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There's a medflight helicopter pad not far from my place out in the country. It's just a small concrete pad on a lot and when it is dispatched it ascends strai
by jcims 1y ago
There's a medflight helicopter pad not far from my place out in the country. It's just a small concrete pad on a lot and when it is dispatched it ascends straight up to what I'd guessed was 300' but could easily be 500' before taking off towards its destination. Landings are similar.
I always thought it looked weird but now I wonder if it's because it's largely surrounded by private property.
- p_l 1y agoQuite probably it's more to avoid dealing with possible collision dangers.
- jcims 1y agoVery possible but we're out in the middle of absolute nowhere. The ascent in particular looks robotic in its precision, takes maybe 30 seconds. It's really quite cool to see.
- p_l 1y agoHigh vertical ascent/descent is very, very dangerous[1] method of takeoff/landing for helicopters, so especially in case of medical transport I would expect it to be due to safety factors more than anything. [1] been decades since I've read the textbook on it, but IIRC it involves higher load on rotor and engines than "running" methods that utilize ground effect and provide horizontal momentum against wind gusts.
- jcims 1y agoI have the same recollection which I think is why it stood out to me the first time I saw it. It's frankly kind of bizarre looking, like it's getting hoisted by a crane.
- anigbrowl 1y agoI am near a hospital in a city and while they usually do the same thing sometimes the pilots seem intent on testing the limits of their craft/FAA regulations.