Aviation BS and Photo Thread

I've seen seen that blurb about Helicopters before and it is mostly accurate but forgets about autorotation.
-Autorotation is the state of flight where the main rotor system is being turned by the force of the relative wind rather than engine power. It is the means by which a helicopter can be landed safely in the event of an engine failure.

 

Yeah…that’s not really a thing. It sounds good but isn’t anything comparable to a gliding airplane.

 

Sure it is, you just can’t glide as far.

 

No, it’s most definitely not. You are going to hit the ground in a bit fun way not very far from where the failure occurred. Having had engine failures in both fixed wing and helicopters I can assure you that it is nothing like trimming for max glide and having time to evaluate the situation and find a suitable landing area.

 

Well, you do trim for max glide, but you have to understand that max glide in a helicopter is quite similar to the max glide of a brick. Just saying...

 

Pretty much. At the highest typical cruising altitude and minimum rate of descent airspeed I will hit the ground in 4.5 seconds. Max glide distance airspeed reduces that to 3.5 seconds.

 

Well didn’t realize this was that serious of a group. Guess I’ll go back to my hanger lol

 

It’s not that serious, I just find there’s a very frequent misunderstanding of how autorotation works. Yes, it’s a glide, kinda, but at real helicopter altitude an engine failure means you’re going to the ground, now, right there, no matter what. In the PA28 when I was at 3500’ it was fairly uneventful. Plenty of time to turn to a direction I knew there was an airfield and glide for about four miles to get there.

 

Ok, who’s the comedian?

 

I can at least say he’s not gliding…..

 

I have no idea. I was outside for half an hour and never heard or saw anything. It was just there then gradually blew away.

 

Just realized you are in Buffalo, I have seen people posting they are advertising for the air show in Batavia.

 

Ya, I’m not a pro but it’s pretty windy today. I just don’t know.

 

Yeah, but those landings sure get sporty.

 

Meh, I've likely done similar in a C One Filthy...3 times on same approach lol

 

OK. . Whew

 

Man, I hoped they were coming to take me away but oh, well. Edit: this just in..https://www.defense.gov/News/Releas...the-all-domain-anomaly-resolution-office-web/

 

My new ride….