Helicopter practicing "something" at 06C

[Eclipse]

We have a unit and a group that meet at 06C, though I was just driving by this afternoon.

These gents were practicing "something" over the grass at the end of 11.  I saw it hovering
over the FBO from a fair distance, but what made me stop was the line with a weight or tube of
some kind hanging from the aircraft, nearly touching the ground.

At first I thought maybe they were doing a rooftop equipment installation in the area, until I saw the
4 guys, 2 on each side, standing on the landing struts - then I was hoping I might catch them roping down.
From the cars nearby, I think they were local PD of some kind, but I don't know for sure.

All they did, though, was hover for a few minutes, getting slowly close enough to me that I got pushed a
bit by the rotor wash. 

They landed for a couple of minutes, I heard one guy say "...that was the best..." and then I went on my way.
I missed the best shots, though, as they took off again and headed West, directly over my truck at about 300
feet, with the 4 guys still standing on the rails.  They were hauling butt, too.  Whatever they were doing those
guys were getting an awesome ride!

[a2capt]

Interesting how the rotor is in the same place each time

[NIN]

Interesting how the rotor is in the same place each time

Little known fact: The UH-1's rotor doesn't really spin, its an optical illusion.  Shhhhhh. Don't tell nobody.

[Flying Pig]

Looks like the pilot is practicing long lining and the guys on the skids are just along for the ride.  Maybe preping for STABO training.  were they ever carring anything on the line?  We do that all the time. lots O fun

[Eclipse]

Looks like the pilot is practicing long lining and the guys on the skids are just along for the ride.  Maybe preping for STABO training.  were they ever carring anything on the line?  We do that all the time. lots O fun

Nothing other then the tube on the end.  I was told offline that it was one of the ships from AirOne, a local 501c3 that provide helicopters
to local agencies.
http://www.airsupport.org/

[Flying Pig]

Oh yeah!  thats who it is.  I didnt realize you were in that area.  They just got a second Huey about a year ago but its going to take about $2.5 mil to get it running.

[vento]

Interesting how the rotor is in the same place each time

We are looking at a fixed wing aircraft with ski skids, Eclipse was just a little confused... 

[Eclipse]

In the background you can see the trails of the first missiles launched by the NKVD.

[Flying Pig]

Looks like the pilot is practicing long lining and the guys on the skids are just along for the ride.  Maybe preping for STABO training.  were they ever carring anything on the line?  We do that all the time. lots O fun

Nothing other then the tube on the end.  I was told offline that it was one of the ships from AirOne, a local 501c3 that provide helicopters
to local agencies.
http://www.airsupport.org/

You cant tell from the photo but its actually a wrap.  Its a large vinyl shot bag that wraps and velcros around the rope to give it weight and keeps the line more stable when it doesnt have a load. Other wise it just flys all over the place in the wind.  They come in different weights.  I think our shot bag is 25lbs. 

[ol'fido]

1. Anybody remember the one James Bond movie where he almost gets sliced and diced by a tree trimming rig hanging underneath a helicopter. They had one at the local airport(H96) this summer being hauled by a Hughes 500. I got to go out and take a good look at it. Wicked.

2. Just a few weeks ago, we also had a Chinook land there at night. We often get traffic in from Ft. Campbell which is about 120 miles SSW. I have seen MH-60s and MH-47s there before.

[Eclipse]

1. Anybody remember the one James Bond movie where he almost gets sliced and diced by a tree trimming rig hanging underneath a helicopter. They had one at the local airport(H96) this summer being hauled by a Hughes 500. I got to go out and take a good look at it. Wicked.

I've seen them using those around here as well - trimming around power lines.  Very cool.

[Flying Pig]

Takes a few to load.... but worth it.  The Aérospatiale Alouette is pretty much a lifting BEAST! 


Heli Saws / Helicopter Tree-Trimming Operations on Vimeo

[NIN]

Wow. an Alouette (one of my fav european helos).. the best of a Bell 47 married to a turbine.

Those guys are good. Amazing they maneuver like that with the rotor disc just feet away from other trees.  That guy has good spatial awareness.