AW139 induced Back Pain
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AW139 induced Back Pain
I conducted a quick survey today among some of my colleagues and discovered that most like me,were experiencing various levels of pain and discomfort associated with lower back pain.
I have concluded that it is due to the action of applying or pressurising the parking brakes.
Any others having similar experience let me know
or try this.....
Sitting on a fairly upright seat, Lift both feet off floor, out stretch your legs keeping heels off the floor and rotate ankles together in an action like apply brakes on your car.........This is done to pressurise the brake system for parking and locking for offshore landings.
I have concluded that it is due to the action of applying or pressurising the parking brakes.
Any others having similar experience let me know
or try this.....
Sitting on a fairly upright seat, Lift both feet off floor, out stretch your legs keeping heels off the floor and rotate ankles together in an action like apply brakes on your car.........This is done to pressurise the brake system for parking and locking for offshore landings.
Last edited by scottishterrier; 6th Feb 2011 at 23:54. Reason: spelling + additional info
It is my contention that one of the reasons back pain is experienced by some helicopter pilots is a result of slight out of balance flying.
Placing the ball exactly in the middle in something as un-aerodynamic as the average helicopter does not necessarily result in a perfectly balanced machine.
Therefore when the pilot relaxes his body, particularly with all the holds in, there can occur an unconscious slight twisting at the waist to compensate for the out of balance forces. The cumulative effect of this twisting may cause the problem.
Just a thought….
Placing the ball exactly in the middle in something as un-aerodynamic as the average helicopter does not necessarily result in a perfectly balanced machine.
Therefore when the pilot relaxes his body, particularly with all the holds in, there can occur an unconscious slight twisting at the waist to compensate for the out of balance forces. The cumulative effect of this twisting may cause the problem.
Just a thought….
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Hmmm, could the "out of balance" or "twisting" be cured by something as simple as having the pilots remove their wallets from their back pocket, I am sure that that sitting on something so large under one cheek of their delicate bot bot would almost certainly be a contributing factor here!
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Terrier,
which sort of seat do you have fitted? I had a student last week who could hardly move with sciatica, and found the old-style seat really uncomfortable - the seat edges being easy to feel through the seat pad.
Prawn - the 139 balances itself when you take your feet off the pedals, so its probably not the problem.
which sort of seat do you have fitted? I had a student last week who could hardly move with sciatica, and found the old-style seat really uncomfortable - the seat edges being easy to feel through the seat pad.
Prawn - the 139 balances itself when you take your feet off the pedals, so its probably not the problem.
Get another life - Whirlwind for 3 hours! Although I agree the Wessex for 8 hours (or more) compounded the back ache from the Whirlwind (although for oldbeefer it was probably the Sycamore or Dragonfly!).
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TYpe
I really have no idea what kind of seats are fitted.Probably the base model cheapest and lightest.
I have little interest in what a Wessex was like, this is a 21st century machine with all the bells and whistles added at a design stage for the very purpose of easing the cockpit workload, just like an 777 A330 etc. Thank you to the CNUTs who see it their purpose to add to all topics and threads with snide and and cynical remarks. Get a life indeed !
Dont spend your life on prune and you too could be suffering the consequences of an ill thought out design.
I have little interest in what a Wessex was like, this is a 21st century machine with all the bells and whistles added at a design stage for the very purpose of easing the cockpit workload, just like an 777 A330 etc. Thank you to the CNUTs who see it their purpose to add to all topics and threads with snide and and cynical remarks. Get a life indeed !
Dont spend your life on prune and you too could be suffering the consequences of an ill thought out design.
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If I am one of the cynical CNUTS to whom you so poetically refer then perhaps I wouldn't be quite so cynical if I didn't read about a pilot with a job that would be the envy of many complaining about having to exert a little pressure to apply wheel brakes. My 10 year old daughter could do it and if it is done properly two applications is all that is required.
Have you thought about a change of profession or a change of type, or strengthening your back with a little exercise or purchasing some back support or perhaps you are waiting for someone else to do something about it?
Have you thought about a change of profession or a change of type, or strengthening your back with a little exercise or purchasing some back support or perhaps you are waiting for someone else to do something about it?
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If the cap fits !
I have no intention of getting in to any personal exchange over how difficult or easy it maybe , I am merely casting my survey to 139 pilots generally to establish if this is common to 139 crews.
Piffle are you rated on this type ?
Piffle are you rated on this type ?