skilled/crazy pilot
Discussion
Can't see much wrong with the descent. Turbine engines so sling them into Beta and down you go.
Landings like that happen a lot in this line of work - Glider Tugs are normally not wings level until 50-100ft within the boundary fence. Experienced jockeys i've seen come into the flare then retract the flaps to park it exactly where they want as the wings level out. You wouldn't do it on a gusty day, but i'd reason that the day that was filmed was high pressure, slack flow and little wind.
Landings like that happen a lot in this line of work - Glider Tugs are normally not wings level until 50-100ft within the boundary fence. Experienced jockeys i've seen come into the flare then retract the flaps to park it exactly where they want as the wings level out. You wouldn't do it on a gusty day, but i'd reason that the day that was filmed was high pressure, slack flow and little wind.
Compared with what can be achieved in a helicopter in a tight turn and in autorotation, the descent is quite tame. However, he could have achieved the same time-saving, almost, and a great deal more safety, by making his finals turn 200' higher and from a wider spacing. I bet he was doing this for the camera and mostly does a more sensible approach in the last minute.
It's quite an old vid - also here with a better sound track - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gWzXlZXURHQ
Would have been interesting to have seen the ASI and VSI readings. But, as said, helicopters can do some pretty amazing descents in auto, and land on a postage stamp.
Would have been interesting to have seen the ASI and VSI readings. But, as said, helicopters can do some pretty amazing descents in auto, and land on a postage stamp.
Having seen the "final" approach and landing, I would say that was a very skilled pilot. HOWEVER, whether he would live to be really old doing that all the time is a good question.
On the matter of helicopters in autorotation, I flew the Westland Scout for about 3 years. In a 45 degree-bank turn in autorotation, you could put the VSI off the clock. Cannot remember whether it was 3000 or 6000 fpm, but it was mighty impressive; it also made a wonderful noise while doing so.!! Good fun!! After time on the Scout, all other helicopters were tame in autorotation.
Apologies for migrating from the main thread into nostalgia
On the matter of helicopters in autorotation, I flew the Westland Scout for about 3 years. In a 45 degree-bank turn in autorotation, you could put the VSI off the clock. Cannot remember whether it was 3000 or 6000 fpm, but it was mighty impressive; it also made a wonderful noise while doing so.!! Good fun!! After time on the Scout, all other helicopters were tame in autorotation.
Apologies for migrating from the main thread into nostalgia
AER said:
At 24" he goes past the parachutists!Taita said:
I'm a jumper and I don't see it as that bad - you want to go to Empuriabrava in Spain and watch the Pilatus Porter land after despatching everyone.
Looks fine
Agree! I took a ride down in the porter during AFF when the wind picked up. Literally sat on the back of the pilot seat on the way down. Crazy ride.Looks fine
After that, had countless "Race you down" episodes when last out of the Porter. He beat me most of the time!
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