How do you fly a Chinook....

[Lon]

With balls this big:

https://katu.com/news/local/clackamas-county-sheriffs-office-responds-to-assist-climber-on-mount-hood
28091

[Kukuforguns]

[How do you fly a Chinook] With balls this big:

https://katu.com/news/local/clackamas-county-sheriffs-office-responds-to-assist-climber-on-mount-hood
28091

He needs the second rotor for the extra weight. Obviously.

Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk

[Chance]

All the more impressive when you remember how enormous those things are.

28122

[Bigghoss]

I was born in Pendleton, grew up just 30 minuets north of there. Got to see the NG unit there bring out the Chinook a few time for various events, they are a pretty dang big helicopter so that rescue is a pretty impressive piece of work.

Try to avoid the area in September during the roundup, it gets crazy. Do try Pendleton whiskey though. It's nothing spectacular but it beats the heck out of regular Jack Daniels.

[JRB]

As an Army NCO, I can confirm that the CW2's and CW3's you typically find behind the stick of a Chinook are absolutely crazy.

The only ones crazier than shithook pilots are Kiowa pilots. Kiowa pilots are utterly 100% batshit crazy with zero concept of their own mortality.

[Irelander]

All the more impressive when you remember how enormous those things are.

28122

What rescue is that?

[blues]

As an Army NCO, I can confirm that the CW2's and CW3's you typically find behind the stick of a Chinook are absolutely crazy.

The only ones crazier than shithook pilots are Kiowa pilots. Kiowa pilots are utterly 100% batshit crazy with zero concept of their own mortality.

Sounds a lot like the former USMC pilots that made up the bulk of our air wing along with pilots from other services.

[blues]

All the more impressive when you remember how enormous those things are.

28122

Makes one damn proud...I'll tell ya that much. My heart and chest swell with pride just looking at that image. Awesome.

[Chance]

What rescue is that?

That was from the early days of OEF, but I don't recall what the circumstances were. There's quite a few photos online of pilots performing that maneuver and a handful of YouTube videos too, I just don't have the opportunity to find them at the moment.

28127

28128

[UNM1136]

Big balls indeed,

pat

[Stephanie B]

Big balls indeed,
And great crew chiefs.

[Stephanie B]

Duplicate post deleted. F’ing Tapatalk ....

[UNM1136]

And great crew chiefs.

Well, yeah, like the officers could do it...

pat

[Stephanie B]

And great crew chiefs. Well, yeah, like the officers could do it...

Who do you think is at the back of the helicopter, telling the pilots where the helo’s ramp is in comparison to the ground?

[Mark D]

And great crew chiefs.

Yeah, that's what I was thinking. Those crew chiefs are an essential piece of the puzzle.

[revchuck38]

With balls this big:

https://katu.com/news/local/clackamas-county-sheriffs-office-responds-to-assist-climber-on-mount-hood
28091

Remember this when somebody talks trash about "weekend warriors". I'd bet donuts to dog turds (and hold the stakes in my teeth) that the pilot is an OEF vet.

[ranger]

I spent a lot of time around the pilots in the Georgia Army National Guard. Lots of flight hours - lots of experience. The National Guard Aviation units deploy regularly. Our Chinook unit at Hunter Army Air Field in Savannah, GA have great picture around their flight center including "ramp" type photos evacuating people around New Orleans during Katrina plus pictures from Iraq and Afghanistan.

[Shellback]

Nice work. My father flew Hueys starting around 71' through the early 80's.

He told me they lost tons of Chinook pilots during the initial training phase due to hard landings, the blades would decapitate the pilots.

[JTQ]

Watching the video in the linked article, I couldn't help but think I was watching a school bus at a pick-up point. Is it possible those folks could get on that helicopter with any less sense of urgency? Heck, the pilot is standing the end of the helicopter on the side of a mountain, the least you could do is hustle on to the thing a little faster.

[ragnar_d]

I was born in Pendleton, grew up just 30 minuets north of there. Got to see the NG unit there bring out the Chinook a few time for various events, they are a pretty dang big helicopter so that rescue is a pretty impressive piece of work.
Same thing in Huntsville. There were always UH-60s buzzing around, but when a Chinook went over you definitely knew it. Impressive machines, for sure.

[LittleLebowski]

Glad we didn’t lose a good crew for that guy on the mountain.

[rayrevolver]

If it ain't Boeing, I ain't going!

Walked by a MH47 last week and forgot how big these things are.

This always looked like fun:
https://foxtrotalpha.jalopnik.com/watch-this-semi-submerged-ch-47-gobble-up-a-boat-full-o-1683829233

[UNM1136]

Who do you think is at the back of the helicopter, telling the pilots where the helo’s ramp is in comparison to the ground?

Sorry, it looks like my sarcasm switch was stuck on low....

pat

[TiroFijo]

Glad we didn’t lose a good crew for that guy on the mountain.

Who foots the bill in rescue operations like this? The cost is high, the risk inmense for the crew, and all for a few guys who wanted to take high risks...

[Lost River]

Glad we didn’t lose a good crew for that guy on the mountain.

I could not agree more.

The guy chooses to opt out at the summit, then does a "cry for help" 9-11 call, putting every responder/rescuer at risk.

Selfish prick.



That said, and back in the spirit of the thread, great pilots/great flying.


Having sat a fair number of hours as air QRF I was impressed by where some of the contractor pilots would put birds in built up areas and how low they would fly. We checked a lot of "suspicious packages" from the air, in advance of our ground elements, and the pilots regularly showed their abilty. I know I had a lot of confidence in them.

[BBDT]

Retired 47 guy here still flying as a gov't contractor in support of moderization programs. Wasnt going to chime in as I am a listen-not-talk kinda person. Feel obligated to though as the conversation turned to crew reponsibilities.
In flight school I was determined to get into Cobras (yes, I am old) but through fate and fortune not of my own making, wound up in Chinooks. The thing that I have most enjoyed from the first day is the dynamic of the crew served weapon. The minimum required crew to break ground is three. Two up front, and one in back. That number goes up rapidly as mission profiles get more complicated. Each member of the crew has an itegral and pivotal part to play. Being able to effectively coordinate and time precise communication is a mandatory requirement for everyone on board. Each member is literally trusting every other member with his/her life. When the Army finally figured out that there needed to be an organized method of precise, succinct communication on its aircraft, the training program they implemented was based off of Chinook SOP's.
Operations aft of the cockpit are (in coordination with the pilot-in-command) orchestrated and implemented by the flight engineer who normally is assigned to the aircraft and is the responsible party for its care, maitenance, and safe in-flight operation. Assigned to him are one or more crew chiefs who are (in a sort) like serfs working for a knight in quest of their own knighthood. It's damned hard work and the phrase tough love just doesn't do it justice.
Often times in deployment rotations, crews will be assigned to stay together for extended periods of time and it's not unlike a familial relationship. People really figure each other out and the synergy that can develop is a truly wonderful thing.
That synergy truly shows its worth when the environment and/or mission tasks become demanding and alot of stuff has to be done right, and right now. The pictures in this thread are of whats called a pinnacle landing and could never be done without the guidance and feedback of multiple sets of eyes in the rear of the aircraft. As the pilot, you are approx 60 feet in front of the aft landing gear and manipulating the controls in response to calls such as, "back two feet, down one". Then maybe, "hold the nose where it is, and bring the aft gear right two feet". Etc, etc. On a moonless night, under a tight timeline, in shitty weather, and in close proximity to obstacles, one can suddenly find the seat cushion creeping into regions it was never meant to. Yet, a calm voice over the intercom from a person that you trust and know has faith in you, providing the guidance and confirmation you need is as relaxing as a blanket on a cold day. There are stories and names burned indelibly into my memory of men that will never buy a beer in my presence.
So, apologies for the lengthy post but felt obligated to get that out there.

On a side note, this forum rocks. I learn new stuff every day and have found alot of voices whose opinions I value.

[mmc45414]

Retired 47 guy here still flying as a gov't contractor in support of moderization programs. Wasnt going to chime in as I am a listen-not-talk kinda person. Feel obligated to though as the conversation turned to crew reponsibilities.
In flight school I was determined to get into Cobras (yes, I am old) but through fate and fortune not of my own making, wound up in Chinooks. The thing that I have most enjoyed from the first day is the dynamic of the crew served weapon. The minimum required crew to break ground is three. Two up front, and one in back. That number goes up rapidly as mission profiles get more complicated. Each member of the crew has an itegral and pivotal part to play. Being able to effectively coordinate and time precise communication is a mandatory requirement for everyone on board. Each member is literally trusting every other member with his/her life. When the Army finally figured out that there needed to be an organized method of precise, succinct communication on its aircraft, the training program they implemented was based off of Chinook SOP's.
Operations aft of the cockpit are (in coordination with the pilot-in-command) orchestrated and implemented by the flight engineer who normally is assigned to the aircraft and is the responsible party for its care, maitenance, and safe in-flight operation. Assigned to him are one or more crew chiefs who are (in a sort) like serfs working for a knight in quest of their own knighthood. It's damned hard work and the phrase tough love just doesn't do it justice.
Often times in deployment rotations, crews will be assigned to stay together for extended periods of time and it's not unlike a familial relationship. People really figure each other out and the synergy that can develop is a truly wonderful thing.
That synergy truly shows its worth when the environment and/or mission tasks become demanding and alot of stuff has to be done right, and right now. The pictures in this thread are of whats called a pinnacle landing and could never be done without the guidance and feedback of multiple sets of eyes in the rear of the aircraft. As the pilot, you are approx 60 feet in front of the aft landing gear and manipulating the controls in response to calls such as, "back two feet, down one". Then maybe, "hold the nose where it is, and bring the aft gear right two feet". Etc, etc. On a moonless night, under a tight timeline, in shitty weather, and in close proximity to obstacles, one can suddenly find the seat cushion creeping into regions it was never meant to. Yet, a calm voice over the intercom from a person that you trust and know has faith in you, providing the guidance and confirmation you need is as relaxing as a blanket on a cold day. There are stories and names burned indelibly into my memory of men that will never buy a beer in my presence.
So, apologies for the lengthy post but felt obligated to get that out there.

On a side note, this forum rocks. I learn new stuff every day and have found alot of voices whose opinions I value.I love this place... :)

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G870A using Tapatalk

[Stephanie B]

It sounds about as intricate as backing the stern of warship up to a wharf in the Med.

For a time, some ships used CB radios instead of sound-powered phone talkers, because the communications leg was a little bit shorter. But that led to an incident in Roosevelt Roads, so the use of CB radios was outlawed.

But I’m getting far away from the point of the thread.

As to the expense, that Shi, Chinook was probably an Army National Guard helo. I imagine that they’re probably budgeted for rescuing assistance work, and it all counts for training time.

[JRB]

BBDT:

Re-reading my first post, I see that it didn't convey the reverence and admiration I intended when I say that you all are crazy. I'm incredibly thankful that you all are such a crazy lot, and do crazy crap and make it seem as normal as putting pants on.

In 2011, a friend of mine deployed in Kandahar doing route clearance was hit by an IED, losing his left leg to explosive amputation and he was pinned in the wreck in such a way that they couldn't get a CAT on it for a few precious minutes. He lost a lot of blood. But a Chinook crew on a totally unrelated mission diverted to his hot, uncleared area to casevac him without so much as blinking, and subsequently saved his life.
He's home with his wife in Kentucky now and they have two little girls, 2 and 5 years old. Last I spoke to him, they're expecting a third now around Thanksgiving - he's hoping for a boy.
From the bottom of my heart, thank you for doing what you guys do.

[ranger]

It is a National Guard Chinook - I Believe Oregon? National Guard "costs" gets complicated as the National Guard (I am Retired Ready Reserve now aka waiting to hit 60) walks a fine line between "state mission" paid through state funds, Title 32 status (commanded by the Governor and sourced through NGB), and Title 10 status (commanded by POTUS through DOD). So, payment - "it depends...". I "suspect" that the Chinook and crew are in Title 32 status and actual payment is very murky between state and Federal.

All the ARNG equipment belongs to the DOD loaned through NGB and when the equipment is used for state or local use there is an "hourly charge" that someone will pay. Hopefully, there is a "legally acceptable" reason for NGB/DOD to pay.

Note - that is one of the reasons all the local and state leaders start burning up the phone lines/internet to Congress/Senate/POTUS/FEMA to get disasters declared. Most state budgets cannot stand to pay the hourly rate on a Chinook or Blackhawk, etc. for long.

