Advice For Mountain Flying

[Sisyphus]

Advice

 

The situation frequently arises in which one wants to approach and land on a ridge across which the wind is blowing perpendicularly. To approach the intended point of landing directly into the wind results in the last several hundred metres of the approach facing the ridge. If it is necessary to abort the approach, a likely cause of which would be turbulence generated by the ridge, a turn of at least ninety degrees is required and if a descent is also begun, the machine may encounter downdraft.

 

The solution is to approach the intended point of landing perpendicular to the wind with the wind on the left. In machines with American rotor rotation, this has the advantage of assisting left pedal. The machine can flown directly over and along the ridge or slightly in front of it, maintaining the flight path in smooth air and permitting the pilot to roll to the left only a few degrees and easily clear terrain if such action is required.

 

Try to reduce airspeed to slightly above translation several hundred metres back. Make the approach as flat as possible and apply power smoothly and well in advance. Avoid rapid, last second applications of power. As the machine slows do not try to keep the nose pointing straight ahead but let it weathercock into the wind as airspeed is reduced. This will probably result in the helicopter travelling sideways across the ground for the last part of the approach but if the breeze is sufficient, little or even no left pedal need be used. The other great advantage of this is that the landing spot will be plainly visible out the window on pilot's door through which the visibility is much better than that forward.

 

The same method can be used on European machines except that the breeze is on the wrong side of the machine to assist right pedal. To make the approach with the wind on the right results in the landing spot being on the side of the machine opposite the pilot. This is very awkward as the pilot cannot see where she is going.

 

If at any time the pilot experiences discomfort with the progress of the approach, she can escape by rolling only a few degrees to the left and be directly into wind with several hundred or even several thousand metres of airspace beneath her.

 

The essential thing is that the nose of the aircraft be kept pointing directly into the wind at all times. Caution must be used in the presence of zephyrs. Light winds are often variable in direction. It takes very, very, very, very small change in wind direction to run out of pedal when landing at higher elevations on a warm day with a heavily loaded machine.

 

A wise pilot also uses the out of ground effect charts for mountain operations for the first approach to a ridge or pinnacle. Ground effect will not be acquired at a majority of mountain landing sites. After a landing spot has been used once and the pilot is familiar with the wind a terrain, it may be advisable to increase gross weight .

 

It is essential to know precisely the gross weight of the helicopter. The out of ground effect hovering charts should be kept at hand in the cokpit so the pilot can consult them if necessary. Air density can change rather drastically over surprisingly short vertical and horizontal distances in the mountains.

 

A wise pilot will also ensure that her site of intended landing is such that a level landing can promptly be made. A thorough reconnaissance will reveal the suitability of the landing site in this regard. It is folly to fiddle around to find a level spot on which to place the skids once the landing area has been attained.

 

This advice is rudimentary. The cited principles will be amongst the first discussed in any course of instruction on mountain flying.

[GoldMember]

I don't think that anyone needs to teach 4961 how to fly in the mountains.

[407 Driver]

Yes, 4961 is a talented pilot, This juggling/flying post must be some pathetic dig at 4961 over the detailed heli-ski info that he posted. Personally, I thought that 4961 did a great job on that post... (but then, what do I know? I only have 20+ years of skiing !)

 

Just Ignore Mr Sisyphus, and he may go away, he's a fairly harmless sort anyway, just a bit irritating every few weeks.

 

Idea I'll post a few [] {} <> (), that'll keep Sisy busy for a while

 

Stay tuned for the reaction, should be good, maybe we'll learn a NEW WORD ! This time, hopefully it will be one actually IN A DICTIONARY !

[snowedin]

or is that Geek!!??

[Skidz]

C'mon guys ! I honestly think Siss' has made remarkable progress lately. Take the high road and don't let yourself be goaded into escalating the verbal violence :down:

 

Let's keep it light and humourous, much more fun that way... :up:

[4961]

Cut and paste form what source there Siss? Plagiarism?

 

The info that I posted is what I wrote. How about yours?

 

The question stands, have you ever done any heliskiing?

 

If you've got something against me then so be it. It's not going to stop me from trying to help others out. I've got lots to learn too, every day, and with some help from my friends on the forum here, I hope to keep on learning and not die trying.

 

 

So you cut and paste some instructions. Now go flying in the hills. Put your money where your mouth is.

If you do, give me a call, maybe I can give you some pointers and you won't have to make the mistakes that I made. And if you have all the answers, still give me a call, 'cause I have lots of questions.

[4961]

I must have fallen asleep for awhile...what is this post really about?

 

Since it appears to be directly pointed at 4961, I guess I shouldn't poke my nose into it.

But then again, the source it's coming from seems to be an invite for trouble.

 

So Sisyphus....are you trying to actually teach 4961 to juggle and/or fly in the mountains, or are you flaming some sort of insult in his direction?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

More info in the Heliski Post as well from HERE

[Over-Talk]

Hissyfit, that was very good mountain flying information, as was 4961's initial post.

As with all mountain flying, that form of approach may work on some days but not others.

However, the more good stuff we have to use, the better (and safer) we will be. Thank-you.

 

But why did you have to add the sarcastic crap about her juggling ??

You are constantly destroying your own credibility, and what could have been a useful post.

If you have something light, constructive and informative to say, please say it, as that is why we are here.

Anything other than that, keep it to yourself.

[Rosco]

Orginal post split.

 

Title edited for content.

 

LETS KEEP THE PERSONAL STUFF OUTTA HERE. :angry:

 

R

[helicopterjim]

It is essential to know precisely the gross weight of the helicopter

Dang! After 10,000 hours and now you tell me!