Reply to: helicopter blades

[Churchill]

Well, he was a redneck so he probably wouldn't have been that keen on LL Cool J.

That and the fact you would've confused the locals, they'd all start smacking their bitches up!

(Just thought I'd address one stereotype with another...)

[Moscow Mule]

Didn't they blast AC/DC Back in Black from the helicopter whilst searching for the Black Hawk Down pilot?

Well, he was a redneck so he probably wouldn't have been that keen on LL Cool J.

[Pondlife]

Didn't they blast AC/DC Back in Black from the helicopter whilst searching for the Black Hawk Down pilot?

[Moscow Mule]

Do they also instruct on how to play "Ride of the Valkyries" at 130dB on the way in?

I believe the modern choice is something from the Rap genre, perhaps "Momma said knock you out"?

[EternalOptimist]

Except if you're a yank. Shock and awe and all that. Cretins.

??

The idea is that when you get into a conflict, you dont want a fight, you want a walkover. You want it over quick and cheap.
If you frighten the other guy enough, you dont have to fight.

It's the follow-up where they screwed up, not the initial phase.

[Mich the Tester]

Yeah, the correct answer is "On your iPod when you get home"!

Except if you're a yank. Shock and awe and all that. Cretins.

[Churchill]

Do they also instruct on how to play "Ride of the Valkyries" at 130dB on the way in?

Yeah, the correct answer is "On your iPod when you get home"!

[Churchill]

Don't we have night over here also? It's a helicopter - you can pick your own altitude. If it's not higher, then go up a bit more!

Mountain flying is a little more complicated, there are the following to consider :-

- High altitude wind finding procedures including identification of Anabatic, Katabatic, convective and mechanical winds.
- Introduction to long line slinging and vertical reference flying.
- The circle & figure 8 reconnaissance.
- Determining precise landing spots.
- Contour flying.
- Mountain approaches and take-offs.
- Saddle, ridge, ledge, and pinnacle landings.
- Mountain heli-pads and platforms.
- Cirques and steep sloping valleys.
- Deep snow landings and whiteout procedures.
- Illusions and positive airspeed control.
- Boundary air movement.

These can be simulated at altitude in the UK but the Yanks have the real mountains to play with.

[EternalOptimist]

The King used to do it.

With his very own rubber stamp*... .



*(c)R. Waters.

Ah. it was just before dawn, one cold winters morn , in black '44

[TinTrump]

Regarding equipment. We should recall the Falklands War was in part precipitated by the intended withdrawal of HMS Endurance, by the Tory government, to save money. It gave the signal that the UK wasn't interested. The Task Force wouldn't have been possible if the war had started just a few months later as a carrier was to be sold (we only had 2) to, I think, Australia.

Where that gov. got it right was in having a defined and limited aim. When force of arms is required, a short, successful war is an ideal outcome.

EO's right in his observation. Brown goes for detail when he should look at the big picture. Major failing in his position.

[Moscow Mule]

This explains it all quite well.

Buy some ******* off the shelf helicopters Gordon. You *****.

[xoggoth]

Just as well this practice of writing to family of every casualty wasn't around in Field Marshal Hague's day.

[moorfield]

If it's not higher, then go up a bit more!

IIU Gordo correctly - that's the problem. They need to land and get their blades changed before they can go up higher.

[BoredBloke]

"The helicopter pilots have got to go to America to be trained in the high altitude and in night light."


So the country which practically invented night bombing and fighting and used it to devastating effect in WW2 has to send it´s helicopter pilots to the US to learn how to fly at night?

Don't we have night over here also? It's a helicopter - you can pick your own altitude. If it's not higher, then go up a bit more!

[AtW]

The Texas moron never wrote a single letter to a bereaved family, nor attended the repatriation of a single dead soldier.

USA army has got much better kit, Bush was moron but USA as a country invested plenty into helicopters and other stuff. The reason Presidents there don't write such letters are probably historical, plus their losses much higher due to bigger involvement so that's not practical.