St Lucia Helicopters
 

Hi had the airport transfer today, quick, efficient and informative. Rotors running while pax boarded and departed, not an issue for me but just thought I'd make the comment following recent threads about rotors running with pax/pilots boarding/exiting.

Stay safe

For what purpose...? I fly for 2 companies in 2 completely different areas of helicopter operations and hot load all days long.

One is fire---I will conduct crew shuttles frequently. There are trained helitack to load, unload and manifest the crews. Typically they will not have helmets/headsets and I have no way to talk to them. We typically land them on knolls, ridges, sloped ground in a fire area----never had an issue. We run a 212, Long Rangers and a Huey--no pax.

The other company I now run, is a charter company flying people back and forth to Catalina Island. The passengers range from seasoned "commuters" to tourists who fly one time. They are given a video briefing, and we have "rampers" who control their every movement on the marked helipads. Never had a problem. We run Astars, a Jet Ranger and an S-76.

I used to fly for a tour company in Hawaii and we also hot loaded ALL day long....never had a problem there either.

I suspect that in the accident last weekend, somehow the rotor disc "detracted from its normal level plane of rotation" and so impacted the crew member.

The way to avoid these accidents is to require the pilot to have his hand on the cyclic whenever someone is under the disc. In Hawaii, we would also turn off the hydralics. (In Astars).

Why do people get so worried about rotors running pax movements or refuelling?

In the NS this happens every day of the year. If properly trained/escorted there is no problem! It just needs good SOPs to make it a safe evolution.

HF

I think the bigger issue is their route over the centre of the island. I travelled North with them six years ago and cancelled the return trip because I thought they were taking unnecessary risks.

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-X...+Korb%2529.png
St Lucia Helicopters Ecureuil J6-AAQ (Photo: Rob Korb)

Savoia
 

Great picture that was the machine we were on today and another was waiting for other pax.

Concerns over route? And cancelling a return trip? Would like some clarication on this?

Sorry I missed you! (I was flying the other machine!)

:)

Low level, single engine, heavily forested, mountains. Add a few minutes to the flight and you can go round the coast.

Lol
 

Maybe catch up next next Wednesday on our way back! Would be good to meet you

Regards

Roger

'Fraid not! I'm off now on hols to England for ten days myself. Gasping for a real pint and a bit of proper roast lamb! Have a great time here.

Choppertop
 

Hope you enjoy your pint and roast and the weather!

We dropped into St Lucia for an overnight on a ferry trip with a 92 in March - large, noisy, red, white and blue thing. Saw your pad on short final and taxied by pre- takeoff the next morning - thanks for the waves. Wish we had had time to drop over for a visit.
Take good care. Beautiful island and great, helpful folks.

Albatross
 

A 92 in St Lucia, I bet that turned a few heads, especially for the St Lucia Helicopter guys!

I think most of the 92s that went to Brazil passed through St. Lucia so while not a common sight they are not an unknown species.

First attempt at adding a picture to a thread from IT illiterate!
 

Use the IMG link in photobucket and then post that into your post.

Like this:

http://i1295.photobucket.com/albums/...ps693803da.jpg

:ok:

Trying again!
 

Ok IT sorted, on a lighter note!
 

When J6-AAQ arrived to collect us yesterday, my GF, in a skimpy summer dress was caught by surprise by tail rotor power, I missed it but the other pax got a full on Mariylon Monroe flash, an embasrssed GF and 2 smiling male PAX.

She should know better, plenty of helicopter travel under her belt...... Or maybe learn to wear a belt!

Lots of doom and gloom recently on this forum, yes fancy the Caribbean again!