Helicopters and underslung loads
Discussion
Hi
Just watching the news about the dam in Derbyshire and looking at the flying being done by the Chinook helicopters. I have some flying experience - Fixed wing PPL - and looking what the pilots were doing did give me a few questions
When you are flying with a load like that, 6 tons or so swinging about, can you feel it when you are manoeuvring - accelerating, slowing, turning etc
When you drop the bags does the helicopter want to go straight up and you have to control it
How does this load affect CofG, do you have to drop the bags in a fixed sequence
Many thanks
Just watching the news about the dam in Derbyshire and looking at the flying being done by the Chinook helicopters. I have some flying experience - Fixed wing PPL - and looking what the pilots were doing did give me a few questions
When you are flying with a load like that, 6 tons or so swinging about, can you feel it when you are manoeuvring - accelerating, slowing, turning etc
When you drop the bags does the helicopter want to go straight up and you have to control it
How does this load affect CofG, do you have to drop the bags in a fixed sequence
Many thanks
yes, is a simple answer to all your questions, the back seat guys, loadies and aircrewmen watch the load, talk to the monkeys and tell the monkeys where to place the aircraft to get the loads in the right place.
All in all the pilots skill and the accuracy of the con are key, there is a movement after you drop a load.
There are different ways to control the load flying and dampen swing and oscillation, worst happens you let it go cheaper than loosing the aircraft and crew.
the pilots have the release button so they compensate for the reaction when they press the button.
All in all the pilots skill and the accuracy of the con are key, there is a movement after you drop a load.
There are different ways to control the load flying and dampen swing and oscillation, worst happens you let it go cheaper than loosing the aircraft and crew.
the pilots have the release button so they compensate for the reaction when they press the button.
AW111 said:
ecsrobin said:
The chinook can lift its own weight near enough:
Does that imply 1g vertical acceleration (max) when unloaded?Presume the pilot of the second chopper is buying the drinks?
Mr E said:
Wiki reckons approx 10 tons empty, 22 tons max. So no fuel in the one being lifted and not much in the helicopter actually lifting, just about.
Presume the pilot of the second chopper is buying the drinks?
No blades, no engines. Probably plenty of other heavy parts removed. I’d doubt that load weighs 4 tons. Presume the pilot of the second chopper is buying the drinks?
I did my work experience at raf odiham
In 1990 and was humbled to have been taken up in a Chinook, and we moved a few heavy loads up to greenham common etc
Got to sit by the centre lift hook and dangle my feet whilst watching a Land Rover pirouette around underneath then got to walk down to the rear door on a harness whilst it was down
Very strange standing in the rear opening watching the world fly by
it is a memory I will never ever forget and it was a shame that my father had to pass away the very same week he was so proud I went up in one,
I found out he passed away in the morning and I had a military police ride home, dad worked shifts and was due home to take me but was late home and was given a lift in by his colleague instead, of course I had no idea what was really happening, they were absolutely gobsmacked when I arrived the next day, I told them my dad was proud I was here
And that I have come back today because it’s what he would of wanted, to this day I struggle to understand how I managed that. I’m not sure I could be that strong again today and every time one of those chinooks fly over my house which they do most days
It all comes flooding back in a good way
It’s almost like a guardian angel lol sounds stupid doesn’t it
In 1990 and was humbled to have been taken up in a Chinook, and we moved a few heavy loads up to greenham common etc
Got to sit by the centre lift hook and dangle my feet whilst watching a Land Rover pirouette around underneath then got to walk down to the rear door on a harness whilst it was down
Very strange standing in the rear opening watching the world fly by
it is a memory I will never ever forget and it was a shame that my father had to pass away the very same week he was so proud I went up in one, I found out he passed away in the morning and I had a military police ride home, dad worked shifts and was due home to take me but was late home and was given a lift in by his colleague instead, of course I had no idea what was really happening, they were absolutely gobsmacked when I arrived the next day, I told them my dad was proud I was here
And that I have come back today because it’s what he would of wanted, to this day I struggle to understand how I managed that. I’m not sure I could be that strong again today and every time one of those chinooks fly over my house which they do most days
It all comes flooding back in a good way
It’s almost like a guardian angel lol sounds stupid doesn’t it
Fluid said:
I’d wager the engines are in it.
The engines, in their containers, will weigh well over 400kg each. Obviously I could be very wrong, but that airframe with (maybe) both main gearboxes in, will be close to the maximum load for the Chinook. Anyone have a source for the story behind the photo?
Tony1963 said:
Fluid said:
I’d wager the engines are in it.
The engines, in their containers, will weigh well over 400kg each. Obviously I could be very wrong, but that airframe with (maybe) both main gearboxes in, will be close to the maximum load for the Chinook. Anyone have a source for the story behind the photo?
Blades can be packed into boxes and shoved inside the cab. If I remember correctly it was more important to get the blades back first but that might be completely wrong.
Engines have been removed from the slung cab in the pic, obviously, but I can't see if they or the blades are inside.
Numbers are rusty so may misquote but from memory:
Max underslung is 11,340kg based on sling limit. Centre hook can take slightly more though. Max underslung with both front and aft hooks is 10,500kg (eg iso container) Most I ever underslung from the centre hook was about 9,500 kg, a JCB for a short distance.
When flying with USLs the aircraft will be pulled about by a swinging load, spinning or swinging loads can often be settled by slowing or putting a turn in.
There are speed limits depending on the USL type.
Engines have been removed from the slung cab in the pic, obviously, but I can't see if they or the blades are inside.
Numbers are rusty so may misquote but from memory:
Max underslung is 11,340kg based on sling limit. Centre hook can take slightly more though. Max underslung with both front and aft hooks is 10,500kg (eg iso container) Most I ever underslung from the centre hook was about 9,500 kg, a JCB for a short distance.
When flying with USLs the aircraft will be pulled about by a swinging load, spinning or swinging loads can often be settled by slowing or putting a turn in.
There are speed limits depending on the USL type.
Engines are off obviously (they won't be stored inside)
No way will blades be inside either, too much weight (350 ish lbs each)
Front gearbox is still in (the forward rotor head attaches to it and is still there). Impossible to say for the other gearboxes but id guess still fitted as time consuming to remove them.
It'll have no fuel in and as much removed from the cabin as possible (ballistic protection/seats etc)
Lifting aircraft will be low on fuel and minimal kit/personnel inside also.
No way will blades be inside either, too much weight (350 ish lbs each)
Front gearbox is still in (the forward rotor head attaches to it and is still there). Impossible to say for the other gearboxes but id guess still fitted as time consuming to remove them.
It'll have no fuel in and as much removed from the cabin as possible (ballistic protection/seats etc)
Lifting aircraft will be low on fuel and minimal kit/personnel inside also.
Edited by DuraAce on Tuesday 6th August 07:14
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