Helicopters

[Maydup]

In light of the awful news of yesterdays helicopter crash in Leicester, and the number of similar tragic accidents involving these light private machines, do you they are suitable form of transport?

[emmie]

i honestly wouldn't get in one if it was a gift, far too dangerous.

[diddlydo]

Chinooks from RAF Benson fly over our village all the time - I hate them!

[retrocop]

You’ve got problems? Lol.
My house is directly under the designated flightpath for inbound/outbound helicpters for London. We have Epsom race course 4 miles up the road so it gets non-stop traffic then + if there is a world crisis we get chinooks flying with NATO bosses in and out of HMS Northwood

[New Judge]

NJ: “A helicopter that suffers an engine failure will "auto rotate"….It's rather like a fixed-wing aircraft gliding after loss of engine power.”

Eddie: “ They can not glide as a fixed wing aircraft can.”

So who is right?:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autorotation

An extract: “The most common use of autorotation in helicopters is to safely land the aircraft in the event of an engine failure or tail-rotor failure. It is a common emergency procedure taught to helicopter pilots as part of their training.”

It could be argued that a helicopter suffering an engine failure is actually better placed to land safely than a fixed wing aircraft. A fixed-wing aircraft has to maintain forward speed to avoid stalling and needs a far greater clear and reasonably flat surface on which to put down. A helicopter can land on any reasonably flat open space not much bigger than the aircraft itself. In both cases much depends on a suitable landing area but a helicopter will not "drop like a stone" unless its transmission is seized.

[Baldric]

I have flown in quite a few over the years, often the concern about the destination outweighed any concern about how you were travelling there.

[Prudie]

I can understand that Baldric. Chinooks I also find the worst, heavens knows how they stay up there. Slightly coincidental last Thursday at work I rushed out with my camera because 2 Chinooks and an Apache circled my workplace about 5 times, was quite a spectacle.

[Maydup]

I know nothing about helicopters and although I've never been in one, its only because the opportunity hasn't come my way. But I am wondering if there is a fundamental difference between these pleasure copters that the wealthy people have for private use, and the bigger work horses that go to the oil rigs or used by the military? We hear of more instances involving the former.

I've always thought if its good enough for the Queen its good enough for me, but beginning to change my mind!

[Smowball]

Mr Smow booked me a helicopter ride a few years ago as a surprise birthday present. I was absolutely horrified but had to go on it as he was so pleased with his idea. Was terrified the whole time.

[TonyV]

As a pleasure flight I would always opt for a hot air balloon ride

[TonyV]

maydup all aircraft are subject to stringent service requirements and inspections

[retrocop]

Balders
I bet the air went blue when the Commando Brigade learnt of the loss of the Atlantic Conveyor. I have learnt those DMS boots were’nt made for yomping :-(

[jackthehat]

My son is in the Army Air Corps and has flown a variety of helicopters. He is firmly of the opinion that a well-maintained, well-piloted helicopter is just as safe as any aeroplane. Although, it took me quite some time before I was comfortable with his choice....

[Baldric]

For those who don't know,
Atlantic Conveyor was a British merchant navy ship, registered in Liverpool, that was requisitioned during the Falklands War. She was hit on 25 May 1982 by two Argentine air-launched AM39 Exocet missiles, killing 12 sailors. Atlantic Conveyor sank whilst under tow on 28 May 1982.
I have fond memories of those boots . . . . not!

[Zacs-Master]

You have to look at the millions (yes, millions) of hours that helicopters around the globe fly. They’re still a very safe mode of transport. Mrs Zacs loves them ever since our buzz round Manhattan a few years ago.

[New Judge]

Quite so, Zacs. Any mode of civilian (and indeed most military non-combatant) aircraft travel is far safer than travelling by road. When I travel by air the most hazardous part of my journey is getting to the airport in a taxi. If I arrive there unscathed I've made it as far as I am concerned.

[shoota]

My son's boss has two helicopters.
If the first one crashes and kills him he still has the other one to use.
Erm….

[sherrardk]

I don't know about the safety's side of things but I love helicopters. I live right next to a v busy army base and see helicopters most days - they parachute and parascend from them. A couple of times a week there will be a visiting Chinook (sometimes two) anecdotes occasionally an Osprey (or two) - v ugly but ultra cool (especially at night). I've been in a Lynx helicopter which was terrifying and brilliant.

[Jackdaw33]

The late Queen Mother was not enamoured of helicopters until she was persuaded to take a ride in one. Her comment?:

The chopper has transformed my life, much as it did for Anne Boleyn.

[retrocop]

Programme on Discovery History Now about Chinnook Bravo November in the Falklands War. Just shows how rugged and reliable they are.Saw service in Iraq many years laterand now retired.Started 2000 hrs