Caco's trial helicopter flight.....

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Cacophonix · #241 Post by **Cacophonix** » Sat Dec 08, 2018 3:24 pm

When I can land in conditions like this then I might start to feel like I know what I am doing. Leaves me in awe of these guys and of those here who do or have done this kind of thing for a living...

http://digg.com/video/helicopter-landing-ship

Caco

G-CPTN · #242 Post by **G-CPTN** » Sat Dec 08, 2018 5:00 pm

Yesterday, when severe winds were forecast, I watched a distant bird making zero headway - then I realised that the breezes - though gusting - weren't that strong (as had been forecast).
The bird repositioned - whereupon I realised that it was a kestrel in the hover.
I watched for several minutes as it repositioned several times and then regained the stationary hover - a magnificent control over the elements.
We are used to seeing kestrels hovering in still air, but this is the first time I have noticed one doing so in gusty conditions.

Boac · #243 Post by **Boac** » Sat Dec 08, 2018 5:08 pm

When I can land in conditions like this

- sheesh! Just managed to prise my pink bottom off the button on my chair cushion.....

FD2 · #244 Post by **FD2** » Sat Dec 08, 2018 5:54 pm

Thanks for that Caco - first time I've seen the Seahawk clip. They'd better wash that aircraft down with lots of fresh water!

CharlieOneSix · #245 Post by **CharlieOneSix** » Sat Dec 08, 2018 8:49 pm

Great video Caco! FD2 - must bring back memories of your days on Antrim!

Weird that it doesn’t play on Firefox on my iPhone or iPad but does on a PC. Okay on Apple gear with Safari.

Cacophonix · #246 Post by **Cacophonix** » Wed Dec 12, 2018 3:57 pm

Noticed this first post on the helicopter thread on African Pilot magazine's new website.

https://www.africanpilot.co.za/apacom/v ... 8&p=24#p24

Some really swish machinery swashing about the plate there. Johannesburg certainly still is where the money is...

A little history on this place...

A new heliport is under construction in Waterfall City in Midrand – the first privately-owned purpose-built helicopter port in the country.

The project was first announced in 2016, when the build cost was estimated at R60 million, being developed in partnership between Ultimate Aviation and the National Airways Corporation (NAC).

The Department of Transport granted the heliport licence in August 2018.

According to the NAC, the heliport is being developed in two phases – the first phase on 32 hectares of land comprises 3,100 square meters of hangars, 2,800 square meters of office space, including a terminal building, VIP lounge facilities, a restaurant, fuel farm, EASA standard FATO (final approach and take off area) and parking pads for up to sixteen helicopters.

Phase two is expected to add more hangar space and more office space as is needed.

“The state-of-the-art facility, which will be used primarily for helicopter operations, maintenance and pilot training, is in an ideal location close to Johannesburg, Sandton, Centurion and Pretoria,” said NAC CEO, Martin Banner.

“Centralising our Helicopter Operations and Pilot Training Schools from Grand Central and Rand Airport to our own dedicated helicopter facility will allow the company to continue to grow and offer an even better and more convenient service to our helicopter owners, pilots and charter clients.”

NAC is South Africa’s leading and largest helicopter operator offering helicopter sales, helicopter charter, scenic helicopter flights, helicopter contracts and specialised operations, helicopter management, helicopter maintenance and pilot training.

The heliport is set to open at the end of November 2018.

As a Saffer it is pleasing to see news like this.

Caco

CharlieOneSix · #247 Post by **CharlieOneSix** » Wed Dec 12, 2018 4:27 pm

Wow - Ultimate Heliport - well named indeed! Excellent video! Forward thinking in respect of helicopters that you won't see in the UK! When the winds curls over those buildings I wonder what the turbulence is like on those pads just in front.

Boac · #248 Post by **Boac** » Wed Dec 12, 2018 5:26 pm

"I wonder what the turbulence is like on those pads just in front." Won't be long until we can dispatch Caco to check it out....

Cacophonix · #249 Post by **Cacophonix** » Wed Dec 12, 2018 5:37 pm

Boac wrote: ↑
Wed Dec 12, 2018 5:26 pm
"I wonder what the turbulence is like on those pads just in front." Won't be long until we can dispatch Caco to check it out....

