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  #1  
Old 09-09-2012, 10:06 AM
aa777888 aa777888 is offline
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Default The bad part of the the height-velocity diagram...

...is where I want to fly!

I've been studying up on my helicopter aerodynamics in preparation to starting training (add-on to my PPSEL) and I've realized that I only want to fly a helicopter in the bad parts of the height-velocity diagram! It would seem that all the cool things helicopters can do are in that part of the diagram. What am I missing here?

Thanks,

aa
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  #2  
Old 09-09-2012, 10:35 AM
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helipaddy helipaddy is offline
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aa,

It looks like you haven't missed a thing, it looks like helicopter flying is not for you. maybe you should try some other way to be in "the bad part of the height-velocity diagram" like one of these:

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  #3  
Old 09-09-2012, 10:41 AM
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What's so bad about it? BTDT. Had engines quit too in it, Still here. Just remember to get the collective down & time your pull at the bottom. or hover with a head wind . (the H/V curve is a piece "o" cheese)
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  #4  
Old 09-09-2012, 10:54 AM
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Default try ballooning!

When I want to fly very, very slowly at 75 to 200 feet, I put away my helicopter and pull out the hot air balloon. It's much safer than a rotorcraft in that region, and the people nearby will all smile and wave instead of phoning-in a noise complaint.
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  #5  
Old 09-09-2012, 11:01 AM
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pallen_001 pallen_001 is offline
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Default Risk

aa
I have been a professional helicopter pilot for many years now. The height/velocity diagram is where I make my money. One of my all knowing instructors once said, " If you fly a helicopter like an airplane, it is safer than an airplane, but if you fly it like a helicopter... there are many times you are just hanging out there hoping the engine doesn't quit!" It is a matter of mitigating any risk you can, and accepting the rest. When I fly long line, vertical reference, powerline patrol, EMS, Etc... there are times when you just have to trust the machine. It is a GREAT job but if you are not willing to take the risk, find a normal job and use the money to fly for fun.

I'm not trying to be harsh or discouraging but this is something you need to consider. If you would like to have an in depth conversation about it, I will be back in the States the middle of Oct, give me a call at 765-235-9290 and I would be happy to discuss it further.

Peter
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  #6  
Old 09-09-2012, 01:00 PM
aa777888 aa777888 is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by pallen_001 View Post
aa
I have been a professional helicopter pilot for many years now. The height/velocity diagram is where I make my money. One of my all knowing instructors once said, " If you fly a helicopter like an airplane, it is safer than an airplane, but if you fly it like a helicopter... there are many times you are just hanging out there hoping the engine doesn't quit!" It is a matter of mitigating any risk you can, and accepting the rest. When I fly long line, vertical reference, powerline patrol, EMS, Etc... there are times when you just have to trust the machine. It is a GREAT job but if you are not willing to take the risk, find a normal job and use the money to fly for fun.

I'm not trying to be harsh or discouraging but this is something you need to consider. If you would like to have an in depth conversation about it, I will be back in the States the middle of Oct, give me a call at 765-235-9290 and I would be happy to discuss it further.

Peter
Peter,

Thank you very much for taking the time to write an intelligent and well thought out answer. I found it neither harsh nor discouraging. Quite the opposite in fact.

Your answer is pretty much what I thought, however it appears to be in the "unwritten" portion of the helicopter instruction syllabus, almost as if it's some sort of dirty little secret, which didn't make sense to me. Clearly many missions require flight in that part of the envelope. Not to minimize the risks, but I think I'm going to feel more confident even in "bad" parts of the diagram then I do when flying over northern New England, i.e. unending trees, in a single engine fixed wing, particularly at night.

I will not be flying professionally, it would be purely recreational. I have lots of places I can and want to go to by helicopter. Fixed wing destinations I have to "invent".

Publishing your phone number was incredibly generous, however you have provided me with sufficient information to understand the ramifications of the issue.

Thanks,

aa
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  #7  
Old 09-09-2012, 01:55 PM
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aa,

The Ultrasport 254 had/has a disk loating of only 1.52 lb/sq-ft. I has been said that without power it can autorotate to the ground, lift-off and re-land.


Dave
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  #8  
Old 09-09-2012, 02:18 PM
gyrojaro gyrojaro is offline
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dragonfly!what you want to fly probably must be build/developed first!ha,ha-you are not alone mate,keep dreaming or get to work now!
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  #9  
Old 09-09-2012, 04:53 PM
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Aa- When I was taking my helicopter lessons, I was under the impression that one NEVER enters the shaded HV part of the curve. But here is my instructor having me do max performance takeoffs out over solid trees. I was concerned why we were knowingly flying in the shaded part of the HV curve getting over the trees. I asked my instructor about it and he pointed out that it says to "minimize" the time you are in that part of the curve, but it being a helicopter, there are times you will be in it if you are performing these maneuvers. Stan
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  #10  
Old 09-09-2012, 10:57 PM
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What am I missing here?
Nuthn.
99% of heli mustern is dun over unlandable ground in the dark area. [ same area we use your gyros ]
But a smart opperater, who can read air currents, can reduce risk of damage by the same amount.
Thats why its not for the faint harted.

The heli is the most virsetile aircraft ever built.
Its also the least forgiven if your not awake.

Like Stan says, sumtimes you gota bite the bullet.
Thats why so many heli mustern blokes have lead tooth fillns.
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  #11  
Old 09-09-2012, 11:45 PM
Ronnie328 Ronnie328 is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by birdy View Post
The heli is the most virsetile aircraft ever built.
I think the Space Shuttle is. Flies in air. Flies in space. Now THAT is versitility! :-p
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  #12  
Old 09-10-2012, 12:44 AM
birdy birdy is offline
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Bet you couldnt land it on me pad n TO agin tho.
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  #13  
Old 09-10-2012, 09:53 AM
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If it took off from your pad, there wouldn't be any pad left. Nor much of anything else for a pretty big radius. Six million pounds of thrust would make quite a hole.






(they protect the launch pads in Florida by dumping huge amounts of water on them as the rocket engines ignite, which is what makes that billowing white cloud you see at lift off)
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Old 09-10-2012, 10:45 PM
Ronnie328 Ronnie328 is offline
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I like that we're also shuttle lovers.
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  #15  
Old 09-11-2012, 04:50 AM
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Lost a good friend on Columbia in 2003.
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