A while back an Apache was in the area and the pilot got a warning light. They put it down at the local airport and called for the mechanics to come out. They were out of Ft. Rucker, so I sat and talked to the pilots for a while as they were waiting for the mechanics to show up.
Those things are very intimidating when you are close up to them...
An interesting note though, the mechanics were not military guys... they were contractors. However, they get to fly the military helicopters... they showed up in one of the base Blackhawks. After they had the hose on, one of the mechanics said, "I'll make a hop to make sure that fixed it...."
He cranks up, lifts off, then takes off down the runway wide ass open... flies it at about 10' all the way down to the end of the runway, pulls the nose up, climbs out to about 500' at near vertical, stands on the tail rotor pedals to make a hammer head turn, dives back down to the runway, comes zipping back in and sets it down.
The military pilots were cracking up and said... "Well, I guess it's fixed."
During all this a few more people had stopped and were talking to the pilots and mechanics. They were very friendly...
Finally they took off with both helicopters, but they did one more thing for the onlookers.... they took off in formation, climbed out for a while, then circled back around at top speed... dove both helicopters towards us, leveling off about treetop level, buzzing us all very nicely.
Man, something about those sinister looking helicopters coming straight at you at high speed... it makes your heart jump up in your throat even when you knew they're the good guys.
[ June 12, 2010, 09:58 AM: Message edited by: Jon Jantz ]
-------------------- Jon Jantz Snappysign.com jjantz21@gmail.com http://www.allcw.com Posts: 3395 | From: Atmore, AL | Registered: Nov 2005
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-------------------- John Arnott El Cajon CA 619 596-9989 signgraphics1@aol.com http://www.signgraphics1.com Posts: 1443 | From: El Cajon CA usa | Registered: Dec 1998
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Apaches are very badass. One year at the annual McDonnell Douglas air show in St Louis during the 4th of July festival, a pilot pulled an Apache into a full 360 degree loop like it was an aerobatic airplane. I think the Apache is one of the few, if not the *only* helicopters that can pull off inverted flight.
I've just gotten into RC helo's which are a real trip. Half the time I'm crashing the damn thing and the other half of the time I'm not sure how it's staying in the air. It's either got some anti-gravity trick or artificial intelligence that turns on and off at random.
-------------------- "If I share all my wisdom I won't have any left for myself."
Mike Pipes stickerpimp.com Lake Havasu, AZ mike@stickerpimp.com Posts: 8746 | From: Lake Havasu, AZ USA | Registered: Jun 2000
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Mike, I've flown R/C airplanes for over 20 years, but recently started flying helicopters as well..... they are a whole different animal. I've heard helicopter pilots say hovering a helicopter is like trying to stand on a beach ball in the Gulf of Mexico..... now I know what they're talking about!
-------------------- Jon Jantz Snappysign.com jjantz21@gmail.com http://www.allcw.com Posts: 3395 | From: Atmore, AL | Registered: Nov 2005
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Jon, heh.. this helo is my first ever introduction to RC flight.. hahaha!
It's actually not too bad to hover this one. It's a coaxial rotor micro sized electric, and I have it tuned in so it will maintain position without any input on the transmitter. The only thing that makes it drift is ceiling fans or the air conditioner kicking on - cause at 12 inches total length it's strictly an indoor flyer.
Of course that means every couch, chair, shelf, TV set (oh how many times have I crashed into the TV!) and pampered bicycle becomes quite an obstacle course.
-------------------- "If I share all my wisdom I won't have any left for myself."
Mike Pipes stickerpimp.com Lake Havasu, AZ mike@stickerpimp.com Posts: 8746 | From: Lake Havasu, AZ USA | Registered: Jun 2000
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