Autorotation in hilly terrain
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 90
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From: UK
Autorotation in hilly terrain
Interesting flight around the lake district and mid-wales recently, as I was looking down, (from a safe height!) it became clear that whatever my height, the options at the end of an auto were less than appealing at certain times when transitioning over hills or valleys. Lots of steep bits valley floor looked a mess.
There isn't always an obvious safe haven down there, and it would have been nice to have a few pointers about where/how to manage an unfortunately timed engine failure.
Any useful hints or tips from people regularly around such areas about making the best of such terrain during an auto?
Lafite
There isn't always an obvious safe haven down there, and it would have been nice to have a few pointers about where/how to manage an unfortunately timed engine failure.
Any useful hints or tips from people regularly around such areas about making the best of such terrain during an auto?
Lafite
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 301
Likes: 16
From: Australia.
Make sure you lose all your forward speed in the flare and touch down vertically. That is the impact most are designed for.
My old man years ago was filming out the side of a H500 in China when the engine failed. It was mountainous jungle and the pilot did a great job putting it into a river, which fortunately turned out to be only about 2 feet deep.
My old man years ago was filming out the side of a H500 in China when the engine failed. It was mountainous jungle and the pilot did a great job putting it into a river, which fortunately turned out to be only about 2 feet deep.
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 318
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From: On top of the Longline
Certainly an issue we all face regularly. Try doing a search in these forums, I think it was Gordy who had a link to a US Military document on "How to crash a helicopter". It's a good read.
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2008
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From: UK
Joined: Jul 2000
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From: Toledo, OH
Keep in mind the MOST IMPORTANT requirement is to walk away from the helicopter with a minimum of damage to the passengers and crew, as possible. Nothing else matters. Even if they have to recover the machine with a stick and a spoon. As long as everyone on board came away with their body parts and senses reasonably intact, then you are ahead of the game. Cause Larry Bell, Igor Sikorsky or Pierre What's his name can always build you a new one.
