Helicopters / Seaplanes on Yachts

In Sweden we have about 25 Robinson, a friend of mine have had his 44 several years and seems to be happy with it. However, another one crashed just a week ago despite CAVOK. It caught fire at the impact and the pilot died, so we don´t know what happened yet.

I wouldn´t really like to be far out over the sea with it since it must be more sensitive to wind than a bigger helicopter, and if I should land it on a yacht, it should be a large pad and not one of these small pick-up and emergency pads that many yachts are fitted with...

I guess a MD 500 is a better choice with small pads..?

I allready posted te NTSB crash reports.

I would prefer to have to ditch in a Seawinds Plane, rather than in a heli.
A heli is fine for close to shore transport and ease of deck landings, but seaplanes are inherently more stable.
Yes you have to recover them from the water, but you have more range, can land on any surrounding airfields on normal gear.

My father has had to ascertain helicopter failures for FAA & NTSB at water crash sites. Not a job for those with a weak gut!
Even the best pilots may succumb to a rollover on a ditch, without the ability to escape.

I'm for an amphib!!

Willow, I understand your point.
It's all down to preference and what size yacht you have and also depends on where you are operating.

I think it is now law that ALL helis that complete deck landings must have flotation devices of sorts, so they would remain upright and allow escape.

Another point that weighs me towards a heli this time, is the fact that Amphib planes need calmish waters to take off/land, whereas a heli launch and recovery is not so restricted.

If I had a shadow vessel, then I would choose a Eurocopter EC135 or MD500N (Notar) because of enclosed or no rear blades.

LY2 Heli Ops Regs

If (and when) this is applied then only the largest of yachts will be able to land helicopters.
http://www.mcga.gov.uk/c4mca/mcga-g..._2006/mcga-stds-cvs-consults-lycheliannex.htm

Hi,

I don't know about landing, this guy seems to be having trouble taking off.

This is one very lucky pilot to put it mildly.

http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=e870090bba

Yes he was lucky. We have seen and discussed this clip in another thread, but I think it was the rope-net that saved him. With a MD Notar heli, maybe he could have managed a take-off, but I think he was not experienced enough to flying on boats...

Hi,

I didn't realize it was a repost.

Take it off if you like.

I was sent it by a guy who is heavily involved in Shipborne Heli Ops.

I did some work on an MD 600 NOTAR with him and would be surprised if the tail boom didn't just snap off where it is bolted on, they are very flimsily constructed, being held on with 4 bolts which I think were 2 x 1/4" and 2 x 5/16".

It is a fascinating movie clip and I couldn´t find the other thread so I think it should remain here. I agree that both helis and all aircrafts are sensitive creatures, all structures except the landing gear are built to not hit anything but air...

A little detail on that clip. Normal ops on that Greenpeace ship were done using a 500d, first time for the Enstrom. Pilot let the collective come up at just the time that the stern of the ship dropped since she was going through shut down checklist. She did manage to get the Enstrom back down without a tail rotor and nobody was hurt. Offshore ops can bite very quickly.

A Catalina...

YES! AMG, a man with taste. The PBY is a great piece if you need to be social.
For less company, a J2F Grumman Duck.

Just came across this image on Yachtworld

http://www.**************/core/listing/boatFullDetails.jsp?boat_id=1648832

80' Baia ATLANTICA

* Year: 2005
* Current Price: EUR 3,200,000
(US$ 4,209,600)
* Located In Cote d'Azur, France
* Hull Material: Composite
* Engine/Fuel Type: Twin Diesel
* YW# 75687-1648832

Whoa! Good find Joe. One of the most unusual pictures on YF. There appears to be a square patch of blue on the front deck, possibly a non-skid surface, which might indicate this is a dedicated heli-pad. I guess it shows you can land a gnat anywhere, but it doesn't mean it will stay put if you turn the windshield wipers on.

BTW... nice avatar.

Helicopter News from Orlando

For those interested in what's going on.
CAUTION. Not for dial up users unless extremely patient.

http://www.aintv.com/home.asp?CATEGO...&ID=101&FMT=WM

Robinson R66 no longer just a rumour.

A turbine-powered, 5-seater with Robinson simplicity for under one million? This could open up a whole new sector, similar to what's happening with VLJ's. I bet MD and Sikorsky will spool up for this as well.

On a side note... it was strange to see Frank Robinson. The last time I saw him was on the owner's video cassette that came with the R-22, nearly 20 years ago! Time goes on...

If I should consider this R66 over a used Jet-Ranger, I would like a more sexy design than the present R44 exterior. This can´t be too expensive or complicated to build and certify compared to the more technical issues...?

Maybe a "Wally-copter"? Call Luca Bassani...! (He is a Helipilot as well.)