T.C. is quite correct in that the EC 135 doesn't have a C of G problem. It has a landing gear position problem.

PANews spoke of the shot of one ship that had landed across a levee or similar and it had pivoted about the rear of the skids and was stuck tail down nearly vertical down the embankment. Probably happened as the pilot stepped out. Great shot but what an embarrassment.

Pity EC can't move the rear cross-tube back another 6 inches or so though as it seems it is currently positioned directly on the C of G. Even picking the bird up with a Tug-a-lug generally requires placing some ballast on the front of the skids to prevent it from tipping backwards.

Tigerfish
 

STL - Try a TLC Heli Lift. What an incredible piece of kit. It seems to lift anything. ( & I am not connected!). Seiously they are worth looking at if you have a lift & shift problem.

i haven't said that the EC135 have a CG problem ;)

Lima Oscar

I agree that you didn't say it had a problem, just that it "is really on the rear". I was simply agreeing with TC that it didn't. Other than the nasty trait of wanting to sit on its tail on the ground, it is a delightful little machine.

Mass of tail boom = 60kg if I remember a comment by the Essex Air Ambulance correctly.

Just a thought, if the pilot had test the density of the snow during landing, by "jerking" the collective up and down in a gentle manner, maybe he could avoid the situation.

Cheers
Dick

Ok no problem ;)

I always wished EC had moved the skid 6 inches rearward, it would have stopped it appearing in the camera lens!

Artist formerly known as FNW.

EC-135 landing an take-off
 

Hi folks,:)
this is Gilbert, the Austrian EC135 pilot (shown in action on the video)!


Of course, I did! I also told the HEMS-crew to get out and report, wether the snow-skids where fully on the ground and how the surface is. He reported: "both skids well on ground, surface is hard"!
I shut down and when the rotor stopped, I went out normally. Just when my feet touched the ground, I heard a "sort of scratching" noise and the EC sunk rearwards, until the Fenestron-housing stopped it!
Actually the surface was frozen hard, but there was sort of powder-snow down under. The snow-skids would sink, including a greater piece of the hard surface!
Never experienced this before - flying EC135 since 1997 in mountainous areas of Austria.:ooh:
I have checked the situation of the Fenstron eagerly and decided, NOT to dig it out because I was afraid, it could sink even deeper?
We also tried to pull the aircraft into it`s normal attitude - no way!

The "recovery" maneuver was not a real problem - despite I should have made it a bit less harsh!? No limit on mast-moment, no uncommon feeling - she moved a bit too fast but, well, that was it! (No such training ever before!)

Losses: the tail-bumper was slightly damaged, replaced and a special-check was carried out. No further damages.
Reliable aircraft? I guess....

Kind regards,

old Gil. :D

Welcome Gilbert !

Thanks for the explications and well done ;)

Regards

LO

Hi Gilbert, sorry I didn't want to offence you. But you are right I saw similar thing happen in Canada. An Astar land by a lake, where the snow seem to be ok but when the rotor stop and the pilot disembark, the A/C sunk in the snow. I was flying by and the pilot call me to look during he attemp a take off, same as yours. Basically good job.
Cheers
Dick

Hello Gilbert

Thanks for those explanations. One thing still bothers me. Why didn't you dig away the snow from the top of the skids? Wasn't that the main obstacle sticking you to the ground?

EC135 take-off
 

Hi Phoinix:)

yeah, was thinking about this (even the snow on top of the skid was not the real reason for "sinking")
Finally, I decided, not to remove snow or dig somehow for not to destabilise the tricky ground!
Seen retrospectively, I would move more slowly (but I had to consider the mast-moment limit, of course) !:hmm:

Lesson learned: TAKE ADDITIONAL CARE - NEVER TRUST THE SNOW TOO MUCH!

Kindest regards,

old Gil.:)

We all make mistakes and we all learn; from our own experiences and from others. Thank you for sharing that one with us :)

In the end, everything turned out OK, that's important :ok:

Regards

Old Gil
 

Like the others said, thanks for the narrative, and we're all glad everything worked out well!

Hey Gilbert!

Someone over here wishes to know, if you are still wearing those big moustache :}

Hi Phoinix:)

yes,yes - part of me! (Helps to balance....!)

Kind regards,

Gilbert, the senior

Good onya Gil! Tricky terrain, tricky surface and tricky recovery.Well done!

Hi Warrigal:)

Yeah - my wording! Thank you!
Another lesson learned, yes!
This time, tricky terrain and conditions every day!
Foggy weather, fresh snow, poor visibility - many missions!
Last weekend, we had stormy northwind - up to 80 kts max. in 12000ft!
Hard winter this year!
You`re better off in Australia, rather than in Austria, at the time beeing?
I dream so....

Kind regards,

old Gil:) :)

Q's about flying in snow
 

Hello,
Anyone have any rules of thumb about flying in snow. More like when icing may occur, ie...temps, relative humidity freezing level? I fly vfr and am familiar with when icing may occur when in the clouds, but there isn't much info I can find on icing when it comes to flying while it's snowing.

Thanks for your help

S