Why do some helos take off from runways?

[McBlemmen]

Why do some helo's do it? A rolling takeoff? I never understood that

[fjacobsen]

Rolling take offs masn You can take off with a heavier weight than when doing a hovering take off.

 

During the roll You will "roll" into clean air and thus get translational lift.

 

In Afghanistan f.ex many of the Soviet heli perations was from high altitude bases. In high altitude the air is thinner, thus You can generate less lift.

For a heavy loaded helicopter this meant that they often only could get airborne when doing a rolling take off.

 

 

FinnJ

[McBlemmen]

Ahh yes that makes sense, thanks

[agrasyuk]

to keep the traffic organized. helos taking off and landing wherever they please would be quite a safety concern and create a nightmare for control tower.

[silverofx441]

to keep the traffic organized. helos taking off and landing wherever they please would be quite a safety concern and create a nightmare for control tower.

 

I'm sorry but at an airport or FBO, choppers have very different routes and altitudes for arrivals and departures than fixed wings. The rolling take off is purely because of weight issue as specified.

[outlawal2]

to keep the traffic organized. helos taking off and landing wherever they please would be quite a safety concern and create a nightmare for control tower.

 

FWIW, during training we take off and land to and from access roads at the airport and often do not use the runways at all...

[tusler]

When I was on H-53's we had to taxi away from small aircraft or we would blow them away lifting into a hover which at times would produce a 200 mph downwind.:pilotfly:

[Odin_74]

Well, if I say about 10% of the rolling takeoffs are done due to hot, heavy and high conditions and the rest for training or just showing off I shouldn't be far off.

 

As for why they use runways all answers are correct.

Having all traffic in the same pattern is very predictable and easy to handle.

It's also nice to have the mini tornadoes away from all the activities at the apron.

 

The most important reason IMO is however safety regarding rejected takeoffs and landings.

Multi engine helicopters operate much in the same way as aircrafts with V1 and V2 equivalent speeds.

Even when flying single engine helicopters it's very nice to have an area guaranteed free from obstacles and whatnot. Should the engine or tail rotor fail it's far better to come autorotating down on a runway than a forrest, parking lot or a house.

[GunfighterSIX]

Well, if I say about 10% of the rolling takeoffs are done due to hot, heavy and high conditions and the rest for training or just showing off I shouldn't be far off.

 

I dont know about all that. Yes when I do a full rolling takeoff from a runway it is usually for practice, not weight issues. But there are a lot of other organizations out there that are flying heavy that need to do a little roll. Remember you only need to get to 16 to 20 knots to help you out. "ETL" Also if I am already taxing and my hover checks were completed on an earlier take off, I will just increase my roll and take off. It saves on the breaks and saves on the power and saves on time. I am not really trying to showing off, even though it looks cool.

 

As for the the runway thing. At larger airports ATC usually keeps us away from the runways and from the main flow of traffic. Its just better for everyone. At smaller airports helicopter pilots might use the pattern for practice, but you will general find most helicopters avoid all that mess and come straight in if its safe. Especially if that helicopter is stationed at that airport. Most small airports runways wont support the weight of my helicopter so I have to land to the grass anyways.

 

Every pilot has his way of doing things, every origination and airport has their own rules, so try not to assume we are doing something for just one reason.

[msalama]

wont support the weight of my helicopter

 

Just out of curiosity, but what do fly IRL then?

[GunfighterSIX]

UH-60L

[Odin_74]

It saves on the breaks and saves on the power and saves on time. I am not really trying to showing off, even though it looks cool.

 

Technically you're showing off just by flying a helicopter :pilotfly:

 

I haven't done any exact maths about the savings earned in time, fuel or brake wear, but there can't be more than a few seconds, lbs or bucks saved.

 

I did forget to mention that rolling takeoffs and landings are used to avoid white/brown-outs in snowy/sandy conditions. It also reduces wear on the blades and compressor.

 

As for runway use JAR-OPS 3 sub part F, G and H are a good read if you're really really interested. :book:

[outlawal2]

And what do you fly in real life espenrik?

[Odin_74]

I've been flying the S-92 for little more than 9 years now. Before that Super Puma, JetRanger, EC120, AS350 and the Robinsons.

[GunfighterSIX]

That's a great point about white outs and brown outs.

No am not worried about fuel cost, I was talking more power margin. And why come to a fully stop when you can just add a little speed and left off?

I would love to get some time in a S-92 and Super puma, actually most those aircraft you mentioned.

 

Your a lucky man, unless you are flying to oil rigs, I am not really all about ocean flying. I think it's and Army thing.

[Odin_74]

Sometimes with t/o clearance obtained and all checks completed, we find ourselves slightly rolling forward. Then we don't bother stopping, we just continue and lift off. Just because it's easy, never because we have to.

Still think I'm showing off, even though I'm not trying.

 

Then it's off to the rigs. It suits me. No power lines, cumulus granitus or ppl shooting at me. Can't complain too much about the paycheck and work rotation eighter.

[dahui]

As for runway use JAR-OPS 3 sub part F, G and H are a good read if you're really really interested.

 

 

aarrrrgggh please go away with that crap :/

In the next months i have to trash our FOM and rewrite it completly in compliance with that useless shiat...:mad:

 

i guess, outside of an airport a rolling landing is pretty hard in the snow? ;)

[Odin_74]

You really have to know the snow isn't too deep and what's under it.

 

The flightschool preceeding the one I went to had a fatal accident involving running takeoff in the snow when the skid caught a root or something just as they lifted off.

[outlawal2]

I've been flying the S-92 for little more than 9 years now. Before that Super Puma, JetRanger, EC120, AS350 and the Robinsons.

 

 

I am envious! One of my instructors went on to the Gulf and was flying the S-76 off of oil rigs and he loved it.. He has since moved back to Wisocnsin and is flying Med flights for PHI out of Wausau WI..

 

I would love to fly any of those machines you mentioned... 22 and 44 is all I have time in...