation on the part of PPRuNers for the publication of a blow-by-blow account of his introduction to gyroscopically-infused flight!
Hof .. you do realise that after you advance the throttle (thrust lever) you'll still be sitting in the same spot and .. that once you are airborne things might not pass by at the speed to which you are accustomed!
Have fun.
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SeaLion:
I'd love a copy of the report and shall PM you my email address accordingly.
Rgds
Sav
Lol!
Yes, I think Hof realises that there is an expectation on the part of PPRuNers for the publication of a blow-by-blow account of his introduction to gyroscopically-infused flight!
Hof .. you do realise that after you advance the throttle (thrust lever) you'll still be sitting in the same spot and .. that once you are airborne things might not pass by at the speed to which you are accustomed!
Have fun.
.
SeaLion:
I'd love a copy of the report and shall PM you my email address accordingly.
Rgds
Sav
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Pilot handling report
Sav
The maestro, aka DennisK, reported in the latest edition of BLADES magazine on the Gazelle. He spent his time flying up and down the North Norfolk coast in one. Not sure that you can access BLADES online to read it or if it is available in hard copy in Italia. Maybe DennisK will be able to provide the feedback you need when he is next around these parts.
Best Regards
Hof
The maestro, aka DennisK, reported in the latest edition of BLADES magazine on the Gazelle. He spent his time flying up and down the North Norfolk coast in one. Not sure that you can access BLADES online to read it or if it is available in hard copy in Italia. Maybe DennisK will be able to provide the feedback you need when he is next around these parts.
Best Regards
Hof
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I note that in an earlier post DennisK makes mention of flying with the RN Sharks. I went through the RN Gazelle course during March to August. This meant that the Sharks pilots, drawn from the squadron instructors, would practice their display some mornings at around 0800 before the days flyPro got underway.
The great thing was that students programmed on the first slot of the day flew left hand seat for the Sharks practice. . . .
...and my instructor Doug H was one of the pair which performed an amazing opposition flying sequence at crowd line mid way through the routine, so that made it double...
Did this 5/6 times . . .really set you up for the day ahead
Also recall Jan C performed a superb solo Gazelle routine at each Wings award parade, but can't recall if he was a "Shark" also?
The great thing was that students programmed on the first slot of the day flew left hand seat for the Sharks practice. . . .
...and my instructor Doug H was one of the pair which performed an amazing opposition flying sequence at crowd line mid way through the routine, so that made it double...
Did this 5/6 times . . .really set you up for the day ahead
Also recall Jan C performed a superb solo Gazelle routine at each Wings award parade, but can't recall if he was a "Shark" also?
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Sealion: I think Dennis mentioned that his encounter caused him to 'imagine' flying with the Sharks but it will be up to him to confirm this! Certainly remember seeing them perform at many-a-show where Dennisimo was also doing 'his bit'!
Hof: Yes, several of us 'International PPRuNers' have heard about this Blades business but bugger all use if its not online! While my home is in Italy I am lucky if I get back for Easter and Christmas with my business keeping me on an endless circuit between the Far East, Middle East and Africa. To be honest I don't know how any publication can survive these days without being online. Everything I read is now delivered online or via email.
Still, I have Sealion's Pilot magazine report winging its way to me and during the course of the day another Rotorhead emailed me a copy of an article by Flyer magazine which I shall read this evening.
Sav
Sealion: I think Dennis mentioned that his encounter caused him to 'imagine' flying with the Sharks but it will be up to him to confirm this! Certainly remember seeing them perform at many-a-show where Dennisimo was also doing 'his bit'!
Hof: Yes, several of us 'International PPRuNers' have heard about this Blades business but bugger all use if its not online! While my home is in Italy I am lucky if I get back for Easter and Christmas with my business keeping me on an endless circuit between the Far East, Middle East and Africa. To be honest I don't know how any publication can survive these days without being online. Everything I read is now delivered online or via email.
Still, I have Sealion's Pilot magazine report winging its way to me and during the course of the day another Rotorhead emailed me a copy of an article by Flyer magazine which I shall read this evening.
Sav
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Savoia
I mentioned about Charlie Haughey ex-Irish PM being flown about in a 341 in the early 80's. Apparently in Serbia this still goes on!
SA342L departing Trebinje with the President of the Republic of Srpska (Serbia). Flown by renown Serbian pilot Col. Okilj. (Photo: Bastastic Dusan).
I mentioned about Charlie Haughey ex-Irish PM being flown about in a 341 in the early 80's. Apparently in Serbia this still goes on!
