Unusual Helicopter Seen Landing At The White House

[SASless]

Very nice photo of an unusual helicopter landing at the White House in Washington DC.


First Images Of New VH-92 Marine One Helicopter Landing On White House Lawn - The Drive

[John Eacott]

Interesting whether the VH-3 wheel pads will suffice for the VH-92 which faces the other way for airstairs, nosewheel instead of tailwheel?

[industry insider]

Looks good. Sikorsky had 92004 (4th prototype) painted in a similar scheme without the white top in 2003 for promo purposes during a US tour.

[artschool]

very shiny

[JohnDixson]

Actually, the mods installed in 294 went well beyond paint, and included an S-92 updated version of the VH-3D interior, redoing the aft end to remove the ramp and replace it with an extended baggage compartment, installed the special cabin communications pertinent to the VH mission, ditto for the cockpit, and the six FG version of the AVC. It was in fact ready for the mission, and the ride, in both the cockpit and cabin was excellent. A product of leadership by someone known in these pages: Nick Lappos. The work was accomplished at Jet Aviation at KPBI by a joint SA/Jet Aviation team.

[Carbon Bootprint]

Nice photos, nice looking aircraft.

I'm sure some here already know this, but DCFD has two Oshkosh ARFF foam trucks stationed at downtown Washington locations (non-airport) that are primarily used for cover on Marine One (though I suppose they might be handy for the occasional fuel tanker crash on the freeway).



Ya never see them on TV, but then they don't show the other two helicopters involved with White House ops either.

[SansAnhedral]

Does the VH-92 get a new gearbox that can survive > 8 mins oil out of the main case vs the S-92A? I remember hearing about a very in-depth MGB re-design program called ID-MGB III (improved durability main gearbox) about 10 years ago but never saw any announcements of completion.

[heli1]

What I've yet to see is the VH-92 actually on the lawn ,so wonder if they've overcome the previously announced problem of excessive downdraft and localised damage to bushes etc.,not to mention the President's hairdo!

[212man]

Originally Posted by heli1

What I've yet to see is the VH-92 actually on the lawn ,so wonder if they've overcome the previously announced problem of excessive downdraft and localised damage to bushes etc.,not to mention the President's hairdo!

At the height shown above there will be plenty of downwash, believe me, so not sure actually touching down is relevant.

[SASless]

OH Dear Me!

Rotorwash.....from a Helicopter?

I reckon the Sea Kings (for you Tea Drinkers)....does not put out any rotor wash either.

You all do understand there are far more than just the one aircraft that participate in the movement of the President...as they use the Pea under a Walnut Shell game in an effort to confuse the public.

[albatross]

When does it enter service?
On another note I hope the noise from the bleed air off of the APU will not be a problem.

[[email protected]]

I reckon the Sea Kings (for you Tea Drinkers)....does not put out any rotor wash either.

The S92 downwash is in another league compared to the Sea King

[Carbon Bootprint]

Originally Posted by SASless

You all do understand there are far more than just the one aircraft that participate in the movement of the President...as they use the Pea under a Walnut Shell game in an effort to confuse the public.

As inferred in Post 6 above. For the sake of clarity and good order, this practice isn't just for the current resident of the WH. It's been in place at least 15 years, when I first observed it. I saw basically the same thing with Reagan's limo(s) for the Gorbachev summit in Moscow back in '88, so it probably goes back for quite some time for ground ops as well as air travel.

[whoknows idont]

Originally Posted by John Eacott

Interesting whether the VH-3 wheel pads will suffice for the VH-92 which faces the other way for airstairs, nosewheel instead of tailwheel?

The pads are not fixed but rolled out by hand and then simply get placed on the lawn as needed.

[Evil Twin]

You'd think that the manufacturer would be donating the aircraft to the program with the amount of money they make out of the US taxpayer for their other products...