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Post by rmc on Nov 18, 2012 3:39:37 GMT
Here's a news story about an experienced first responder getting hit in just such a way. Terrain is apparently the problem here: abclocal.go.com/kgo/video?id=8730567For what it's worth, I remember a similar story about a soldier approaching a Blackhawk at night, during a midnight training exercise. Again, the rotors were not oriented with the nearby surrounding terrain in the same way they were directly above the landing gear. The result: A tight fit under one portion of the rotor sweep. It might be difficult to consider such difficulty when stepping under such a helicopter on level Tarmac. And any feeling to do so on a level Tarmac (stoop while approaching) is probably unneeded, just as you say. But, apparently, there are actual stories of being hit by chopper rotors on certain occasions. So, I couldn't blame someone for being a bit over cautious, at times.
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Post by rory on Dec 5, 2012 23:01:36 GMT
When I'm near an active aerocraft I tend to dip my head away from the draft to guard the eyes. Not been on a chopper though.
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Post by User Unavailable on Dec 11, 2012 20:35:38 GMT
We were trained to always stoop over to avoid the rotor tips, especially on LZs on uneven terrain.
If you ALWAYS stoop over, even when you don't have to, you are not likely to forget to stoop when you should.
Ask yourself this.... What is more bothersome? "Monkey walking" every time you go to and from a running chopper, or not "monkey walking" every time, because you think it un-needed and not "monkey walking" the one time you should have and literally loosing your head.....
I have had to crawl away from CH-46 that bellied down into deep snow in a clearing, on the side of a mountain. The rear ramp wouldn't open much and we had to push our gear out, crawl out after it and crawl away clear of the rotors, so the Marines behind us could egress the chopper.
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Post by silverdragon on Dec 12, 2012 8:27:53 GMT
Be aware of your surroundings?..... Why is it some people never look up?
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Post by User Unavailable on Dec 12, 2012 14:20:53 GMT
Be aware of your surroundings?..... Why is it some people never look up? Sometimes, your surroundings are just to full of stuff to be aware of it all, sometimes you've a lot on your mind or are just too exhausted to think of everything you should be thinking of and a little "muscle memory" goes a long way to getting you on or off a chopper safely. Sometimes you get on or off a chopper in the dark, swirling snow or dust and can't see the rotors, even if you are looking for them. But, you didn't answer my question, as to which is more bothersome...(yes I realize I phrased it as an "ask yourself" type question, but would still like to know your answer)
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Post by silverdragon on Dec 13, 2012 10:45:37 GMT
My answer would be, look.... If I CANT see, then I am doing the monkey walk. But I would look at the situation first... if the rotors are clearly visible a few feet up from anything that going to create trouble, I am not monkey walking...
I watched something on TV recently about some news item, and someone was seen monkey-walking away from a chopper when the engines were plainly not even running?.... WHY?.... (The rotors were in no way drooping in any way that would cause a problem.)
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Post by c64 on Dec 13, 2012 13:01:19 GMT
I watched something on TV recently about some news item, and someone was seen monkey-walking away from a chopper when the engines were plainly not even running?.... Is there a law which forbids doing that out of habit?
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Post by rory on Dec 13, 2012 13:39:27 GMT
I'm going to monkey walk to my car now just to annoy the dragon
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Post by User Unavailable on Dec 13, 2012 15:36:14 GMT
My answer would be, look.... If I CANT see, then I am doing the monkey walk. But I would look at the situation first... if the rotors are clearly visible a few feet up from anything that going to create trouble, I am not monkey walking... I watched something on TV recently about some news item, and someone was seen monkey-walking away from a chopper when the engines were plainly not even running?.... WHY?.... (The rotors were in no way drooping in any way that would cause a problem.) That's like, not wearing a seat belt because it "could" kill you in rare circumstances. A slight accidental or unintended input to the control stick or change in pitch control by the pilot, or any number of things, could cause the rotor tip to dip low enough to hit you, even if you can see it and are watching it. Why put yourself at risk, simply because you think it silly? Lots of folks get hurt or killed because they think think things/rules that are in place to protect them are silly or makes them look un-cool. Personally, I learned a long time ago that if looking silly and un-cool can keep me safer, it is well worth it. As C64 said, it may have been habit. What is wrong with it? Safe practices often become "habit". From having been on the safety committee and steering committee for our behavioral analysis accident prevention process at my old job and having read and performed more accident investigations than I cared to, I know that folks who think they can only be safe when they "need to", usually are not or forget to be safe when they "need to".
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Post by the light works on Dec 13, 2012 16:48:44 GMT
well, I know I only wear MY seat belt when I am planning to be in an accident...
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Post by silverdragon on Dec 22, 2012 6:30:18 GMT
(quote) A slight accidental or unintended input to the control stick or change in pitch control by the pilot, or any number of things, could cause the rotor tip to dip low enough to hit you, even if you can see it and are watching it.
BINGO!......
Thanks, you just gave me a unavoidable truth I didnt think of...... Pilot Error..... Me Monkey walk in Practise right now.
As for planning to be in an accident, well, thats every time I drive.... the fools on the roads right now make me wonder if I am gifted or something, 'cos they aint half being half-brained at this time of year..........
Yesterday, Tree in Transport, stuck up through the sun-hatch.......
Where was the Camera when I needed it?....
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