high overhead approach 360 and 450 degrees technique??

[WildBillKelsoe]

Hi, I read Chickenhawk and Rattler 1-7 and in both books the authors mention high overhead approach. Can anyone of you guys post a video in the DCS huey as to how to perform it? or documentation to read "the how to" for techniques?

 

It appears to be a favourite in 'Nam and I wanted to learn it.

 

 

Many thanks

[Bearfoot]

Not sure about chickenhawk ...

 

But I read that in modern cases, the helis approach very high and then do a fast, tight spiral to descend. This technique was developed, I think, by Soviets in their Afghan conflict, but if you search youtube you can find footage of western helis doing it (e.g., the British Chinook descending in the November Bravo documentary). Ironically, when I first started with the Huey, I used to do exactly that .... but because I did not have the skills to bring her out of translational flight into a hover in ground effect at the correct altitude and location. So I would just fly to where I wanted to go, and spiral down to the ground killing air speed at the end. Worked half the time.

[WildBillKelsoe]

Bob Mason did mention it. Anyways gotta look for methodology.

 

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[Razor18]

Edited after finding the description of the procedure detailed in Rattler One-Seven:

 

„…we would fly over the LZ so that wind was 90 degrees off the left side of the helo, altitude about 2500 feet – a good margin for safety from small arms fire. When we were directly over the LZ, we would lower the collective, and roll the bird into a steep left turn. This would set up the helicopter in a steep descending turn. Rate of descend would be 2-3000 feet/minute as we made our 450 degree turn. Within seconds of starting the approach, we would begin our roll out and be established on short final to the LZ. All we had to do was flare the helicopter while adding power, and within seconds we would be hovering in the LZ. Benefit of it was it took a mninimum amount of time to get into the LZ, and if we get hit while the approach, we just continued down into the LZ where friendly troops were located. Many pilots would do 360 degree high overheads, but I liked the 450 better."

 

AC's fly normally right seat, but in Vietnam they flew left seat for a better visibility through left bubble with less dashboard obstruction. Also mentioned, "...due to aerodynamics of the helicopter it was better to execute a high overhead approach in a left turn, instead of right. ..." and "...being the AC, you wanted to be on the side of the aircraft in which you were making the turn, which allowed you to see better what was taking place on the ground as you shoot your approach."

Edited June 21, 2016 by Razor18
Quote found

[Cibit]

Bit late now but that was the reason I figured and would have posted if I was at my PC rather than my phone browser:thumbup: Its a hard skill to get right though, perfect it in the Caucasus before adding collidable trees into the equation:)

[RabidRider]

Very interesting, will try and do this myself. Hope to see video's of other's trying.

[Razor18]

Very interesting, will try and do this myself. Hope to see video's of other's trying.

 

Well I'm glad I didn't make any about myself trying yesterday...:music_whistling: The 450 version is rather tricky regarding turn rates/bank angles on the way down. Sink rate is pretty close to autorotation...

[Holbeach]

Here's my interpretation based on the info from Razor18.

 

It's a wider circuit than I expected, to keep within the descent rate (which went to 3500 fpm), and a longer final.

It took, 69 secs. I used 360 and this is my first successful attempt. White container is the LZ.

I will keep experimenting.

I tried the 450, but felt more comfortable with the steeper 360.

I have been unable to find any videos on the subject.

 

 

 

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Edited June 25, 2016 by Holbeach

[WildBillKelsoe]

holbeach great work! gotta try it till i nail it

 

 

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[Holbeach]

holbeach great work! gotta try it till i nail it

 

 

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Thanks for the inspiration for a good exercise.

 

I had a lot of fun trying different styles of descents and watched hours of videos (without success), to try to get it right and within the stated parameters.

 

A steep initial descent felt good and kept it tight, but exceeded the descent rate and number of turns.

 

It's not as easy as it first sounds.

 

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