PPRuNe Forums

PPRuNe Forums (https://www.pprune.org/)
-   Rotorheads (https://www.pprune.org/rotorheads-23/)
-   -   Top of the World: photos from Nepal (https://www.pprune.org/rotorheads/483614-top-world-photos-nepal.html)

Savoia 19th Aug 2012 08:34

Mad Jock: How eloquently put! ;)

toptobottom 19th Aug 2012 09:33

VF - A very lucky escape given the unforgiving terrain; good job on getting her down without pax injuries. Hopefully, that will be your only 'brown trouser' moment...

Looks like the tail has become detached from the fuselage as well as the skids being left behind a wall. What was the total extent of the damage? I'm surprised it's flying again so quickly :confused:

TTB

rotorrookie 21st Aug 2012 21:43

that was close call, glad that you and all your pax are ok...
better be prepared, it can happen to anyone of us any day.:rolleyes:
p.s. good to know you can actually squeeze them that far down in the Nr range, something that you don't test on daily basis.:O

Came across your bird in Norway in May 2008, then it obviously had better day then the one in the field. assuming this is the only one with this trim
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7256/7...73eef230_b.jpg

FairWeatherFlyer 8th Sep 2012 15:58

Glad everyone walked away from that one and with the convenience of not needing to step down from the aircraft!


First point - don't operate the engine like an Allison 250!
What's the difference being referred to here?

RVDT 8th Sep 2012 18:24


First point - don't operate the engine like an Allison 250!
Or an LTS for that matter.

I have seen so many operators doing just that.

Prolonged idling - progression from the 250 and or 101 and doing 2 minute run downs. Habit.

Not good due to low oil flow around the rear bearing and heat build up. This progresses to carbon buildup in the scavenge and vent. If the scavenge blocks it is possible for oil to migrate to the rear of the GG 2nd wheel. After that there is a good possibility of losing a turbine blade. 30 seconds is the required run down and then turn it off as any more is detrimental. There is a graph around somewhere that shows the temperature initially reduces in the area of the rear bearing then after 30 seconds it climbs again and does all sorts of strange things. If you have been idling run it up to flight again for a while then back to idle then shut down.

Any maintenance in the rear bearing area requires plenty of attention to details and procedures.

The bearing is after the 2nd wheel on the extreme right.

http://www.gg-pilot.com/ggupload/Expo11.JPG

ref the AD here is a picture of the buildup that comes off unevenly which causes the vibration and rear bearing failure.

http://www.tc.gc.ca/media/images/ca-...tions/20_1.jpg

toptobottom 9th Sep 2012 09:29

Do you know if this 'heat climb' problem during shutdown is peculiar to the B2 engine, or does affect other Arriel motors as well?

FR8R H8R 9th Sep 2012 13:02

Thanks for all the posts and great photos. Glad you made that last one safely.

By the way, i really hate my job now.

Fly safe!

FR8

rotorrookie 23rd Sep 2012 16:32

Is this you VF? or your company? saw it on a news website, the story was "avalanche in Himalayas kills 10 climbers"
http://www.mbl.is/frimg/6/34/634401.jpg

Savoia 23rd Sep 2012 16:48

RR: If you check-out post #18 on this thread you'll see that the craft in question (9N-AJZ) was delivered to Simrik Air. She was at the Singapore Air Show in February prior to her delivery.

DonQuixote23 24th Sep 2012 20:05

Truly epic pictures and what a :mad: of an auto-landing. Thumbs up for saving men and machine.

Vertical Freedom 25th Sep 2012 01:46

Top of the World
 
Thanks for the positive remarks on my Auto. Sheesh I had not too many options; I had to walk away, we all had to walk away, as we all had too much more living to do :ok::ok::ok:

Vertical Freedom 25th Sep 2012 02:25

Top of the World - Manaslu avalanche update
 
Namaste

Manaslu avalanche update

On the 23rd September at around 4am a massive avalanche swept away camp 3 on Manaslu. To date there are 11 seriously injured all now received medical attention in KTM.

