Rumour has it that white smoke has been seen over Lippetts Hill...

FNW

Probably just means they're burning the evidence... :D

Can anyone confirm the statement made in the Defence Helicopter World that says, 'looking further into the flight manual, there are restrictions with tight turns below 70 knots and they are to be avoided'.

I just don't happen to have an EC145 FM to hand. :rolleyes:

Thanks
SS

I believe you may be refering to

Flight Manual BK 117 C-2

Para 4.13.2

Warning

AVOID STEEPRIGHT TURNS AT AIRSPEEDS BELOW 70KIAS CLOSE TO THE GROUND IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN SUFFICIENT LATERAL CONTROL MARGIN FOR RECOVERY.

Lateral control characteristics of single rotor helicpters are significantly influenced by forward speed (airspeed), bank angles and related g-loads.

During high load factor maneuvers at airspeeds below 70 KIAS the cyclic stick can reach the left lateral stop before retreating blade-stall entry.

Reduction of the load factor and/or nose-left side slip will improve lateral control margin.

Any pilot with flying time on the beast care to comment?

I think you will find the Bo105 has the same piece of advice in the FM - I thought it was something to do with rigid rotor characteristics although never found it to be a problem uner most circumstances.

I have heard that the first two to be offered the immediate vacancy have turned it down. One person has accepted an offer of the next vacancy to come up when Sussex go directly employed and one person has had a non. I am not sure how many interviewed.

I only know these as they are all in the same company.

FNW

105
 

It IS in the 105 FM, one must be very dilligent at low speed when turning sharply right from downwind to into wind. You WILL run out of left lateral very quickly, a little scary at first but like anything we learn from our scares...NO?

The AC was even more suspetable with a load on the hook.

Yes, having done quite a bit of load lifting with a 105 I can confirm that is quite noticeable with a load underneath but there again there is no reason to be doing steep right hand turns when underslinging.

Floater: Why have they refused the job?

...and do they work for the same company as you?

If they have refused the job - can I have it ???
PLEEEEEEEEEZE !!!!!!!

Love to be buzzing around London all day and get paid for it too !

TC - Personal reasons

Mighty Gem - Yes.

FNW

Why bother to apply then - if you are not going to accept when they offer you the job??????

WHY?
 

Because it's one of those traditions in the chopper business. It's a way of making a statement to your present employer without actually having to do anything concrete.

G:

:E

TC,

Back on resettlement training they taught us to apply for at least 3 appointments at a time, to help cushion the occasional disappointment of rejection. It makes sense for applicants to give themselves the best range of options before committing themselves to a new career, don't you think?

Why should potential employers have the monopoly on choice?

This is a very small industry we work in (UK Police). The vacancy was for a directly employed pilot which is a sought after slot in this trade.
Provided you can live near Lippitts Hill the salary isn't bad at all. The job is unique.

Totalling all those up, makes this a very rare opportunity indeed. And for someone to go to the trouble of applying and succeeding, only to throw the offer back into the face of the employer makes no sense at all.

If anything it damages the integrity of direct employment and most certainly burns that prospective employees bridges BIG TIME:*

[Assuming the candidate is not already working for the MET - of course!].

TC

Is this an indicator to the state of the industry if even the Met have trouble recruiting?

FNW

Anyone know what were the changes that meant they needed the extra pilots?

24hr ops for both helicopters? (or all 3)

...or is it because some are fleeing the Hill for the seaside?

Oh dear TC here we go again :(

An interview for a job is a two way process, it is as much about the applicant interviewing the employer (to find out if the move is right for him/her) as the other way around.

Given that most employers will not offer you the job on the spot, why shouldn't the applicant have a little time to consider, after finding out ALL the facts about the job during the interview.

Perhaps the Met job is not as rosy as some people seem to think it is :hmm: