While the hover hook up might seem more dangerous in that the helicopter is much closer to the firefighter hooking up the load, in some ways it is safer. Hover hook ups allow the helicopter to hover within heights of one half of the rotor diameter, also called Hover in Ground Effect (HIGE). This creates a cushion of air underneath the helicopter that allows the helicopter to maintain a hover using less power. Additionally, if the helicopter were to lose power, it would only have to fall 5-10 feet before hitting the ground.
When a helicopter is hooking up a load to a long line it must hover at 50, 100 or sometimes 150 feet above the ground. This is a Hover Out of Ground Effect (HOGE) situation and requires considerably more power to maintain the hover. Additionally, if the helicopter were to lose power at that altitude it would have a difficult time performing an autorotation and land safely without power. I had hooked up long lines before but this was the first time I had performed a hover hook up. It was exhilarating. Standing still while the helicopter flies into a hover over you made my heart race and the rotor wash even from this small a helicopter was amazing. A very cool experience.
5 comments:
glad you got to do SOMETHING exciting-is that you in the video?
No, that is one of the engine guys. I was shooting the video. It looks like things are slowly starting to pick up nationally. Maybe someday soon...
Hey there. I just stumbled across this blog and added it to my favorites. I worked with the Eastern MT helitack crew in '05 and '06 when the program was based out of Fort Howes, and had a great time (see my website for pics and vids if you're so inclined). The Miles City FO is a great place to fight fire in, that's for sure. I hope you all have a good season over there, and get lots of overtime and IA fires!
Tell Conan that Vernon said hi!
Justin
Hey Justin. Glad you found my site! I actually saw your website this past spring when I was trying to get some information about the program. Very cool! Your pictures certainly made me excited to come work here. Its been slow so far but hopefully will pick up before we all go crazy.
I'll bet that this season will turn out better than you think! Mark my words.
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