8 bodies have been recovered, I flew 6 missions to 21,529' at -3.3∘C to bring down 5 Blessed Bodies & flew 4 Sherpa Climbers up there to assist in the search. To date there are still 3 Mountaineers missing up on the Mountain, search efforts will continue today.

OmOmOm

🚁🚁🚁🚁🚁🚁🚁🚁🚁🚁🚁🚁

bondu 25th Sep 2012 20:11

Fly safe, VF

bondu :)

Vertical Freedom 25th Sep 2012 23:57

Top of the World
 
Good morning fellow Rotorheads

I have been too busy to post pix here, but I am posting pregularly on Face Book (too easy on the iPhone) so if You would like to catch the latest pix then please friend request me at : Steven Bruce Bokan

Cheers & Happy Landings always :ok::ok::ok:

VF :cool:

Nigel Osborn 26th Sep 2012 00:46

VF

Well done on surviving that failure so well. I'm intrigued you took the rotor rpm so low below minima to range extend. Normally the factory flight manual limits are best, have you checked with AS if that was a good idea?

I think your photos are great, I only flew offshore in India & didn't have those views!

belly tank 26th Sep 2012 09:44


have you checked with AS if that was a good idea?
Don't mean to be a prude Nigel and please don't take offense, but I think that was obviously proven to be a Great idea, proof in the pudding:D.

I understand your point, however VF was in the hot seat and I guess he did what he needed to do to preserve life/s. well done Steven

Vertical Freedom 27th Sep 2012 02:29

Top of the World
 
Good morning Nigel & Belly Tank

Re my Auto following engine failure....Well I can say this much; the sight picture on the normal Auto numbers was putting me straight into the Karnali river which at that time of year (monsoon) is a raging torrent that would have been unsurvivable.:mad:

When I went to 100kts & bottom of the Nr green; the picture looked better but I was still going in the drink :{:{:{ then hmmmm (this may sound crazy to some people) I then broke all the rules; common sense, airmanship, experience, the RFM limitations..... I believe I was guided by the hand of God & just kept pulling up on the lever till I could see I was gonna make it. Vibration was severe. During the glide; common sense cut in for a moment & I lowered the lever wanting to get Nr back into the green but I lost the sight picture to my elected landing zone, :{ so, without thought or will, the lever went back to where God wanted it to be & was the ONLY position I believe where we were gonna make it......& we did. 5 x PAX all survived without a scratch:p & 1 x Pilot scarred for life :\ but still flying :ok::ok::ok::D:D:D

Happy Landings ALWAYS :cool:

VF

albatross 27th Sep 2012 03:16

There is no such thing a "cheating" in an auto when you have but one place to go.
Well done!

Vertical Freedom 2nd Oct 2012 16:07

Top of the World
 
descending through 22,500' looking North towards Tibet, off Mt. Manaslu :D WoW :ok:
http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/...ps24d54bc3.jpg

Vertical Freedom 2nd Oct 2012 16:10

Top of the World
 
view of camp 2 Manaslu descending recovering Blessed Bodies following a massive avalanche that swept away camp 3
http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/...ps926ddb5e.jpg
http://www.pprune.org/%3Ca%20href=%2...22/%3E%3C/a%3E

Vertical Freedom 2nd Oct 2012 16:14

Top of the World
 
note the massive cracks just awaiting another massive avalnche, Manaslu around 21,000'
http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/...psc4674f2d.jpg

Vertical Freedom 2nd Oct 2012 16:21

Top of the World
 
Manaslu base camp @ 16,071' Samagaon seen in the background, autoing out of 22,000' VSI jammed hard up against 3,000'fmp
http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/...ps6b69a214.jpg

Vertical Freedom 2nd Oct 2012 16:24

Top of the World
 
view from landed camp 3; 21,529' @ -3.3oC :( after the avalanche ;) controls are really mushy :eek:
http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/...psd1aaf3f2.jpg

Vertical Freedom 2nd Oct 2012 16:26

Top of the World
 
WoW going doooown :ok::}
http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/...ps5a92e20d.jpg

DonQuixote23 2nd Oct 2012 18:14

Again, these photos are just spectacular!

