Ouch, haven't been yelled at like that in awhile... :( :( :(

[Shockwave]

Originally posted by: grasshopper26

Originally posted by: Shockwave
So, what happened with the helicopter? Did you suddenly find yourself in a 2 million dollar rock? That would suck.

Yep, it did suck...

The engine threw a blade and lost about half its power. It is amazing it didn't rip itself apart completely, thankfully they are well built.

Of course that partly explains why the engine costs $80,000. ....................

Grasshopper

JEEBUS! I didnt know they could survive throwing a rotor! Christ, those must be some DAMNED good bearings!
*heh* Did ya need to change your shorts from that one? How high up were you? What did ya do, just land as fast as possible? Would you consider it a good way to get an adrenaline rush??

 

[Armitage]

Originally posted by: Shockwave

Originally posted by: grasshopper26

Originally posted by: Shockwave
So, what happened with the helicopter? Did you suddenly find yourself in a 2 million dollar rock? That would suck.

Yep, it did suck...

The engine threw a blade and lost about half its power. It is amazing it didn't rip itself apart completely, thankfully they are well built.

Of course that partly explains why the engine costs $80,000. ....................

Grasshopper

JEEBUS! I didnt know they could survive throwing a rotor! Christ, those must be some DAMNED good bearings!
*heh* Did ya need to change your shorts from that one? How high up were you? What did ya do, just land as fast as possible? Would you consider it a good way to get an adrenaline rush??

I'm sure he means a compressor or turbine blade inside the engine. Not a main rotor blade.
Throwing chunks of metal through a turbine is certainly bad, but not as bad as losing a main rotor.

 

[RSMemphis]

Grasshopper, I have to say you sound much better now that you have a job again. Which I understand.

You know, in some respects, and you may quote me when talking to your GF, it is a better job than many others.
You live a happy life, or under rare circumstances, die a very quick death.

In my job, I am exposed to a lot of nasty chemicals, and while I take every precaution I can, I still do get some exposure. It's not as clear cut.

Plus, you've definitely got something to talk about with your "adventure".

 

[EagleKeeper]

You seem to have a young relationship.

Assumption is that you were a pilot before your wnet crazy over her.

If you are near any military facility, try to have her speak to the spouse of a combat pilot, a rotorhead would be even better. They may be able to help her understand what they go through and how the other half thinks with regard to flying (in the blood).

I know my spouse was scared when I was doing flight testing (even if it was not in combat). Just the fact that it was a high performace aircraft was nerve wracking for her.

If no military facility is available, try for a spouse of a commercial operator. Just do not choose some-one initially who is in the same line of work as you are. A second or third interview with the spouse of a worker who is in a similar slot as you would then be OK.

 

[Grasshopper27]

Originally posted by: Shockwave
JEEBUS! I didnt know they could survive throwing a rotor! Christ, those must be some DAMNED good bearings!

Yep, they sure are...

It happens, even to airliners, sometimes the engine continues to produce partial power, sometimes it rips itself apart. I got really lucky.

*heh* Did ya need to change your shorts from that one?

no comment...

How high up were you? What did ya do, just land as fast as possible?

I was at 1,500ft, about 900ft above ground level.

No, I went ahead and brought it back to back (in hindsight, that was a stupid idea). It had enough power to get back and set down. It was smoking and making a mess, but I couldn't see it very well when I was flying.

I should have put it down in the nearest field.

Would you consider it a good way to get an adrenaline rush??

Not funny, if it had ripped itself apart it could have severed the rotorblades and I would have been killed.

Grasshopper

 

[Grasshopper27]

Originally posted by: ergeorge
I'm sure he means a compressor or turbine blade inside the engine. Not a main rotor blade. Throwing chunks of metal through a turbine is certainly bad, but not as bad as losing a main rotor.

That's correct, a compressor blade broke in half. If a rotorblade broke in half, it would be fatal.

Grasshopper

 

[Grasshopper27]

Originally posted by: RSMemphis
Grasshopper, I have to say you sound much better now that you have a job again. Which I understand.

You know, in some respects, and you may quote me when talking to your GF, it is a better job than many others.
You live a happy life, or under rare circumstances, die a very quick death.

That's true, and it is how I look at it.

If the helicopter is going to kill me, I won't live long enough to worry about it. Doesn't make her feel any better about it however.

Grasshopper

 

[Grasshopper27]

Originally posted by: EagleKeeper
You seem to have a young relationship.

Assumption is that you were a pilot before your wnet crazy over her.

We've been seriously involved now for about 9 months.

Yep, I've been a pilot for several years now.

If you are near any military facility, try to have her speak to the spouse of a combat pilot, a rotorhead would be even better. They may be able to help her understand what they go through and how the other half thinks with regard to flying (in the blood).

That's a really, REALLY good idea (smacks self), why didn't I think of that?

I'll have her talk to the wife of the other full time pilot who flies for the company. I sort of haven't broadcast Thumper's feelings, so he might not know I'm getting pressure from this end.

Grasshopper

 

[Hayabusa Rider]

N/M