Rotorheads Around the World (incl 'Views from the Cockpit')
I've just returned from a 4 week trip to Antarctica, flying an AS350B2 supporting the French at Dumont D'Urville. My first trip to the ice, and it was certainly eventful!
A few of the photos:
L'Astrolabe is the smallest ice breaker in use, and the evolution to get the Squirrels in and out of the hold has little margin for error!
We initially flew pax and supplies into DDU, but the ice was so thick this year that the distance from the ship was nearly 60nm, making for a lot of flying
Lots and lots of icebergs, and vast distances with confusing perceptions of range. The ship's nearest iceberg was visual at 50nm from only 1000ft
The thick ice kept us trapped for quite a while, we worried about getting out at one stage
One session with 68kt winds and frozen sea spray we could have done without
But a fresh water blast with warm water, lots of WD40 and a long ground run got us going again
A few of the photos:
L'Astrolabe is the smallest ice breaker in use, and the evolution to get the Squirrels in and out of the hold has little margin for error!
We initially flew pax and supplies into DDU, but the ice was so thick this year that the distance from the ship was nearly 60nm, making for a lot of flying
Lots and lots of icebergs, and vast distances with confusing perceptions of range. The ship's nearest iceberg was visual at 50nm from only 1000ft
The thick ice kept us trapped for quite a while, we worried about getting out at one stage
One session with 68kt winds and frozen sea spray we could have done without
But a fresh water blast with warm water, lots of WD40 and a long ground run got us going again
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: here today, where tomorrow?
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John and helidan thanks you both for sharings those amazing experiences!
Amazing flying for sure...
davy
Amazing flying for sure...
davy
Last edited by singesavant; 20th Nov 2009 at 14:33.
Join Date: Feb 2005
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Those are superb photographs, John and the sub-titles; AKA quips, are even better.
i thought??, which one shall I use as a quote to exemplify global warming???
You win hands down, the whole lot qualify, and Al Bore loses a five deck hand in one wipeout. well done.
cheers tet.
P.S. Who is Al Bore you say? well, he is being reported as going to be the worlds first ETS billionaire.
Funny how that many of us rusty rotorheads have tread long and rough paths from bank to bank to raise finance on things that fly, (or float) but still that are tangible, definable and officially registered on a national register, but now banks are eager to hand out spondoolicks by the bucket load on hot air.
Put your slide rules aside you chopper gurus, you are amongst the smartest of our race, go Figurrrr.
tet
i thought??, which one shall I use as a quote to exemplify global warming???
You win hands down, the whole lot qualify, and Al Bore loses a five deck hand in one wipeout. well done.
cheers tet.
P.S. Who is Al Bore you say? well, he is being reported as going to be the worlds first ETS billionaire.
Funny how that many of us rusty rotorheads have tread long and rough paths from bank to bank to raise finance on things that fly, (or float) but still that are tangible, definable and officially registered on a national register, but now banks are eager to hand out spondoolicks by the bucket load on hot air.
Put your slide rules aside you chopper gurus, you are amongst the smartest of our race, go Figurrrr.
tet
... and a couple more from the Wild West...
Vladisvostok Air Mi-8 slinging fuel bladders from Tolukuma Mine to Veimauri staging area
2 new bush pads in the hills, both at 6500ft
How many bananas can you fit in a BK? funny you ask... half loaded!
2 new bush pads in the hills, both at 6500ft
How many bananas can you fit in a BK? funny you ask... half loaded!