SA342L departing Trebinje with the President of the Republic of Srpska (Serbia). Flown by renown Serbian pilot Col. Okilj. (Photo: Bastastic Dusan).
As for the PM machine, in Serbia they use this scary airplane looking helicopter wannabe with faggot funny little wheels!
Anyways, PM of Srpska, whether he knew or not, got ride in Lambo, not a limmo...
Still searching for anyone prepared to provide a handling or flight report on the Gazelle!
Sav
Sav
richard boswell gazelle - Google Search
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Hi guys, long time lurker and lover of this thread.
If interested you can get DennisK's report on the Gazelle here:
Blades March 2011
It's an online version of BLADES.
enjoy
If interested you can get DennisK's report on the Gazelle here:
Blades March 2011
It's an online version of BLADES.
enjoy
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311: Quite right. A formidable faux pas on my part. Thanks for the correction. Details amended accordingly!
BT: Great stuff! From zero to two Gazelle reports in a day! And, coincidentally, the report you linked shows G-OGAZ, an image of which was posted just this morning.
Sav
311: Quite right. A formidable faux pas on my part. Thanks for the correction. Details amended accordingly!
BT: Great stuff! From zero to two Gazelle reports in a day! And, coincidentally, the report you linked shows G-OGAZ, an image of which was posted just this morning.
Sav
Savoia; it was the G-OGAZ photo you posted earlier this morning that reminded me of the Gazelle report written by Richard Boswell.
I loved the Gazelle! It fitted like a glove and flew like Harry Potters broomstick. Magic:
I loved the Gazelle! It fitted like a glove and flew like Harry Potters broomstick. Magic:
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Dagga: Thanks for the link!
I'm glad to discover that this information is in fact available online. This is my first encounter with 'Blades'.
Dennis' article was superbly written being both engaging and informative. The article was accompanied by some splendid shots so, for an all round effort by Dennis and the 'Blades' photographer .. 10 out of 10!
The impression one gets is that the Gazelle is an uncomplicated craft to manipulate and that it delivers a reassuring confidence in its handling.
Dennisimo; could you elaborate just a tad on the two collective 'idents'. Is the first intended to be a marker for 'normal flight' with the second being the destination for an excursion to 'max power'?
Re: Fuel pumps. You mention a 20 second burst before the start. After the start is the pump returned to 'on' and is there just a single pump or are there two as in the 206?
You mention that when advancing the throttle fully that should the rpm 'run away' towards 47,000 that the 'start' must be aborted. You are of course referring to a governor failure or is there further travel available on the throttle lever for emergency power?
In its handling where does the Gazelle sit in terms of responsiveness between say the 500 and the Ecureuil?
Well done on a great article.
Sav
Dagga: Thanks for the link!
I'm glad to discover that this information is in fact available online. This is my first encounter with 'Blades'.
Dennis' article was superbly written being both engaging and informative. The article was accompanied by some splendid shots so, for an all round effort by Dennis and the 'Blades' photographer .. 10 out of 10!
The impression one gets is that the Gazelle is an uncomplicated craft to manipulate and that it delivers a reassuring confidence in its handling.
Dennisimo; could you elaborate just a tad on the two collective 'idents'. Is the first intended to be a marker for 'normal flight' with the second being the destination for an excursion to 'max power'?
Re: Fuel pumps. You mention a 20 second burst before the start. After the start is the pump returned to 'on' and is there just a single pump or are there two as in the 206?
You mention that when advancing the throttle fully that should the rpm 'run away' towards 47,000 that the 'start' must be aborted. You are of course referring to a governor failure or is there further travel available on the throttle lever for emergency power?
In its handling where does the Gazelle sit in terms of responsiveness between say the 500 and the Ecureuil?
Well done on a great article.
Sav
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Bertie! Is that you? Great stuff, AAC?
To me it seems as if the positioning of the cyclic in the Gaz is fairly close to the seat (as with the 500) and which I personally prefer. The 206, especially the L, was by contrast less 'comfortable' in my view and with precious little one could do about it. In the bigger Bells (as with the Ecureuil) the seats were adjustable so you could bring the cyclic closer if need be.
A black Gazelle Bertie?
KJ: Out of curiosity .. is there much of a Gazelle population in Kiwiland. I know there are lots of deer!
Zis: Nice montage!
Having now read Richard Boswell's review (thanks BT) a couple more queries:
"The system monitors itself and a series of four different coloured lights indicate to the pilot all is progressing well with the start cycle."
Could someone identify these four lights and explain exactly what they correspond to?
"On military models a guard on the rotor brake prevents you moving the throttle through the ground idle gate without first releasing the rotor brake. On civilian models this has been deemed unnecessary."
