WKTaylor

RE the photo of the Robinson helo one-skid on the road, one skid-off the road both doors open… rotors turning/not-turning[?]… is BOGUS… cannot happen as shown… unless the pilot has a death wish.

1 reply

Steve_Miller

What are you talking about? I’ve landed (and parked) on hundreds of slopes. It’s required training for a PP-RC/H even. If your point was about the doors being open while the rotor turns, that’s more challenging to manage (because they can be blown forward if not managed, and difficult to grab from the pilot’s seat), but not even remotely a “death wish”.

1 reply

WKTaylor

Are we discussing the same photo with the LH skid off the roadway in rough uneven dirt-rock-vegetation filler… that appears-to-slope-off to the steel guard rail at the edge of a slope-drop-off? This is a classic set-up for a tail-rotor clash with… or skid contact with… the guard-rail… do to the slightest hiccup.

As I recall… Rule#1 in critical rescues [non-combat]… the rescuers must avoid becoming victims, who have to be rescued and/or recovered, too.

Hmmmm… IF You do this all the time… then are you solo?

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rpstrong

Open a copy of the image in a new tab, and zoom in. Three things should be apparent:

1. The image in the column is somewhat cropped across the bottom, losing a bit of context;
2. The shoulder is quite level and is, if anything, an inch or so above the road level. It is also firm enough to support the skid; and
3. Both seats are empty - hence the blade should be stationary, I’d think.

1 reply

Bill_B

Come to a low hover over the road (or what’s left of it), slide a little left, and set down. Use the reverse on the way out. If you can’t do it, you shouldn’t be flying helos. Perfectly safe.
And THANK YOU! to those participating in all areas of this lifesaving effort.

RationalityKeith

Thankyou.

I expect mountain operations often touch down with only one skid BUT pilot maintaining lift as weight changes from persons getting on or off or supplies offloaded.

Even on a ledge or hillside pad I’d want rotors turning with some lift generated.

May be part of mountain flying training, Okanagan Helicopters had a school for that in the Okanagan area of BC, I expect there’s one in Montana. (Definitely was a fixed-wing mountain flying school in MT or nearby.)

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rpstrong

I saw a picture of our local rescue group - the Riverside County Mountain Rescue Unit - performing such a maneuver. The copter was hovering next to the mountain with the front half of the pilot side skid resting on a convenient boulder which allowed access to the rear door. Wish it was video, but the still shot was very cool.

But what does single skid landing have to do with this situation? How do you do a single skid landing on level ground?

[I’m not a helo pilot; forgive me if that is s foolish question.]

Jzarinnia

Did I read that right? They are still asking for QuikClot and tourniquets? Are we still struggling with hemorrhaging?