Rotorheads Around the World (incl 'Views from the Cockpit')
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: the great white north
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co280fx, was that Wellsville or Wellsboro? i spent my summer working in the Wellsboro area doing seismic. very nice country around there but challenging longlining in the thick canopy.
great pics as always,
fp
great pics as always,
fp
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Colorado
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FP, good eye! That is Wellsboro, PA. I was confusing it with Wellsville, NY, where I also travel. Darren, thanks, but Lancaster is a bit far south from my route.
Headed back to work tomorrow for a special damage survey in the wake of the hurricane Sandy "superstorm." Should be interesting... Thanks for the kind words and encouragement.
-JMc
Headed back to work tomorrow for a special damage survey in the wake of the hurricane Sandy "superstorm." Should be interesting... Thanks for the kind words and encouragement.
-JMc
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: In the Haven of Peace
Age: 79
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A Transport of Delight
It's so nice on a Sunday to sit in my parlour in Lagos and be transported to so many beautiful parts of the world, some of which I've been lucky enough to work in and others which I would like to have but alas now, never will.
I'm thoroughly enjoying the beautiful autumnal views from CO280fx and will be very interested in seeing his shots of the aftermath of hurricane Sandy.
Thanks so much to all the contributors who have made this such a memorable thread which gives so much enjoyment.
I'm thoroughly enjoying the beautiful autumnal views from CO280fx and will be very interested in seeing his shots of the aftermath of hurricane Sandy.
Thanks so much to all the contributors who have made this such a memorable thread which gives so much enjoyment.
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Colorado
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Meloz,
Pipeline operators are required to patrol the right of way for incursions and surface conditions that could affect pipeline integrity. Many have found it's most cost effective to do this with an aerial platform. I'm looking for things like: (#1) construction equipment or recent activity on the right of way, disturbed soil, etc; erosion, settlement, or exposed pipeline; fires; evidence of leaks such as dead or discolored vegetation; down or missing pipeline markers; overgrown canopy or vegetation; new structures in the vicinity of the ROW which cumulatively affect the pipeline classification and patrol requirements; vandalism or "terrorist" activity. Most of the time I'm just painting pretty bread crumb trails on the map to comply with DOT regulations and satisfy federal auditors. Occasionally, I'll spot some knucklehead digging without a proper locate and land to intervene. There is an incredible amount of flying in this type of work. My normal work day is 8hrs skids up. I've averaged over 150hrs/month since June...
Pipeline operators are required to patrol the right of way for incursions and surface conditions that could affect pipeline integrity. Many have found it's most cost effective to do this with an aerial platform. I'm looking for things like: (#1) construction equipment or recent activity on the right of way, disturbed soil, etc; erosion, settlement, or exposed pipeline; fires; evidence of leaks such as dead or discolored vegetation; down or missing pipeline markers; overgrown canopy or vegetation; new structures in the vicinity of the ROW which cumulatively affect the pipeline classification and patrol requirements; vandalism or "terrorist" activity. Most of the time I'm just painting pretty bread crumb trails on the map to comply with DOT regulations and satisfy federal auditors. Occasionally, I'll spot some knucklehead digging without a proper locate and land to intervene. There is an incredible amount of flying in this type of work. My normal work day is 8hrs skids up. I've averaged over 150hrs/month since June...
Last edited by CO280fx; 4th Nov 2012 at 22:55.
I love this time of year...
Just a tip for everyone taking pics from the cockpit... If you can't shoot through an open window, get the front of the lens as close as possible to the window you're shooting through, as this will blur any bug splats/scratches and eliminate the relections from the inside...
carefull..... Flight & Duty is going to get you 
Just a tip for everyone taking pics from the cockpit... If you can't shoot through an open window, get the front of the lens as close as possible to the window you're shooting through, as this will blur any bug splats/scratches and eliminate the relections from the inside...
My normal work day is 8hrs skids up. I've averaged over 150hrs/month since June...
