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Back in the saddle again
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One for Seahawk
Saying Goodbye to My Seahawk | Military Aviation | Air & Space Magazine
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Steve '08 Boxster RS60 Spyder #0099/1960 - never named a car before, but this is Charlotte. '88 targa ![]() |
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Control Group
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90 year old .50
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She was the kindest person I ever met |
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Thanks for that!
I flew the first SH-60B delivered to the fleet, 00, and was a founding member of the first Seahawk squadron. Great aircraft. The B model was replaced by the R...I helped develop that aircraft as well. I have over a man-years worth of time running around in just the B alone. Again, thanks'for the memories!
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1996 FJ80. |
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Once in a while, I stumble across a thread like this.
This forum has some very interesting folks. ... a tip of the hat to y'all |
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I do have to say this. I don't know Nicole but her well done article (linked article is good) kind of completes the circle for me on the 60B.
I probably picked up at least 5 aircraft brand new 60'B's from the Lockheed Martin plant in Owego, NY and flew them across country to San Diego. The B's were made in Bridgeport, CT at the United Technologies Sikorsky plant, then flown to Owego for the very intensive installation of sensor packages. Brand new a/c with the new aircraft smell that I got to jam across the country in. My second tour I was an operational flight test pilot at VX-1 in Pax River. I led the team that did all the operational flight test of the Block I upgrade to the B, which included guns and missiles. The picture below is of me in 1990 after completing the first war shot of a Penguin Missile off Puerto Rico. On a subsequent tour, I became the Chief Government Pilot at the Sikorsky Factory and delivered brand new Block I 60B's to the Owego plant. Lastly, I was the lead PM on the replacement for the 60B, the SH-60R Seahawk. So, I do have a bit of history with the aircraft. Again, thanks! ![]()
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1996 FJ80. Last edited by Seahawk; 09-30-2016 at 08:51 AM.. |
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Back in the saddle again
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Cool, thanks for that. How long is a cross country flight in one of those things? I assume it takes a while and a few refuels.
I assume it's more scenic than in a jet plane because I assume you're not even remotely close to the same altitude, and speed, but you probably do want some altitude for both efficiency and avoiding weather?
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Steve '08 Boxster RS60 Spyder #0099/1960 - never named a car before, but this is Charlotte. '88 targa ![]() |
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The Seahawk carried over four hours worth of gas so at 125kt cruise (143mph) you could get back in two days but we usually spent three and enjoyed the scenery from 500ft.
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1996 FJ80. |
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Get off my lawn!
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I presume you could land at any branch of military base to refuel on a trip like that. I suspect you had a favorite spot to stop for the night.
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Glen 49 Year member of the Porsche Club of America 1985 911 Carrera; 2017 Macan 1986 El Camino with Fuel Injected 350 Crate Engine My Motto: I will never be too old to have a happy childhood! |
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like the song.
'those were the days my friend... ![]() Rika |
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Back in the saddle again
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OK, so unlike a jet plane, altitude isn't necessary or beneficial, I guess. I can imagine that 500ft would be cool.
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Steve '08 Boxster RS60 Spyder #0099/1960 - never named a car before, but this is Charlotte. '88 targa ![]() |
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I could spend a day writing about this: The Seahawk is powered by two jet engines, the GE-T700-401Cs. They each put out, depending, 1600SHP. They were designed to operate as efficiently as possible at low altitudes (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_Electric_T700) since most military helicopters are not outfitted with oxygen for the pilots to fly above 10,000 ft msl. After that it gets really complicated. Unlike most fixed wing jets, the 700's in the 60 series helicopters are turning mechanical linkages in order to rotate the main and tail rotors, which provide lift and directional authority. A high altitudes, the density of the air is less, impacting the ability of the main and tail rotors to do their job. Here are two links that go into helicopter performance: http://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/handbooks_manuals/aviation/helicopter_flying_handbook/media/hfh_ch07.pdf Helicopter Lesson Guides, Darren Smith, Helicopter Instructor Density altitude is the key!
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1996 FJ80. Last edited by Seahawk; 09-30-2016 at 10:42 AM.. |
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lower is even better..
![]() Rika |
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^^^Always.
I have piloted or ridden in everything from transports to F-18's. Nothing beats nap of the earth time or low level flight in a helo in all of aviation.
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1996 FJ80. |
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Get off my lawn!
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Why to I hear the Ride of the Valkyries when I see pictures like that?
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Glen 49 Year member of the Porsche Club of America 1985 911 Carrera; 2017 Macan 1986 El Camino with Fuel Injected 350 Crate Engine My Motto: I will never be too old to have a happy childhood! |
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Fleabit peanut monkey
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I like that picture.
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1981 911SC Targa |
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Paul - I'm sure this is a dumb question, but did you ever land on a destroyer?
The reason I ask is that my daughter (an ensign and Jr OOTD) had told me harrowing tales of getting those things down on to the deck. So when I finally got to go on a short (family) cruise, I was shocked to see that not only did they have to get it down on to the deck, but also it had to be landed on a device like a dolly. I couldn't believe the added degree of difficulty!
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David 1972 911T/S MFI Survivor |
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This
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David 1972 911T/S MFI Survivor |
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Back in the saddle again
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Location: Central TX west of Houston
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Quote:
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Steve '08 Boxster RS60 Spyder #0099/1960 - never named a car before, but this is Charlotte. '88 targa ![]() |
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This is an interesting thread! I enjoy learning about this stuff.
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-jeff back in the saddle: '95 993 - just another black C2 *SOLD*: '87 930 GP White - heroin would have been a cheaper addiction... "Ladies and Gentlemen, from Boston Massachusetts, we are Morphine, at your service..." - Mark Sandman (RIP ![]() |
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resident samsquamch
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This picture reminded me of one of my favorite movies, Black Hawk Down. I realize these are different helos...just the way they're flying along the coast is similar to me
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-jeff back in the saddle: '95 993 - just another black C2 *SOLD*: '87 930 GP White - heroin would have been a cheaper addiction... "Ladies and Gentlemen, from Boston Massachusetts, we are Morphine, at your service..." - Mark Sandman (RIP ![]() |
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