Thread: Can You Believe?

I wonder why rocket tip helicopters like the fairey rotodyde never replaced helis with tail rotors, they are more reliable, easier to fly, faster and lift more. They would be perfect for search and rescue.


http://www.tecaeromex.com/ingles/RH-i.htm

Re: Helos - As others have said it's not so simple as picking up a few hitch-hikers!

The news chopper was probably a little Squirrel or something, and probably already full to the brim with crew and gear! Helicopters are not like utes - you can't just pile more Ethiopians on the back and let the bump stops pick up the slack. Too much weight = not enough lift = splat.

The pilot no doubt radioed in the location straight away. As for picking up an observer, I doubt it was the crew's idea. The authorities probably wanted a trained eye in the sky to give them an insight. Hell, it's not like the chopper crew had anything else they could do...

As for the Police not having a helicopter, why is that relevant? EMQ as the primary aeromedical rescue agency has a fleet of Helicopters, and there are another 5(?) providers (Westpac et al). It's not like there are no helos around. What does it matter if it says EMQ or Police on the side when you are dangling 50m above the River? Even so, another 10 choppers could have been available, and it probably still would have made no difference to that family. They were lucky that they were spotted at all, by anyone. Want to venture a guess how many weren't so lucky?

As for digging out a handful of ancient second hand Hueys... Surely you jest! Next everyone would be complaining about the cost of maintenance and why they have second rate helos! Don't get me wrong - I'm a huge fan of the sky truck. Hitched a hook out of a pickle from a 412 (Hueys younger 4 rotor'd brother) a few years ago myself - but they are getting on a bit.

Current trend seems to be towards Agusta AW139s. NSW has a few and I saw at least one in what looked to be EMQ livery on the news the other day. (addit - just checked and turns out all 3 EMQ whirly birds are AW139s.)

PS - Yes, Dauphin = yum.