R44 Pop-out floats

[Alex_Ford]

Does anybody have any pictures of a R44 with the emergency pop-out floats (in use!) actually floating on water (or knowledge where I can view one/some) please?

I am looking for pics of the Robinson emergency floats, not 3rd party ones please as the designs seem to differ. A post here or PM would be great.

I am not looking for pics of the the Clipper fixed floats version.

Many thanks

Alex Ford

[Bravo73]

Have you asked Robinson themselves?

Or even Google Images? Because this is what the latter had to say on the subject:





PS Just noticed that you wanted a shot of the heli floating on water. Will a float test in the hangar do?

[Alex_Ford]

Done the Google bit - no, not asked Robinson - would probably take ages or get no reply, but don't honestly know, but would have thought that somebody here would have a pic. Seen the one in the hangar - I need a pic of it floating on water as I wrote in my post.

Thanks

Alex Ford

[helicopter-redeye]

My engineers video'ed the inflation of my pop outs being inflated at the last 3 yr maintenance if this is of interest.

Not quite YouTube material but y'know what it's like in the hangar ..

h-r

[Alex_Ford]

Hello, well not sure if this yours?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dYelWkGGG8Q

Whats the betting?

Thanks,but as I say I am looking for one all at sea! :-)

One thing though please - where is the inflation switch? On the collective? Do you have to arm them or just pull the trigger/switch?

Alex Ford

[helicopter-redeye]

Nope, wrong colour or my name is helicopter-white eye

The inflation system is:-

Pin out of the float bottle to arm system (done on the ground when planning over water flight).

When preparing for ditching, press in the safety catch and move to 'armed' position under the collective (centre mount/ RH pilot only).

When ready to fire, squeeze little red trigger under collective

All done with LH thumb and middle finger.

h-we

[FFF]

Earlier this year I had asked Robinson for some of their pictures, and they were very helpful.
It would be worth sending them a quick email at least.

[Alex_Ford]

Hello helicopter-redeye,

Ok many thanks for your reply and all understood - would you have (or are you able to take any pictures for me of the operating switch on the collective please?

Also - question 2 please - are your floats standard Robinson ones or another 3rd party make?

And lastly Q3 please - is each float a single float per side (basically the same as the Clipper fixed floats) or are they 2 piece per side as I have seen on some 3rd party float sets?

Many thanks for your kind help and time on this.

Regards

Alex Ford.

[Alex_Ford]

Hello FFF,

Yes - ok thanks I will drop them an email.

Thanks

Alex Ford

[Alex_Ford]

helicopter-redeye,

B.T.W you mentioned a video of yours being tested - am I able to access that video please? I am trying to get an idea of the shape and size of the floats.

Many thanks

Regards

Alex Ford

[helicopter-redeye]

Multiple questions.

I'll ask the engineers for the video (I'd like to see it myself).

There is a photograph of the switch in one of the Robinson publications. If I can locate it it will be scanned. If not I'll take a pic at the end of the week. You could also ask RHC for the picture though as it is in one of their publications (which I can't remember the name of).

They are factory fitted floats not aftermarket (Mk1 with white covers not the cooler new black ones) and as far as I know single part either side.

h-we

[Alex_Ford]

helicopter-redeye

Excellent - Many thanks for your kind help.

Regards

Alex Ford

[VH-XXX]

A 44 pilot told me the 44 won't stay upright on the pop-out floats if landed on them. I didn't think they were for upright purposes, so any footage at sea would be a very expensive filming exercise?

[Alex_Ford]

VH-XXX - well I would have thought then that they are not much use to help keep the aircraft afloat and allow people to get out if that is the case.

I would have thought that they will keep the aircraft upright and afloat for some decent period until/if they loose pressure - but I am only speculating here - but they seem a waste of space if in fact they fail to keep the aircraft upright and floating for some decent period of time. If they don't do that why have them in the first place?

Thanks

Alex Ford

[Bravo73]

They might well just keep the aircraft afloat, but not necessarily the right way up.

It's not ideal but it would be much easier to exit an inverted helicopter at 2m down rather than one which is rapidly descending to the depths.

Keeping a helicopter the right way up in a swell has traditionally always been a tricky problem due to the high CofG.

[Alex_Ford]

Bravo 73,

Yes I agree better floating anyway up than sinking, but as I say I cannot think that they have been designed to keep it afloat upside down rather that the right way up by default (at least initially). I would have hoped the design is for life saving first and then aircraft saving second, but yes I very much appreciate the swell and C of G issues. Thanks for your comments.

Alex Ford

[Hover Bovver]

Dont forget that most popouts are for saving the crew not the aircraft! I would guess that the only film you will find of an r44 in water with popouts deployed will be one that has had to use them, as no one would intentionally pop them and land on water, would they ? The risk would be far to great , as with most popouts they are not the most rugged of items.I guess you can relate them to lifejackets, some will keep your head out of water, but not all will- but they will all float you near the surface.

[Alex_Ford]

Hover Bovver,

Yes I already fully appreciate and understand all of that and appreciate your comments.

As regards "as no one would intentionally pop them and land on water, would they ? "

Well I am sure the manufacturer has at some stage....and that they would probably have taken some pictures for evaluation and publicity reasons.

Alex Ford

[scooter boy]

Alex,
The youtube vid of the floats being popped was of my 44 in the hangar at Gloucester earlier this year.
The reason why nobody (including the manufacturer) would pop the floats and then intentionally land on water is that the engine would most likely be destroyed by water damage (esp if salty water).
I would suggest you contact Robinson directly for further info as I am sure the buoyancy of the system has been tested - they may even have the pictures you are looking for of a 44 floating on them.
The other thing you should be aware of is the high cost of re-charging and testing the system - REDI (another clipper owner) and I discussed this earlier this year - it is a four figure sum and enough to make you lose the urge to pull the trigger unless your life depended on it.

As previously stated the popouts are for passengers and crew safety and not designed for saving the helicopter. The chopper will most likely be scrap after putting down on water. Best to let it sink to the bottom and claim on the insurance rather than attempt salvage (in the opinion of a well respected helo engineer friend).

SB

[Hover Bovver]

I know its not what you are after, but there are/were pictures of an MD product landing on water floats deployed on there website(or there used to be, and cant remember if it was a 600 or 500)