EOL Castle Air Jetbox
 

:ok:;) WoW :eek::ok: Awesome precision :cool::O:)

I thought you werent supposed to do EOL's to the ground with floats on in a 206, mind you 10 years since I have flown one ?

H500: You may well be right when it comes to fixed floats for (as you probably know) the 206 doesn't have a skid under the floats (unlike the 500) but .. as far as I remember there was no prohibition on performing autos with the emergency 'pop-outs' fitted.

However, in the 80's many insurance companies were wary of providing cover for power-off autos in 206's fitted with high gear (into which category the pop-outs fitted).

I imagine that with fixed floats (and unless one was landing on water or ice or performing a zero-forward-speed touch down) one might just end up on one's nose!

Hi Hughesy: I can't remember when he did this, but at a guess perhaps 20yrs ago??? Anyone?

Ironically - Mike MS lost an engine in his 206 crossing the channel a while after making this programme - and by all accounts did a superb EOL. No-one hurt.

EOLs
 

Sure agree ... a great piece of 'theater flying' by Mike and an absolute joy to see his precision handling. Just a pity the finished product as broadcast included too many clips where Mike was NOT in autorotation, but that is the film business as we all know.

I would still take the view that where a precision target landing is necessary, especially when surrounded by obstructions, the 'constant attitude' method is more likely to be successful.

Going back to the MD 500 EOL demonstrations. I agree with 500 that neither approached anything like what can be achieved by a type experienced handler. I teach and expect my pilots to make a zero ground speed touch down at anything other than max AUW or L & V wind conditions.

Some pruners might know of the 2005 WHC event, where I attempted to touch down 'skids on' to coincide exactly with Ravel's famous 'last bar slide into A Major' finish to his Bolero. The manoeuvre occupied precisely 13 seconds from 400 feet to skids on the ground. Don't ask me why I keep such useless facts in my head!

And lovely to see dear old G-SHCC floating around, the second of Starline Helicopters SH series Jetrangers which was sold to that affable Welshman Gwyn Humphries circa 1988 ... and as we all love original registrations here, the others 206s in the series being, SHBB, SHJJ, SHRR, SHVV and the Mark Thatcher SHZZ. Take care all and a really, merry and happy Christmas. God bless us ... everyone!

Dennis K.