Deemed unnecessary because civilian pilots are less likely to advance the throttle without releasing the brake? It would seem this guard is an added safety feature. Can civilian models have this fitted if required? Is this guard in fact useful?
Sav
Bertie! Is that you? Great stuff, AAC?
I loved the Gazelle! It fitted like a glove ..
A black Gazelle Bertie?
KJ: Out of curiosity .. is there much of a Gazelle population in Kiwiland. I know there are lots of deer!
Zis: Nice montage!
Having now read Richard Boswell's review (thanks BT) a couple more queries:
"The system monitors itself and a series of four different coloured lights indicate to the pilot all is progressing well with the start cycle."
Could someone identify these four lights and explain exactly what they correspond to?
"On military models a guard on the rotor brake prevents you moving the throttle through the ground idle gate without first releasing the rotor brake. On civilian models this has been deemed unnecessary."
Deemed unnecessary because civilian pilots are less likely to advance the throttle without releasing the brake? It would seem this guard is an added safety feature. Can civilian models have this fitted if required? Is this guard in fact useful?
Sav
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Sav
Your enthusiasm for the finer points of Gazelle operation is obvious! I am afraid my memory is not acute enough to answer these points.
What you need I think is a copy of the MoD Aircrew Manual for the Gazelle. This tome will contain all you need to know.
It was a blue ring-binder job with a white spine, frequently updated with amendments. We did 2-3 weeks solid technical ground school before being let loose on the beast.
Has anyone in Pprune land got one?
Edited to add - They are available as a CD/pdf on ebay - Search "Gazelle manual"
It is called an AP101.
Your enthusiasm for the finer points of Gazelle operation is obvious! I am afraid my memory is not acute enough to answer these points.
What you need I think is a copy of the MoD Aircrew Manual for the Gazelle. This tome will contain all you need to know.
It was a blue ring-binder job with a white spine, frequently updated with amendments. We did 2-3 weeks solid technical ground school before being let loose on the beast.
Has anyone in Pprune land got one?
Edited to add - They are available as a CD/pdf on ebay - Search "Gazelle manual"
It is called an AP101.
Last edited by Fake Sealion; 8th Apr 2011 at 10:33.
"The system monitors itself and a series of four different coloured lights indicate to the pilot all is progressing well with the start cycle."
The story was that the guy who originally designed the 'start sequencer' had died and no one knew why he had included some certain components in the circuitry.
There was a diode somewhere behind the instrument panel that, if it had blown, when the CWP (central warning panel) was tested for functioning lights, the engine would stop! The CWP was normally tested before engine start so the faulty diode usually never made itself known!
Luckily the first time someone tested the CWP with a faulty diode AND the engine running, he was parked on the ground!
The military simply got round the problem of the 'mysterious diode' by issuing a warning:
"Do not test the CWP in flight"
The story was that the guy who originally designed the 'start sequencer' had died and no one knew why he had included some certain components in the circuitry.
There was a diode somewhere behind the instrument panel that, if it had blown, when the CWP (central warning panel) was tested for functioning lights, the engine would stop! The CWP was normally tested before engine start so the faulty diode usually never made itself known!
Luckily the first time someone tested the CWP with a faulty diode AND the engine running, he was parked on the ground!
The military simply got round the problem of the 'mysterious diode' by issuing a warning:
"Do not test the CWP in flight"
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regarding the brake issue, the ones I've flown had the brake lever, when fully engaged and locked, almost pointing down just in front of your face so I really don't see the point of some aditional gard.
Never saw one, neither on mil, nor civie machines...
regarding the fuel pump, 20 sec is taken so that fuel is interduced to FCU, usually it takes less time, and if you over do it, she simply drops surplus fuel (marking her teritory) and there won't be hot start. After start, pump is left ON, but she can fly and do her thing without it, no mather what altitude, attitude,...
also heard that thing about CWP and engine running, tryed it lots of times on ground and in the air, nothing happened, aldough trough my flying, I've noticed 3 or 4 different types of CWPs on Gazelles, maybe there is one faulty series?
Never saw one, neither on mil, nor civie machines...
regarding the fuel pump, 20 sec is taken so that fuel is interduced to FCU, usually it takes less time, and if you over do it, she simply drops surplus fuel (marking her teritory) and there won't be hot start. After start, pump is left ON, but she can fly and do her thing without it, no mather what altitude, attitude,...
also heard that thing about CWP and engine running, tryed it lots of times on ground and in the air, nothing happened, aldough trough my flying, I've noticed 3 or 4 different types of CWPs on Gazelles, maybe there is one faulty series?