Archive: October 2016
Battery powered helicopter*
Who would have thought?
For those who didn’t read about it, a company in California replaced the conventional powerplant on an R44 with lithium batteries and two electric motors.
And flew it for 5 minutes.
I wonder if my A&P certificate covers the maintenance on it. Or, maybe I will need to get an endorsement and have an AP&B certificate.
With all these electronic gizmos on the horizon, we’ll have to add reciprocating engines, hydro-mechanical systems, and pilots to the “back-in the-good-old-days” list along with dope & fabric, wooden M/R blades, and Loran C.
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ROTORwrench
Accidents happen, they say.
But in the helicopter flying world, these accidents can kill. It follows that the prudent helicopter pilot will always try and think ahead. To the "what if" scenarios. What if this-and-this happens? Then I will do THAT. Now you have actually thought about it. Beforehand. Maybe read something up on the subject. Seen it in "Moggy's Tuna Manual". Discussed it with a fellow pilot. You have digested it. For sure, you are now a much better pilot. But what of the sudden, cataclysmic events that you have never -ever- in your wildest dreams thought about? That happen so incredibly swiftly, that the events become almost surreal? Taking on a dream-like quality?
It is to be hoped that you never experience these events. But if you stay in the world of helicopters long enough, never mind the mercurial, quicksilver world of tuna spotting helicopters.... well, you will experience these nasty surprises, my friend, believe me, you will...
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Moggy's Musings
Prior to the flight portion of an FAA exam, the applicant will be tested on their knowledge and ability to conduct a preflight on the aircraft being tested. It is imperative that a pilot understand the systems of the aircraft they plan to operate. The ability to determine airworthiness can only be accomplished when the pilot has adequate knowledge of their aircraft and knows what to look for (normal vs. abnormal) during the preflight process.
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Rotorcraft Checkride
When I flew for the Royal Oman Police, the British, Scottish, and Australian pilots I had the pleasure to fly with had a lovely saying. Whenever they wanted to convey an idea, but wanted you to know that you may already know it, they would preface their statement by saying, “Now, I don’t want to teach Granny to suck eggs but….”
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My Two Cents Worth