NAWSARH AW101 launch last week

[Xmit]

I think the problem is Civil aviation authorities won't certify for helo's that can jettison 800L fuel tanks.[/QUOTE]

I'm not sure that jettisonable tanks would have been a problem for the S92. The Norwegian AW101s are operated by the Norwegian Air Force, and flown under military regulation (the AW101 is, primarily, a military helicopter). Civil certification would not, presumably, have been a requirement.

[JohnDixson]

Ah yes, there is that. Forgot about that side of things. Maybe I was remembering some S-64 marketing travels……everything was jettisonable….got too used to that sort of thing I guess.

[albatross]

Originally Posted by JohnDixson

Ah yes, there is that. Forgot about that side of things. Maybe I was remembering some S-64 marketing travels……everything was jettisonable….got too used to that sort of thing I guess.

For civil use could they not just render the tanks non-jettisonable in the air? They would however be easily installed / removed on the ground to meet mission requirements.
Joke : Once empty they would become an aid to floatation when you run out of fuel. Joke over

Observation….no one seems upset when we fly around unpopulated areas with large jettisonable sling-loads of fuel or dynamite. Perhaps they could be made manually jettisonable only ….precluding those pesky “electrical problems” that are blamed for so many load losses. “I swear my finger was nowhere near the button!” …..”Oh yeah? Why was your last transmission “Base..OOPS! Darn!”

[Xmit]

Originally Posted by albatross

For civil use could they not just render the tanks non-jettisonable in the air? They would however be easily installed / removed on the ground to meet mission requirements.
Joke : Once empty they would become an aid to floatation when you run out of fuel. Joke over

Observation….no one seems upset when we fly around unpopulated areas with large jettisonable sling-loads of fuel or dynamite. Perhaps they could be made manually jettisonable only ….precluding those pesky “electrical problems” that are blamed for so many load losses. “I swear my finger was nowhere near the button!” …..”Oh yeah? Why was your last transmission “Base..OOPS! Darn!”

Thing is, I think you'd want to retain the ability to jettison any external fuel tanks (or any external stores) quickly, just in case you need to improve OEI performance in a hurry. Just as you would with a sling-load.

[albatross]

Originally Posted by Xmit

Thing is, I think you'd want to retain the ability to jettison any external fuel tanks (or any external stores) quickly, just in case you need to improve OEI performance in a hurry. Just as you would with a sling-load.

Hence my observation on having at least manual jettison option as we do on the cargo hook.

In truth I think the ability to electrically jettison should be allowed. Perhaps with a guard on the switch.
Any stats on military UH-60s losing tanks accidentally?

Bit of thread drift. I don’t think it will go beyond an interesting discussion in civilian ops.