New York helicopter rides…

[A930Rocket]

After the disastrous helicopter ride, that occurred a while back, would you go on one?

I flew into NYC this morning, on our way to Europe tomorrow, and while killing time, I went for a ride. The helicopter was smaller than I thought it would be, but I was riding in the back. Two in the front and four in the back, including the pilot upfront. The three people riding with me, were from Ireland, and super nice.

It was OK, but I probably wouldn’t do it again.

FYI, getting around Manhattan by Uber is silly expensive and traffic is frightening.

We flew past the Statue of Liberty, and little Rocketman’s Apt in Jersey City, in the background.

[ramonesfreak]

Not a chance I would ever get on a helicopter unless Seahawk was driving, seriously. Even then, I don’t trust the machinery

[Bill Douglas]

Originally Posted by ramonesfreak

Even then, I don’t trust the machinery

I'd go for a ride as long as it wasn't a Robinson.

[rfuerst911sc]

I don't get into any aircraft that doesn't have a copilot . Redundancy is a good thing but doesn't help if the aircraft splits in half .

[Rikao4]

Originally Posted by ramonesfreak

Not a chance I would ever get on a helicopter unless Seahawk was driving, seriously. Even then, I don’t trust the machinery

he would also have a co-pilot..
for when things get stupid ...
as another set of eyes and hands are invaluable....
as for the machinery..
the crew chief would be on board..

our pre-trip had all 4 of us walking the aircraft..


Rika

[Seahawk]

Originally Posted by Rikao4

our pre-trip had all 4 of us walking the aircraft...

And everyone had a vote even if I was the HAC.

Picture do tell a story..one guy looked Irish "Green"

I have flown the NYC routes more than I can remember...it is all self reporting and the views are incredible.

Glad you had fun!

[The Synergizer]

Only if I'm in the front seat...

[Sooner or later]

Of course I would take a helicopter tour.

I've flown in 1960 era de Havilland Beaver on numerous backcountry fishing trips, P51 Mustang, T6 Texan, B29, B24, B 17 Nine O Nine (rip), and a Goodyear Blimp so why would I shy away from a helicopter tour?

[zakthor]

Sure, if it was a military craft and it was taking me somewhere cool. Just to fly around and look at stuff? Nope.

There was an article about the manhattan tour company whose helicopter recently broke up in the air. It really looks like the profits aren't enough to afford the maintenance.

And I certainly wouldn't pay for the privilege because I really *really* hate the sound of them.

[ramonesfreak]

Originally Posted by Rikao4

he would also have a co-pilot..
for when things get stupid ...
as another set of eyes and hands are invaluable....
as for the machinery..
the crew chief would be on board..

our pre-trip had all 4 of us walking the aircraft..


Rika

Because of the physics involved, the cost benefit analysis doesn’t work out for me. I’m very risk adverse I guess, probably too much. I imagine that being in a dropping helicopter is about the same feeling as being in the mouth of a great white shark knowing what is going to happen next, that split second knowing you are helpless and it’s over now. I avoid this scenario at all costs. And for what exactly? Checking out the view of anything ain’t gonna do it for me. I feel the same about hot air balloons. Hell no.

It’s great others have the balls to do this and I wouldn’t have commented but the OP asked….”would you?”

I’m glad it was fun and worked out fine.

[Racerbvd]

I a NY minute.

[911boost]

In a military one, yes or with Paul as pilot as has been mentioned.

NYC in a civilian company no.

[afterburn 549]

The military has no problem with an AD. (Aircraft Directive, the Military has another name for them)
The civilian world? $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
It might get lost in the shuffle.
The trouble is in the AC world, the AD could be a twenty-cent item or a lot more zeros. The cost to fix it is not even considered, just mandated by the NTSB or manufacturer..
Go price a M/R rotor blade...or a T/B
The Blades were twenty grand for our little Hiller, and that's cheap by helicopter standards!

https://www.aero-access.com/catalog/product.aspx?product_id=26895

https://airwork.com.au/bell-206-rotor-blades/
With most helicopters, the blades (as most parts) are time-in-use contingent (TBO) and are due for overhaul @ specified time schedule or even calendar date. At the specified hours limit, these are removed and new or sometimes rebuilt installed.
Helicopters are a box or rented parts, all stacked neatly in one place. One just thinks they own it.
Next-
A slight dent in the wrong spot, slight damage, or the dreaded TBO in the mail can render the blade(s) useless.
Or a bolt is told to be replaced, but its inside the engine .....


Where did that envelope go?

[zakthor]

Originally Posted by afterburn 549

The military has no problem with an AD. (Aircraft Directive, the Military has another name for them)
The civilian world? $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
It might get lost in the shuffle.
The trouble is in the AC world, the AD could be a twenty-cent item or a lot more zeros. The cost to fix it is not even considered, just mandated by the NTSB or manufacturer..
Go price a M/R rotor blade...or a T/B
The Blades were twenty grand for our little Hiller, and that's cheap by helicopter standards!

https://www.aero-access.com/catalog/product.aspx?product_id=26895

https://airwork.com.au/bell-206-rotor-blades/
With most helicopters, the blades (as most parts) are time-in-use contingent (TBO) and are due for overhaul @ specified time schedule or even calendar date. At the specified hours limit, these are removed and new or sometimes rebuilt installed.
Helicopters are a box or rented parts, all stacked neatly in one place. One just thinks they own it.
Next-
A slight dent in the wrong spot, slight damage, or the dreaded TBO in the mail can render the blade(s) useless.
Or a bolt is told to be replaced, but its inside the engine .....


Where did that envelope go?

Maybe 'helicopter tour company' is like bike shops: there's a bunch of people that really want to be in the business so they're over-optimistic about the finances. Which means thats its a race to the bottom for profit.

At least with a bike shop people don't die when they start cutting corners to shore up the cash.

[afterburn 549]

PS-I did not say they were skimping out.
I am saying it's pretty EZ to do if one is dishonest.
Commercial passenger jet companies have been caught.

[matthewb0051]

My first ever helicopter ride was in Mogadishu about 2 weeks after the Blackhawk down incident(s). I've also flown all over Iraq, some trips on very bad weather days.

Many years later when I was the senior legal advisor to a Combat Aviation Brigade commander, the boss asked me if I wanted to go on a ride in a Blackhawk. I mentioned my first ride and said I was good.

Hard pass on these but nice photos.

[911 Rod]

Maybe, ya, sure I would. What is the cost?
Do you get to keep the yelo packages of coke or are you delivering them?

[afterburn 549]

Training is 100% success or failure.
There is no substitute for military training. (at least that's how it used to be, but I am old)
One does not get a pass if they flunk.
Today, pilots start screaming if things go wrong, all the way to the ground.
At least that's what I have seen from FDR stuff.
In a fixed wing, there is usually a lot more time to read a checklist.
In a chopper?>
It has to be a reflex esp in a smaller one.
If something goes thump, bang, or boom, the left knuckles better be bloody.