British Grand Prix, Silverstone heliport photos 2009/2010
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heliboy999 - Thanks for taking the time to post all of those. During the SpeedTV/Fox coverage here in the States, Peter Windsor joked that there were more helicopters in the sky than people on the grid.
Nice also to see that the Columbia Helicopters BV107-II driver who was involved with those hover barge towing tests in Prudhoe Bay has now secured a new job flying a 407...
I/C
Nice also to see that the Columbia Helicopters BV107-II driver who was involved with those hover barge towing tests in Prudhoe Bay has now secured a new job flying a 407...
I/C
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Just goes to show, w-anker bars and white shirts do not make the pilots....
You gents always take off in those pitch attitudes, or were you just trying to put on a show for the fans? I used to wonder why race tracks seem to attract so many heli accidents, seems there's a reason after all.
RH
You gents always take off in those pitch attitudes, or were you just trying to put on a show for the fans? I used to wonder why race tracks seem to attract so many heli accidents, seems there's a reason after all.
RH
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I was at Denham, which was being used as one of the feeder site, It was quite hectic at times. It also seemed that Heliair had there fairshare of female drives. Must admit that the Pilot of OAMI made perfectly soft landing every time I saw here land. Pictures of all the movements can be found here
DENHAM HELIPORT 21st June 2009 :: Fotopic.Net
DENHAM HELIPORT 21st June 2009 :: Fotopic.Net
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Well, with such an empty parking area I'd say you're probably right...I thought about a quarter of the numbers of the "good old days?"
Remote Hook, I agree with your remark about pitch attitudes. Several of the photos had me thinking "Practce engine failure - GO!".
Silverstone pad gets very very busy, and with many pilots doing multiple shuttles this sometimes translates into a hurry - hurry mentality - hence some of the rather extreme atitudes seen. Having said that it has an impeccable safety record over a couple of decades, partly due to superb organization and control work, and partly due to the discipline and Professionalism of the people wearing white shirts and w*nker bars. (What the hell do you think customers who've paid £500 (each) for two six minute flights expect? Sweaty lumberjack shirts and hobnail boots??? Get real!)
A few pics of some "operational" flying doesn't implicate safety at racetracks or anywhere else. I'm not aware of a racetrack accident ever in the UK, though I am aware that the accident stats in Canada are somewhat diferent to ours...
Best rgds, white shirt & w*nker bars.
Last edited by Agaricus bisporus; 23rd Jun 2009 at 08:41.
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There is, but there will always be people who are rich enough to pay £3,000 for a charter and another £700 landing fee (someone said that was what it was, but I could be wrong).
I imagine these kind of "one-off" events are the bulk of onshore charter operators business at the moment.
I imagine these kind of "one-off" events are the bulk of onshore charter operators business at the moment.
I flew into Turweston (where there was only another 5 or 6 helicopters) and took the overland transfer to Vale hospitality. Still expensive at £85 per person, but a much more sensible thing to do for owners.
That R22 pilot must be as mad as a box of frogs. He would have paid £520 + VAT + parking charge..... And he must have had to attend the briefing in Redhill.
That R22 pilot must be as mad as a box of frogs. He would have paid £520 + VAT + parking charge..... And he must have had to attend the briefing in Redhill.
That R22 pilot goes every year. I understand he has to be first to arrive on the big day. If he doesnt mind paying the landing fee then good on him I say! Eccentric - yes, but mad as a box of frogs?
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Just remember that the lack of an accident does not translate to - It was safe.
This was one that caught my eye and if this photo was taken from a similar position to other photos, then I would expect a similar attitude to the other aircraft. Mind you I haven't seen the H/V curve for the B407 and it might be fine to be travelling at this speed, accelerating and at that height.
I'm glad that everyone had a good time and an incident free time.
I have flown into the F1 and bike GP's in Melbourne more than once, and this turn out puts us to shame. Congrats to the organisers and controllers. Job well done.
Fantastic photos.
This was one that caught my eye and if this photo was taken from a similar position to other photos, then I would expect a similar attitude to the other aircraft. Mind you I haven't seen the H/V curve for the B407 and it might be fine to be travelling at this speed, accelerating and at that height.
I'm glad that everyone had a good time and an incident free time.
I have flown into the F1 and bike GP's in Melbourne more than once, and this turn out puts us to shame. Congrats to the organisers and controllers. Job well done.
Fantastic photos.
Looks like a great fly in but I agree with the others about the take off profile of some of the machines. B407 and a Long Ranger really caught my eye. It amazing what a crowd does to some pilots or maybe they were mustering
CYHeli - if there are no pax on board the 407 then is there an issue? It looks to me like the pilot is enjoying the 407 for all its worth. Caught up in the buzz of the moment maybe...
As you can see from my photo's I was on hand to witness almost all of the approaches and I can say that they were all flown with skill and "Commercial" attitude. Seeing pilots jugde the speeds of the helicopters in front of them and adjust their own approaches to compensate all the way up the line was a sight to behold. Some could even havebeen classed as Formation approaches! When PAX are aboard we have to ensure smooth approach and safety safety safety! Once the PAX have gone the aircraft is yours again and a few minutes to enjoy that feeling of being a pilot once again. I am sure that a few seconds of fast accelaration and a more nose down attitude than usual is less of a risk than say, 60 minutes longlining over a forest somewhere in the backwoods.
This event shows the true skill of the pilots, after all the training and the regulation, they, with the help of the wonderful ground controllers manage to fly a difficult and sometimes rapidly changing approach without out the help of radar. The pilots use there own common sense and decisions with the help of some very simple well thought out rules to produce an amazing spectacle that is Silverstone GP.
Its just a shame that the Men in the yellow coats with little blue badges are always on hand to try and "catch" pilots who might have a faded boarding card or something else just as petty. They will not be hapy until all helicopter commercial flights are a thing of the past.
Well done all for a spectacular day.
This event shows the true skill of the pilots, after all the training and the regulation, they, with the help of the wonderful ground controllers manage to fly a difficult and sometimes rapidly changing approach without out the help of radar. The pilots use there own common sense and decisions with the help of some very simple well thought out rules to produce an amazing spectacle that is Silverstone GP.
Its just a shame that the Men in the yellow coats with little blue badges are always on hand to try and "catch" pilots who might have a faded boarding card or something else just as petty. They will not be hapy until all helicopter commercial flights are a thing of the past.
Well done all for a spectacular day.
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1helicopterppl
Hi pete, tahanks for the post, you certainly created the 'atmosphere ' of the day.....my photo's are from 'the dark side'.......highlights can be found on;
graemelovell.fotopic.net
also highlights from Ascot
Thanks to the professionals !
graemelovell.fotopic.net
also highlights from Ascot
Thanks to the professionals !