Sorry for thread drift - National Guard "money" is an art and science to itself. I often longed for the days of just walking patrols or screaming around in a Bradley IFV versus working the "money" side of the issue. Maybe a new quote - "Amateurs study tactics but professionals try to stay out of jail on allocating/committing funds"

[ranger]

BBDT:

Re-reading my first post, I see that it didn't convey the reverence and admiration I intended when I say that you all are crazy. I'm incredibly thankful that you all are such a crazy lot, and do crazy crap and make it seem as normal as putting pants on.

In 2011, a friend of mine deployed in Kandahar doing route clearance was hit by an IED, losing his left leg to explosive amputation and he was pinned in the wreck in such a way that they couldn't get a CAT on it for a few precious minutes. He lost a lot of blood. But a Chinook crew on a totally unrelated mission diverted to his hot, uncleared area to casevac him without so much as blinking, and subsequently saved his life.
He's home with his wife in Kentucky now and they have two little girls, 2 and 5 years old. Last I spoke to him, they're expecting a third now around Thanksgiving - he's hoping for a boy.
From the bottom of my heart, thank you for doing what you guys do.

Helicopter crews in deployed areas are truly heroes! When the GAARNG 48th IBCT was working south of Baghdad - we knew that within minutes of "troops in contact" we would have one or two Apaches literally on top of us itching for payback - in those days there was always two Apaches prowling around BIAP and the crews came by out BDE TOC for coordination and collaboration. When we had wounded, the dust wasn't settled from the IED before the Blackhawk MEDEVACs arrived - the time from wound to being in the Baghdad area "MASH" (can't remember current term) was in minutes.

[taadski]

Glad we didn’t lose a good crew for that guy on the mountain.


Who foots the bill in rescue operations like this? The cost is high, the risk inmense for the crew, and all for a few guys who wanted to take high risks...


I could not agree more.

The guy chooses to opt out at the summit, then does a "cry for help" 9-11 call, putting every responder/rescuer at risk.

Selfish prick.


Unfortunately, this has become standard fare in the civilian rescue world. The expectation that many carry into the woods/mountains these days is that a quick click of their Spot device or a 911 call on their cell phone will result in an immediate evacuation by helicopter. And for the most part, obviously depending on conditions and local capability, they're right. I work for a (county) agency responsible for alpine rescue in our region and we fully investigate both of the above and either rule out or implement rescue action.

In Colorado, there's a state DOLA program that allows the recoup of rescue related costs for agencies that are statutorily obligated to conduct such missions. We typically utilize a select few private aviation assets that we train with regularly. But we also use the Air National Guard a good bit too. If they're requested via the AFRCC, and the mission is a "life or limb" affair, we incur no cost for their resources.

[HC-7]

The 47 on the roof was 2003 in Afghanistan.....Mission was flown a Pennsylvania Army National Guard pilot....His civilian full time job was flying as a Medevac pilot out of Allentown, Pa....It was during a combat mission...Rear wheels entered the hooch, we had to $ 72.00 in damages.....regards....alex

[rayrevolver]

Was shooting the bull with an old CH47 guy and found out about this beast:

http://aviationintel.com/the-donald-fired-the-ch-47-chinook-in-1991/

[RevolverRob]

One of the reasons I care not a whit about mountain climbers, ice climbers, and skiers is their desire to do dangerous activities in remote places and expect someone else to clean up the messes they make. The fact that those folks are often incredibly affluent and socialists isn't lost on me either. It's one of the rare instances, where I'm willing to paint people with a broad political brush, right off of the canvas.

Glad the Chinook Crew is amazing and did a great job. Sad that guy wasn't left on the mountain.

[Guerrero]

Makes my stomach lurch just seeing this:

https://i.pinimg.com/736x/4e/e9/5b/4ee95b80092b1534dc2bedf1257362c7--the-doors-choppers.jpg


Practice:
https://78.media.tumblr.com/248beacfd85594fdb44da5c914e49a86/tumblr_nmr35878k91txx6x7o1_1280.jpg

...makes perfect
https://i.pinimg.com/736x/48/36/95/48369534bd676db967414251dcd820bc--timeline-photos-helicopter.jpg

[NEPAKevin]

FOB Fenty (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forward_Operating_Base_Fenty) is named after Lt. Col. Joe Fenty who along with I believe ten other soldiers and crewmen were killed during a night time extraction when a CH47 (https://www.stripes.com/news/soldiers-mourn-helicopter-crash-victims-at-service-in-afghanistan-1.48976) was doing a similar maneuver and the blades stuck a tree.