Will definitely give that place the once over when I am next in Johannesburg, licenced or not!

In the interim I want one of these...

You have got to love the start up sequence when he trips the fuel alarm. "We'll just ignore that...!"

But holy smoke the thing is turbine engined and sounds wonderful. I expected that when he started it it up to hear something akin to a flea jumping around in a tin can but, my gosh, the full majesty of a turbine engine in such a small helicopter!

http://www.innovatortech.ca/

They do a twin cylinder piston as well.

Caco

Boac · #250 Post by **Boac** » Wed Dec 12, 2018 7:00 pm

That looks great!

Cacophonix · #251 Post by **Cacophonix** » Tue Dec 18, 2018 11:56 am

It is true, helicopter aviation folk are nicer than the rest! Just received a personally signed Christmas card from the folks at Thurstons. In all the years, I have never received anything like that from an aviation related outfit, training or otherwise!

My flying club sends out a curt reminder that the £170.00 subs are due for the following year and then complains about the muddy state of the aircraft that were flown from the grass in the previous week! Getting such a charming card was quite a shock I can tell you.

Caco

Cacophonix · #252 Post by **Cacophonix** » Sat Dec 22, 2018 1:45 pm

Weather beautiful. Parachuting school closed, few aircraft movements due to sodden grass runway. Runway 28 directly into moderate breeze. Sun shining. Perfect for helicopter tyro. Caco happy.

Circuits. circuits. circuits...

Caco

Boac · #253 Post by **Boac** » Sat Dec 22, 2018 5:22 pm

Well? How did it go? Come on - we are all following your progress avidly.

Cacophonix · #254 Post by **Cacophonix** » Sat Dec 22, 2018 5:48 pm

Boac wrote: ↑
Sat Dec 22, 2018 5:22 pm
Well? How did it go? Come on - we are all following your progress avidly.

Well, initially well and my instructor had taken to loafing back in his seat with his feet up on the coaming and took a selfie of us both and I began to suspect that he might get out but then I managed to cock up a hover and he glared at me (I suspect that if he had a newspaper handy he would have beaten me with it) so no, he didn't get out. He is good bloke and demands absolute accuracy. Half baked is not in his book so I feel bad about this and am back next week Saturday to prove my worth all over again.

Caco

Boac · #255 Post by **Boac** » Sat Dec 22, 2018 5:52 pm

You'll crack it!

Cacophonix · #256 Post by **Cacophonix** » Sat Dec 22, 2018 6:05 pm

Boac wrote: ↑
Sat Dec 22, 2018 5:52 pm
You'll crack it!

Cheers Boac.

Caco

CharlieOneSix · #257 Post by **CharlieOneSix** » Sat Dec 22, 2018 6:25 pm

Cacophonix wrote: ↑
Sat Dec 22, 2018 5:48 pm
....... (I suspect that if he had a newspaper handy he would have beaten me with it)........

My instructor at Linton on Chipmunks used to beat me about my bonedome when I cocked things up

. Sounds as though you're close to solo Caco - we await news next Saturday in great anticipation.....

FD2 · #258 Post by **FD2** » Sat Dec 22, 2018 6:34 pm

Yes Caco - fingers crossed for good weather next weekend. You'll hack it!

Wodrick · #259 Post by **Wodrick** » Sat Dec 22, 2018 6:49 pm

You'll hack it, if my little brother, who is a cack handed imbecile can then I'm sure you will. Luck.

Slasher · #260 Post by **Slasher** » Sat Dec 22, 2018 6:50 pm

Yeh Caco us old buggers who instruct get damn bloody fussy and exacting the older we get, so I can see where your bloke is coming from.

Like Boac I'm sure you'll crack it next time. You are a good and able airman who I'd be happy to load my family aboard with on a dark and stormy night. Well...maybe not stormy as eggbeaters don't fly well in raging thunderys much. In fact I don't think they do at all.

Please inform us asap of the good news next week that you were booted out of the heli-nest.

Ops-Normal.org

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