Rotor downwash and light fixed wing
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 46
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From: Tacoma, WA
if you absolutely had to taxi near a fixed wing plane would it be better to hover in ground effect or in a high hover to increase the distance from the plane?
my first thought would be IGE because of the reduced power, but im not certain
my first thought would be IGE because of the reduced power, but im not certain
Joined: Aug 1999
Aviation Qualifications: ATP+Mil
Posts: 4,411
Likes: 83
From: Gold Coast, Australia
Tim,
In response to the OP's query, there are two calendar photos from December 2005 which illustrate helicopter vortices quite well. The first, an R44, is quite a light aircraft:
whilst the Puma, of course, is another kettle of fish!
When the Sea King entered service with the RN we were in the habit of hover taxiing everywhere, and gave no thought to not continuing the practice with the King Dipper. RNAS Culdrose had (has?) an area of grass leading down to the bomb dump which was used for slope landings, adjacent to a taxiway: one lonely Hiller 12E was thus occupied with a stude Midshipman when one of us trundled past in a Sea King and casually blew the Hiller base over apex.
That wouldn't have been so bad in itself, but the incident went unnoticed by all until the Tower spotted a bedraggled pilot hobbling across the runway back toward 705's dispersal. Said pilot was a tearful Middie who had extracted himself from the wreckage and spent 10 minutes waiting to be rescued before giving up and seeking solace in the ACRB
The Sea King downwash was re-assessed to be of sufficient magnitude as to require ground taxiing from then on
In response to the OP's query, there are two calendar photos from December 2005 which illustrate helicopter vortices quite well. The first, an R44, is quite a light aircraft:
whilst the Puma, of course, is another kettle of fish!
When the Sea King entered service with the RN we were in the habit of hover taxiing everywhere, and gave no thought to not continuing the practice with the King Dipper. RNAS Culdrose had (has?) an area of grass leading down to the bomb dump which was used for slope landings, adjacent to a taxiway: one lonely Hiller 12E was thus occupied with a stude Midshipman when one of us trundled past in a Sea King and casually blew the Hiller base over apex.
That wouldn't have been so bad in itself, but the incident went unnoticed by all until the Tower spotted a bedraggled pilot hobbling across the runway back toward 705's dispersal. Said pilot was a tearful Middie who had extracted himself from the wreckage and spent 10 minutes waiting to be rescued before giving up and seeking solace in the ACRB
The Sea King downwash was re-assessed to be of sufficient magnitude as to require ground taxiing from then on
Thread Starter
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 2,042
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From: Oxford
Thanks, really useful photos (esp. as Pumas are rather common at home base!) Interesting how little the wake spreads out sideways (though I guess the Puma was doing a fair speed while chucking out all that chaff).
Tim
Tim
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 232
Likes: 2
From: UK
Updated AIC on Wake Turbulence
The Wake Turbulence AIC (Pink) P 072/2010 issued this month has been updated to give increased guidance on Helicopter downwash (following the Piper/S76 accident). See section 5.
NATS | AIS
NATS | AIS
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 741
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From: UK
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 889
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From: UK, US, now more ɐıןɐɹʇsn∀
YES. You can see the Coconutty's picture is FAKE.
Not because I've seen the original with thongs on, but because they deleted the Bose X headset cable from under the lady while airbrushing the pic. Good job, though.
Not because I've seen the original with thongs on, but because they deleted the Bose X headset cable from under the lady while airbrushing the pic. Good job, though.
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 43
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From: Wales
Oh!Its a headset! I thought it was a camera! 
Take a look at page 6 of GASIL Issue 8 2010
http://www.caa.co.uk/docs/33/srg_gasil08of2010.pdf
Take a look at page 6 of GASIL Issue 8 2010
http://www.caa.co.uk/docs/33/srg_gasil08of2010.pdf
