Having not started a helicopter in 20 years, Bob was still confident that he remembered how to do it. However, he couldn't help but feel that he had forgotten something...
Fun fact, the factory that made these helicopters in Poland also made motorcycles called WSK(PZL Świdnik) , also this probably is the Polish version of Mil Mi-2 judging by the Polish gauges and all round instructions inside.
You just have to admire the very few things that are made without planned obsolencence. Aviation and millitary are the only places left where they make things as good as they possibly can, and not to be spent fast and thrown away for profit. Russian helicopters(yes I know it's made in Poland) are the only ones still flying in many parts of the world where they have no chance of living up to the manual, and treat them almost like an old car. Of course they fall out of the sky once in a while, but you'll be amazed to see what's actually still taking off in some remote places, like the Himalayas or the African jungles. Incredible machines.
I learned how to fly Boeing 747 and i had my first emergency landing last night my #2 engine flamed out and had to put it down on a short runway in Hawaii just barley stopped it with 100 ft to spare all lives on my plane were safe and no injuries thank god for years of experience in Microsoft Flight Simulator.
Newer ones probably have fewer switches. Everything seems go be going to touch screens. I'm not a pilot but I think I'd prefer switches and buttons. I hate touchscreens. Google pics of aircraft cockpits. Lots and lots of switches, buttons and gauges in older aircraft.
Well. To start an A320s engines you need to push 15 Buttons and you're ready to go. Same on the A330. I think thats okay. This Heli is just a bit complicated
nearly NO aircraft use touch screens (except maybe the A350 or B787), new aircraft have "glass cockpits" which are much better than having to look at 50 needles at the same time (trust me). Flying with these is much more relaxing, simple and precise.
I found a picture of this helicopter dated 2010, she had a slightly different paint scheme then. That seems to indicate she wasn't completely neglected for 20 years.
Every time i see a jet or plane at a memorial sight im like i sooo would fly that but it just sits here so people can stare at it and throw shit at it and draw on it
With modern automation there's far less switches and required sequences to go through on modern helicopters. Still, a very nice machine, even though it uses blink relays, light bulbs and a ton of switches to initiate.
I am impressed by the fact that he remembers the button sequence after 20 years (and I bet he was standing in the rain as well) ... bit of luck that it was raining... imagine the amount of birdshit.
I cannot believe that you have those bars to click all the switches at once, flipping those switches is one of the best feeling in the world, so clicky and satifsfying
Talk about having to know wtf you’re doing. And idk how much prep went into the vehicle before initial start up. But it just fired up even after supposedly sitting outside for 20 years. Thats pretty cool.
"Okay you blokes, it's been stood outside in the rain for 20 years. Airframe might need looking at a bit? We got the engine going though. Now which one of you brave bastards wants to bung the rotors back on and take her for a spin?"
Now let's see.... hmmm... many switches... lets flip all of them .... hmmm too many .... I'll turn off some... hmmm.... let's see now... oh more to the left let's flip all... no all I'll leave the last.... some clicking noises... I suppose are good sign... now up.... what's here ?! ... buttons... I'll press this... Whooshing noise green light.... that's good... I'll press that... nothing... switch... hmmmm... up.... what those instruments show? ... some needles hopping... that must be ok.... - HEY FRIEND HOW's FROM OUTSIDE? - SOME FIRE SPITTING... - MUST BE OK CAUSE IS TURBINE... ok I am excellent pilot!
I work in aviation, to start a turbine after sitting out in the weather after 20 years is not a good idea, for the helicopter. Helicopters are inherently dangerous when neglected, bearings, swashplate, Hydraulic rust on the rams getting into the seals and valves, just to much to go wrong. It should be dismantled and inspected first and all fluids changed and lines purged. All critical electrical connections should be disassembled and inspected as well. But it was interesting.
Takes more than a few days to do the kind of repairs needed. It could take weeks with the right crew and equipment. At a minimum the engine should be replaced, lines purged, electrical connections cleaned and tested. As I said I still work in aviation and have worked on helicopters, as well as jets. Helicopters are very unforgiving in flight even when something simple goes wrong. However your answer is reasonable one for someone who doesn't work in aviation though. Best Wishes n Blessings Keith
Aviation is not a forgiving business when you can die in a fiery helicopter or plane crash, along with innocent people on the ground. Not trying to be mean, just stating the real facts. I'm actually a very forgiving and kind man. But when in comes to aviation when I see something being done haphazardly I always point out the dangers of people doing dangerous maintenance. Best Wishes n Blessings.
So, that's taught me something I had previously wondered about. There is obviously some sort of clutch or drive break within the drive-line on a turbine powered copter.
Im an aircravt engineer and also flew helicopters in the RAF. I wouldnt be going up in this until I had all the panels off, changed the oils etc.....oh and put some main rotor blades on it, I do like the clear perspex blades but wouldnt trust them! LOL
+C Roberts And the better part of that technology is that the main rotor does not even need to be rotating. I think that was a breakthrough for the time.
I've been flying helicopters for more than 40 years and it really doesn't look good to see excessive flame and smoke coming from a turbine engine on a start. Of course, I am taking into account that the engines may have had residual oil in them and perhaps the fuel controllers may be a bit out of adjustment, but still, that is a fairly lengthy duration for the fire and smoke that came out of this engine. I sure hope they did not "smoke" the hot section of that engine as that kind of mistake is very expensive to repair.
