Re:Helicopter - Up, Up & Away

Heather,

I have never done it in a heli but have flown in one several times. They are very noisy (much more so than light planes) and the level of vibration and movement is also quite high. They just feel unstable compared to planes. I fly light aircraft and was surprised by the difference. Now there are exec type choppers like the Bell 430, but I have not flown in those. They are more soundproofed and generally smoother since they are powered by turbines and not piston engines. If you plan to do it in one, you need a bigger chopper since the smaller ones are REALLY small inside - like doing it in the back seat of a porsche 911 - sounds sexy but no fun at all

Vibrates your butt to your core.  Very loud and when you're hovering in one place you feel like you're falling.

Is there a 500 feet high club?

I'm a helo pilot in the Army.  Feel free to email me if you're really curious about it.

K

Beats the s**t out of what I've done in helos.  Logged hundreds of hours in the Army.  But a BJ, with all that vibration (no padding in military helos) it would be a real hummer!

HBXXXX!  

Weirdest things is the feeling of being a light fixture.   Suspended from the blades.  It's weird.  Like you are on a swing.

You go, girl!

Sully

(not all the way back, but getting there)

Been in a few helicopters. They were fun but I think the last thing I would want to do is have sex in one. I was busy enough trying to avoid getting queasy and I think it would kind of take the glow off the evening if I was to puke during the festivities. Its a great place to have a look around though.

Working in the bush and I remember a little Bell delivering a part to a camp. it was slung underneath and they were just about to drop the load and the sling shifted suddenly. The thing just fell out of the sky. I could hear the whoosh of the JP5 half a mile away... I don't like helos.....

Unless you're in one of the very expensive larger turbine helicopters, it would not be fun.  Too much noise and vibration.  The bigger ones (which are sometimes also used for Medical helos) can be a lot smoother, but even so it wouldn't be my idea of fun.  Helos are, for the most part, utility vehicles with not much in the way of creature comforts.

They are fun to circle around and watch things from, but I would not want to be on one and not be strapped in.  (Same is generally true for any light aircraft.)

MisterG