The latest Hudson canyon crash

[flatbutt]

Apparently a private prop job approached a tour helicopter from behind, got to close and touched the rotor with its wing tip.

The thread on pilots salaries' got me thinking about how well trained and maintained these private licenses are.

[widebody911]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/08/08/helicopter-small-plane-co_n_254625.html

(sorry about the huffpo link, it was one of the first google results)

[Seahawk]

Hopefully the link will work. I found the helo VFR chart I used at least 75 times flying in that exact airspace when I was the Chief Test Pilot at the Sikorsky Factory in CT. If the link works there is a zoom function.

The airspace is phenomenally crowded. The professional pilots in the area could be counted on to fly the exact routes, it was the private guys there first or second time on the various routes that could really be a problem since there is no controllers...the route is completely self reporting.

The scenery is amazing, especially the Central Park transition.

http://skyvector.com/

[David]

I'm no pilot, but it seems to me the plane pilot wouldn't be able able to see anything below him. I'm also not a helicopter pilot, but I imagine they can't see behind them very well. So if the plane is cruising in level flight and a helicopter is flying straight up below the plane, it seems there's no way either pilot would see the other craft.

[Zef]

Originally Posted by flatbutt

Apparently a private prop job approached a tour helicopter from behind, got to close and touched the rotor with its wing tip.

The thread on pilots salaries' got me thinking about how well trained and maintained these private licenses are.

This will continue as long as these guys will prostitute themself to get a stick.

[David]

There's video now. Tough call.

[WilsonTC]

Originally Posted by 125shifter

There's video now. Though call.

Not so "though", err...tough.

Plane came down on top of the chopper. Not much downward visibility in those suckers.

[David]

Corrected, thanks


Do small aircraft have any type of radar?

[WilsonTC]

Originally Posted by 125shifter

Corrected, thanks


Do small aircraft have any type of radar?

Not typically. They're trying to implement a transponder system, but I think cost is the factor.

[Dantilla]

Originally Posted by WilsonTC

Not typically. They're trying to implement a transponder system, but I think cost is the factor.

Almost all small airplanes have transponders, and one would be required to be in this airspace. But transponders let controllers know where airplanes are, not letting airplanes know where other airplanes are. In busy airspace, it is common for controllers to eliminate all VFR traffic from their screens so they can do their primary job- Keeping IFR airplanes apart.

It is possible now for small airplanes to have traffic alert systems (my airplane does) but it is not very common because it's relatively new technology, and the cost is still high.

[rick-l]

So from that video who is at fault?

The airplane in a climb isn't going to see the helicopter. The helicopter in a climb in the same direction with little forward velocity isn't going to see the plane.

[speeder]

Just a tragic accident, most likely.

[WilsonTC]

Originally Posted by Dantilla

But transponders let controllers know where airplanes are, not letting airplanes know where other airplanes are. In busy airspace, it is common for controllers to eliminate all VFR traffic from their screens so they can do their primary job- Keeping IFR airplanes apart.

It is possible now for small airplanes to have traffic alert systems (my airplane does) but it is not very common because it's relatively new technology, and the cost is still high.

Yeah, that's what I was trying to 'splain. A reporter did a "fly-along" with a pilot over the same airspace (a few days after) and was explaining how almost everyone in the area was flying VFR. The reporter had a hard time spotting other nearby aircraft. The plane had some sort of screen showing where the other aircraft were, but the pilot indicated not everyone had that system. I assumed that was a "transponder".