Rotor Torque

However the Apache still must defeat both the Eurocopter Tiger and the Boeing/Sikorsky RAH-66 Comanche. The Tiger in particular is a threat to the Apache, it being insisted by the MoD Procurement Executive that it be thoroughly examined as a possible chopper choice. The British Army however is concerned that the Tiger would cost an additional £5m with procurement delays. The Comanche is a less likely choice, though the RAH-66 mock-up has still been displayed to the Army by a hopeful, though perhaps very optimistic, Boeing/Sikorsky team.

But whichever the final choice between the two frontrunners, the Apache and the Tiger, Westland are set to be winners either way – it has production Memorandums of Understanding with both MOH and Eurocopter!

Osprey Flight Testing Suspended After Crash

Flight testing of the V-22 Osprey has been suspended while investigators seek to determine the cause of the crash of the fifth development aircraft.

The No 5 Osprey crashed on its first flight, the pilots having lost control of the aircraft at about 15ft. The tiltrotor was written off, though neither pilot was seriously injured. It had, prior to the flight, been run on the ground for over an hour to conduct electromagnetic compatibility and aircraft systems functionality tests; no anomalies appeared, so the Osprey was cleared for flight. After hovering at 15ft for several minutes, the pilots became concerned about handling, and the V-22 began to oscillate about its roll axis with a tail heavy appearance. Witnesses stated that the tiltrotor appeared to be performing Dutch rolls prior to the crash, and the crew attempted to land. Its left engine infra-red suppressor hit the ground and crumpled, so the crew regained height. On the second attempt the left wing dropped, the prop and nacelle struck the ground, and the aircraft crashed, skidding about 80 metres before coming to a halt.

Crash investigators were faced with a perplexing problem, there being no apparent cause immediately obvious. Both Allison T406 engines were operating normally, and pilot error was ruled out. The only real difference in construction of No 5 and prototypes Nos 2 and 4 (both ?f which have faultless _flying _ records) was that No 5 was fitted with a more complete avionics suite; there were no structural differences. At the time of writing, investigations into the crash were continuing, concentrating on a possible systems failure. With No 5 having been written off, earlier prototypes grounded and assembly of No 6 stalled, developers Bell and Boeing are still assessing what the effect on the development program will be.

Locals Object to Channel 9 Helipad

Residents of Melbourne suburb Richmond are strongly objecting to a proposed helicopter landing pad for TV station Channel 9.

Channel 9 is seeking to use the Kevin Bartlett Reserve in Richmond to operate its chopper from, primarily because the pad at Olympic Park is causing operational difficulties because of its distance from the station facilities. The station has offered to pay the council $350,000 for the land, which it manages but actually does not own, on top of a further $50,000 annual rent. It also promises that environmental protection noise limits would be adhered to.

Residents however have valued the land at about $3 million, and in any case object strongly to the proposed use of the public land as a helicopter pad. The Reserve is used by local soccer, football and cricket clubs, is a popular picnic area, and is home to several species of native flora and fauna. Such has been the public outcry, objections to the pad have come from Scotch College, St Kevin’s College, Burnleigh Horticultural College, a residents group known as The Friends of Kevin Bartlett Reserve, and the councils of Richmond, Malvern, Prahran and Hawthorn.

It would appear very unlikely that Channel 9 will be able to gain access to the Reserve, which apparently is the only suitable sight closer to its station than Olympic Park.

A “Silly” Rookie Flight

A rookie British helicopter pilot has admitted to feeling “a bit silly” after taking off for a flight from Northamptonshire to Suffolk in eastern England, but instead landing in Holland.

The pilot, one Ian Muir, 30, of London, apparently noticed that the navigation equipment in his hired Robinson R. 22 was faulty. When he decided to turn back, he exacerbated the problem by misreading his compass and, instead of going west, headed east. He flew his chopper iii pitch black conditions, unable to see below because of appalling weather and thick cloud cover. When he finally did see lights and descended, he found (by reading a road sign which declared he was en route to Rotterdam!) that he was in fact over Holland.

Mr Muir had only held a helicopter license for three days, and with his flying record somewhat tarnished, it was wisely decided to hire a professional pilot to return the chopper to its UK base.