Quote:
Originally Posted by flipper35
Would all the stabilization in the world help if the pilot is disoriented? Just curious in a helicopter. A plane you can let go and most will recover themselves, helos seem to want to do the last thing they were told. Sometimes with gusto.
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This is a good article on vertigo and spacial disorientation.
https://www.aopa.org/news-and-media/all-news/2013/january/01/fly-well-oh-no-vertigo
A key sentence:
Unlike other in-flight emergencies such as cockpit fire or catastrophic engine failure, the spatially disoriented pilot does not perceive there is anything wrong. The aptly named graveyard spiral occurs after a bank; feeling the nose drop, the pilot pulls back to initiate a climb or reduce perceived rate of descent. A tighter turn ensues that magnifies the effect and leads to a stall, overstressing the aircraft or flying into the ground.
The SH-60B I have the most hours in is extremely stable and had an amazing trim system - NOT an auto pilot.
We had barometric altitude hold, trim hatches so you could basically fly the aircraft with your fingers, coupled hover, etc., etc.
Unfortunately, none of that matters if the onset of certain types of spacial disorientation occurs.