A few shots from an evening photo shoot over Melbourne this week. As usual the weather has been unable to come up with nil cloud for weeks, so we eventually went with the best that we could get! The Nikon D800 was 'only' at 6400 ISO, to think that 400ASA was the best you could get 30+ years ago 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Colorado
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November
Larch Trees near Hornell, NY, putting on a great late Autumn show. Larch trees are deciduous conifers (pine trees that change color and drop their needles!)
The Arden House in Harriman, New York. A >100,000ft Gilded Age mansion built by railroad tycoon E. H. Harriman in 1909. The estate sat upon a 9,300acre parcel including a 125 acre private lake.
Highland Falls, NY
The United States Military Academy at West Point
Lagrangeville, NY
Massachusetts State Police in Fitchburg, MA
Holding on the ramp as six F18 Hornets depart on a training mission. KBAF, Westfield, MA.
40kt frosty winds roll over the ridgeline in North Adams, MA.
Albany, NY
Aerial Solutions impressive aerial saw in Cambridge, Ohio. KCDI
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Boise Idaho
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Snow Woman at work
Survey crew thought we needed an LZ manager. She never did learn to use a radio, but did do a fair job of telling the wind
Last edited by heliRoto; 30th Nov 2012 at 12:21. Reason: picture size did not work out
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Florida
Age: 52
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Some shots of a recent contract in Sierra Leone. A very poor country with levels of poverty beyond belief. Having stayed at the Lunghi 'Hilton' I'll never complain about my living standards again!
Lunghi International Airport, home base.
A beautiful deserted island. A perfect getaway........
A bit crowded though. Where do they get fresh water? Up the far end of the island there is a soccer pitch that is available at low tide. Complete with goal posts with nets. You'd see the guys out paddling hard all day in their dugouts and then running around like lunatics in the evening. No idea where they get their energy.
Heading off shore over Sherbo Island.
Freetown in the morning.
Murray Town, with the UN heliport right of center.
Crossing Yawri Bay.
The town of Bonthe. Anyone who is interested in big game fishing needs to go here. Several world record tarpon have been taken here. The old runway is on the right of town.
Island living.
Aberdeen Heliport.
Simple living. A grass hut.............
Murray Town, a suburb of Freetown
Running home on the last flight of the contract.
Stay tuned for shots of the ferry flight from Sierra Leone through Liberia, Ivory Coast and in to Ghana....................
Lunghi International Airport, home base.
A beautiful deserted island. A perfect getaway........
A bit crowded though. Where do they get fresh water? Up the far end of the island there is a soccer pitch that is available at low tide. Complete with goal posts with nets. You'd see the guys out paddling hard all day in their dugouts and then running around like lunatics in the evening. No idea where they get their energy.
Heading off shore over Sherbo Island.
Freetown in the morning.
Murray Town, with the UN heliport right of center.
Crossing Yawri Bay.
The town of Bonthe. Anyone who is interested in big game fishing needs to go here. Several world record tarpon have been taken here. The old runway is on the right of town.
Island living.
Aberdeen Heliport.
Simple living. A grass hut.............
Murray Town, a suburb of Freetown
Running home on the last flight of the contract.
Stay tuned for shots of the ferry flight from Sierra Leone through Liberia, Ivory Coast and in to Ghana....................
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: By a river
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Beautiful shots vaqueroaero! Brings back memories of several visits there in the early '90s, staying at the Mammy Yoko in Aberdeen. Different country just leading up to the war, would love to go back for a visit. Do they have an established helicopter service to the airport or is it still by ferry?
Gerry
Gerry
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Florida
Age: 52
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Do they have an established helicopter service to the airport or is it still by ferry?
Heading out to Roberts, Monrovia from Freetown.
Mining activities.
UN presence at Roberts.
From Roberts it was direct to San Pedro in Ivory Coast. Thick jungle with no way down.
Wasn't expecting autumn colours in the jungle.
We'll just cut it all down. Make it easier for ferry pilots.
Finally villages started to appear.
Arriving in San Pedro
A welcome sight.
San Pedro airport.
Fueled up and heading down the coast to Abidjan. Flying over Sassandra.
The entire coastline was lined with palm tree plantations. Note the shipwreck.
Every few miles there were plantation villages/towns.
Arriving at Abidjan.
From Abidjan it was into Ghana. Gold mining. (maybe)
