Beats the hell out of Enterprise.
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Hot new helicopter/rotorcraft news
- Thread starter Randy Daytona
- Start date
I've never partaken, but I have spent some time in Montgomery. Thankfully we left just as we were running out of restaurants.
This has happened from time to time recently. Usually the pilot has enough lower level, ingrained habit that they're able to get it on the ground despite the rest of the brain turning off (this sounds like a stroke). The fact that they crashed is, unfortunately, the new news here, but bravo to the medic.
Looking at those pictures of a -130, that looks like the aircraft to have this happen in with a patient. Getting forward into the cockpit in most other aircraft is not "easy." Many a discussion has been had at work about ripping a seat out or even trying to shimmy forward with the doors open to get into the cockpit, with the hope of then running through the incapacitated pilot checklist.
So that's a thing? Is this a AAMS thing or FAA requirement?
Phrogs Phorever...
In addition to Columbia Helicopters selling refurbished KV-107's for HeliSwiss and others, the Nigerians will receive 12 KV-107s from Saudi Arabia. Phrogs are here for several more decades.
"Air reinforcement: Nigeria beefs up its logistics with 12 KV-107 helicopters"
"The Nigerian army is preparing to receive a fleet of 12 Kawasaki KV-107 heavy-lift helicopters from Saudi Arabia. This strategic transfer aims to fill a critical gap in tactical mobility and accelerate the deployment of troops in theatres of counter-terrorism operations."
https://www.alwihdainfo.com/Renforc...ique-avec-12-helicopteres-KV-107_a147420.html
In addition to Columbia Helicopters selling refurbished KV-107's for HeliSwiss and others, the Nigerians will receive 12 KV-107s from Saudi Arabia. Phrogs are here for several more decades.
"Air reinforcement: Nigeria beefs up its logistics with 12 KV-107 helicopters"
"The Nigerian army is preparing to receive a fleet of 12 Kawasaki KV-107 heavy-lift helicopters from Saudi Arabia. This strategic transfer aims to fill a critical gap in tactical mobility and accelerate the deployment of troops in theatres of counter-terrorism operations."
https://www.alwihdainfo.com/Renforc...ique-avec-12-helicopteres-KV-107_a147420.html
I'm surprised that Columbia hasn't jumped on this fleet. But perhaps this is a geo political move. Maintaining these aircraft will take skilled labor. Nigeria lacks this.
Thats cool. These aircraft were barely flown. I interviewed for a contract IP position flying these aircraft back in ~2003 ish. While the pay was good, the job itself did not look appealing. But I remember hearing these aircraft were pristine in every way and barely flew.
Look at that spares package!
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This will be interesting to follow. I wonder what the Saudi's are getting for this "strategic transfer?" And who knows if Columbia and their partner Piasecki might still might have a piece of this action.
Perhaps something we said in the '80's is still true today, that the last Phrog pilot has yet to be born.
These aircraft have between 2.5k and 7k flight hours each, since new. This is an amazing set of aircraft, and then you add in the "tons" of spares including new engines and transmissions. And I'd have killed to have one bird with their VIP package.
Those are pretty sweet birds. Love the VIP set up…with a nice paint job I’d look cool flying that to a Patriots game. Still, I’d need @PhrogPhlyer and @ChuckMK23 to run me through a mini FRS,
It's certificate specific and voluntary. There's been some limited noise in the last few years from industry about it, but not anywhere near the level of say, SMS (before it was officially codified recently).
Different pilots have different comfort levels, but when I run through it with crew members, I'll have them do everything, including manipulating the collective so they can see how sensitive it is. I'll make it a point to show the newer guys what the nose will do and how trying to push on my knees to move the pedals is an option, but not an easy one (I'll have them actually push on my legs to demo it).
Having a fairly robust coupled autopilot is a big plus, even if it is only 2-axis. I'll tell them they should probably expect for us to roll on touch down, but if they can get us slowed down, it's better to roll at 40-50 knots than 80 knots.
Helicopter Institute Awarded 5 Year U.S. Navy COPT R Contract
Helicopter Institute has been awarded the 5 year U.S. Navy Contractor Operated Pilot Training Rotary (COPT R) program.
This program trains U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps, and U.S. Coast Guard Student Aviators on the foundational rotary wing skills required to earn their Wings of Gold and transition to advanced training in the TH-73 Thrasher.
Helicopter Institute will train approximately 200 students annually using the TH 66 SAGE, our military training configuration of the Robinson R-66.
Since April 2025, the TH 66 has flown nearly 4000 hours with near 100 percent mission readiness in U.S. Army and Navy demonstration programs.
Thumbs down for the trainer choice, but thumbs up for the program.
I'd be curious what the Navy program requirements explicitly state as far as vendor aircraft selection. Perhaps as simple as a "4-place turbine helicopter certified under FAR Part 27, capable of X useful load under Day and Night VFR. And able to routinely conduct full touchdown autorotations", etc. Or something like this. H.I then chose an aircraft that delivers the highest gross profit margin.
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"Knowledge, Wisdom, Experience"
Not quite sure how "wisdom" plays into this equation.
Had to be compelling to get a 5 year contract. I'm curious who the awarding entity is - CNATRA, NAVAIR, SECNAV, etc. ?