What is your job/position in Nepal? Hired by a local heli-company providing support and SAR for climbers? If you have already told your story here, please give me a link to the post :)

Vertical Freedom 3rd Oct 2012 00:04

Top of the World
 
Yep even a BK makes a fast quick stop arrival, heavy at Sama 12,000' ;)
http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/...psd06730a8.jpg

Vertical Freedom 3rd Oct 2012 00:09

Top of the World
 
WoW the view above the clouds, 21,529' @ -3.3oC :eek::eek::eek:
http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/...ps794d0dc4.jpg

Vertical Freedom 3rd Oct 2012 00:12

Top of the World
 
aftermath from the massive avalanche that swept away camp 3, recovering 5 Blessed Bodies that died here, the break line at the top of the avalanche can be seen here, 21, 529' :(:(:(
http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/...psae49a91d.jpg

Encyclo 4th Oct 2012 01:13

Dear VF :8,

Always impressed with your work, both at the controls and with a camera. One quick question on the last photo of this tragic (a local cardiologist died in this avalanche) event; how high is the wall left from the break?

With no visual references in the area, it's hard to get a sense of the height.

Thanks & keep up the great work :ok:

Vertical Freedom 4th Oct 2012 02:42

Top of the World
 
Namaste Encyclo

Thanks for your kind words :O

The remaining wall left after the avalanche varied from nill to 300' high :mad:

The adventure continues..........................................:ooh:

Happy Landings..............always :ok:

OmOmOm

VF

Vertical Freedom 6th Oct 2012 00:44

Top of the World
 
Mananslu Base Camp, Search & Rescue Ops :hmm:
http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/...ps5201618d.jpg

Vertical Freedom 7th Oct 2012 02:54

Top of the World
 
crashed fixed wing beside Jomsom airport, 2 survived, 17 dead - RIP
http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/...ps8e32a0ff.jpg

Peter-RB 7th Oct 2012 15:27

Hello and Good afternoon Vertical Freedom, from Sunny Lancashire,

Again a stunning few pictures of your everyday view from your mobile office window,

Despite the rugged beauty of that almost untouched area you fly in, death still awaits at every chance to steal the hearts and minds of thoses who dare to reach out to what looks like one of the last unfriendly frontiers.

Take care VF, many of us down near to Sea level read your posts.
My regards
Peter R-B Lancashire UK.

Carbon Bootprint 7th Oct 2012 18:10

What Peter said. Thanks, VF, you're doing a fabulous job chronicling one of the most fascinating areas on the planet. I dare say many of us live vicariously through your adventures. :ok:

Safe flying,
CB

Vertical Freedom 9th Oct 2012 13:58

Top of the World
 
Namaste Peter-RB & Carbon Bootprint

Thanks for Your comments.

Yes here in Nepal is amazing & probably amongst the more challanging places to fly thanks to ultra high landing elevations, DA (ISA +30oC) & crap weather :confused: we have some of the highest accident rates here for both Fixed & Rotory Winged aircraft's due to the mentioned reasons :\

So the adventure continues :p

OmOmOm

VF

Vertical Freedom 9th Oct 2012 14:42

Top of the World
 
WoW factor Nepali style descending through 16,000' Aerial trukking ;)

http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/...psf2fe52a2.jpg

Vertical Freedom 9th Oct 2012 14:43

Top of the World
 
more WoW factor Nepali style ;)
http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/...ps52b8acb4.jpg

Vertical Freedom 9th Oct 2012 15:09

Top of the World
 
Pure Nepali beauty ;)
:cool:❤OmOmOm❤:cool:
http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/...ps96755587.jpg
Ukan Khola 5,673' @ 33oC, 4 x PAX, 35usg, Jetbox BIII :ooh:

Vertical Freedom 9th Oct 2012 15:11

Top of the World
 
Nepali WoW factor, on a rare fabulous Vis day, hmmmm make that double WoW :D:ok:
http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/...ps6b224680.jpg

10W 9th Oct 2012 15:21

Vertical Freedom

Stunning photos and you are doing a stunning job :ok:


All times are GMT. The time now is 21:36.


Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.