Comments on: Aerial Photos by Passengers http://www.aneclecticmind.com/2008/08/25/aerial-photos-by-passengers/ Web site and blog for Maria Langer, freelance writer, commercial helicopter pilot, and serious amateur photographer. Sat, 11 Feb 2012 19:33:08 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Maria Langer http://www.aneclecticmind.com/2008/08/25/aerial-photos-by-passengers/#comment-2020 Maria Langer Thu, 28 Aug 2008 15:32:42 +0000 http://www.aneclecticmind.com/2008/08/25/aerial-photos-by-passengers/#comment-2020 I guess I should clarify. The collective (gripped in my left hand) does not require constant attention. On my helicopter (and most others I've flown), it's a "set-it-and-forget-it" control. That doesn't mean you can really forget about it or let your hand get too busy with something else. If the engine quits, you have about 2 seconds (no exaggeration here) to get the collective completely down and enter autorotation. The collective has friction, but I <em>never</em> use it in flight. The cyclic (right hand) also has a friction device, but on my aircraft it cannot be used to "hold" the cyclic in flight, like a poor man's autopilot. At least I'd never use it that way. Full movement of controls is vital in flight. I'm opposed to using any friction in flight, although I understand that not all pilots feel the same way. I've tried (and failed) to fly with my left hand on the cyclic. It's a skill I really do need to develop. But wow! When I try, the helicopter is all over the sky. The cyclic is <em>extremely</em> sensitive and is probably the reason most pilots who try to learn to fly helicopters drop out. When you first learn to hover, you get the feeling that you'll <em>never</em> be able to do it, just because the cyclic is so hard to get a feel for. But after the first 5-10 hours of flight training, it starts to become automatic -- for your right hand! As a result, I've been able to take some photos while flying. In all cases, they were quick snapshots with a point-and-shoot or my digital SLR held in my left hand. Occasionally I'll get a good shot, but in most cases, it's poorly framed, has lots of glare, and is out of focus. On my flight with a CFI from Wickenburg to Seattle, the CFI did just about all of the flying and I took lots of pictures. It was a real pleasure. I would love to hear from other helicopter pilots who use friction to hold the cyclic in flight. I'd be especially interested in knowing which aircraft they use this on. And I should mention here that two- and three-axis autopilot is available for many helicopter models -- including a 3rd party solution for Robinson R44s. I guess I should clarify.

The collective (gripped in my left hand) does not require constant attention. On my helicopter (and most others I’ve flown), it’s a “set-it-and-forget-it” control. That doesn’t mean you can really forget about it or let your hand get too busy with something else. If the engine quits, you have about 2 seconds (no exaggeration here) to get the collective completely down and enter autorotation. The collective has friction, but I never use it in flight.

The cyclic (right hand) also has a friction device, but on my aircraft it cannot be used to “hold” the cyclic in flight, like a poor man’s autopilot. At least I’d never use it that way. Full movement of controls is vital in flight. I’m opposed to using any friction in flight, although I understand that not all pilots feel the same way.

I’ve tried (and failed) to fly with my left hand on the cyclic. It’s a skill I really do need to develop. But wow! When I try, the helicopter is all over the sky.

The cyclic is extremely sensitive and is probably the reason most pilots who try to learn to fly helicopters drop out. When you first learn to hover, you get the feeling that you’ll never be able to do it, just because the cyclic is so hard to get a feel for. But after the first 5-10 hours of flight training, it starts to become automatic — for your right hand!

As a result, I’ve been able to take some photos while flying. In all cases, they were quick snapshots with a point-and-shoot or my digital SLR held in my left hand. Occasionally I’ll get a good shot, but in most cases, it’s poorly framed, has lots of glare, and is out of focus.

On my flight with a CFI from Wickenburg to Seattle, the CFI did just about all of the flying and I took lots of pictures. It was a real pleasure.

I would love to hear from other helicopter pilots who use friction to hold the cyclic in flight. I’d be especially interested in knowing which aircraft they use this on.

And I should mention here that two- and three-axis autopilot is available for many helicopter models — including a 3rd party solution for Robinson R44s.

]]> By: Mike http://www.aneclecticmind.com/2008/08/25/aerial-photos-by-passengers/#comment-2019 Mike Wed, 27 Aug 2008 21:48:14 +0000 http://www.aneclecticmind.com/2008/08/25/aerial-photos-by-passengers/#comment-2019 As a fixed wing pilot I have on some occasion managed the distraction of taking pictures while being the PIC. I understand just about enough (most likely nowhere enough ;-) ) about helicopter flight to know that you have "both hands full". I do think I read somewhere that in the 50's or 60's they came up with friction devices to hold the stick up so it didn't just slump over once let go and send the helicopter out of control. Is that so and does that only apply to the cyclic and not the collective? (which one would presume would be easier to implement) As a fixed wing pilot I have on some occasion managed the distraction of taking pictures while being the PIC. I understand just about enough (most likely nowhere enough ;-) ) about helicopter flight to know that you have “both hands full”. I do think I read somewhere that in the 50′s or 60′s they came up with friction devices to hold the stick up so it didn’t just slump over once let go and send the helicopter out of control. Is that so and does that only apply to the cyclic and not the collective? (which one would presume would be easier to implement)

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