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Military Helicopter Technology


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So yesterday I did a tour of the life flight facility in SLC UT with my fiance (she's a nursing student, hence why we went) and the pilot showed me several awesome features of his aircraft that I didn't know existed. He was showing us their newest helicopter, the Agusta AW109SP Grand. This thing had complete hands free auto piloting, more specifically, auto hover. All he had to do when approaching a scene was engage the auto pilot and the aircraft would slow it's approach, and stop at a 50 ft hover over the marked area. He then had a dial he could simply turn to lower/raise the auto hover to whatever elevation he wanted. The auto hover was only one of several features that I thought were pretty amazing. His entire "dash" was digital and had a screen for everything. It got me thinking about the tech in our helicopters. I would assume the 64s are pretty advanced, but last time I was in a 60 two years ago (some MEDEVAC pilots showed us theirs) several of the instruments were analog. So I'm curious if there is any cool technology like auto hover in any of our airframes? Or anything that would set our aircraft above civilian aircraft technology wise?

 

aw109s-grand-new-ihc1-2x.jpg

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The M model 60 has essentially an autopilot that can fly from a hover, do a complete route and come back to a 10 ft hover. They're experimenting now with fully automated dust landings and in a few years multi-ship landings. I suppose you could call this technology "cool" since the computer is more precise than a human but at what point do we become systems managers and not honest to god pilots? I think in life, most of us want to do something that's challenging, something that gives us a feeling of accomplishment. If you have an aircraft that can land itself to a confined area, pinnacle, dust, snow ship etc., what sort of feeling of accomplishment does that provide? Basically we become a button pusher.

 

As far as glass cockpits, they look nice but you'll see that the NTSB did an investigation a few years back and found they're no safer than analog. I prefer glass over analog but I tend to look at what an aircraft can do rather than looks. For instance, I fly a B407 with glass but we have several old analog 407s in our fleet as well. I guy flying an analog 407 flys as fast as me, lifts the same and performs the same missions as I do. I just have a prettier depiction of my primary instruments and a few bells & whistles (HTAWS, TIS-B, SVT) that I rarely have use for anyway. A GPS and NVGS; that's all you need. Like I said, I like glass but you could convert an old Huey to glass and it still won't be a Black Hawk.

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The S76 C++ models that we fly offshore in, essentially fly themselves. Pilot picks the ship up off the deck, gives it a heading, and it'll fly all the way back to base with him never touching the controls.

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The S76 C++ models that we fly offshore in, essentially fly themselves. Pilot picks the ship up off the deck, gives it a heading, and it'll fly all the way back to base with him never touching the controls.

Gag

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Now you see why I no longer want to be an offshore pilot. They just sit there like airline pilots.

Yep, I work with a guy who used to fly left seat S-92s. Said it was boring. You type in the FMS the route and he & the captain watched it do it's thing. Platform to platform all day long and he rarely touched the controls. Money's good though.

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B206/407 wouldn't be bad.

Yeah but we're getting autopilots this year. Just another computer that's taking the pilot out of the loop! Seriously I don't mind an autopilot though. It'll allow me a brief rest on long cross county flights. Also, it won't be coupled to anything so it won't be like it's flying an approach for me.

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So what do 'real' pilots do?

 

They fly the aircraft.

 

Like the sculptor, who '... chip(s) away everything that doesn't look like a horse.' you take what you got and make it a flight. Technology makes the process more efficient at times- Borglum could have done Mount Rushmore without dynamite, but it would have taken a lot longer. If you could make the flight without GPS and/or autopilot, you're a pilot. If you have to have the technology, you're not.

If the automation/technology you're using takes you "out of the loop"...

Edited by Wally
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I look at it this way, my job in EMS today requires both feet and both hands to do it. They aren't special skills but they are skills acquired through hard work and dedication. Someday, and not too far off, my job will be nothing more than starting the aircraft, typing in a route and engaging the autopilot. The aircraft will fly it self from take off to a flawless confined area scene site. This isn't science fiction either. This technology exists now. Kmax (slings), RQ-8 (recon), UH-60M, EC-145, MD500 all have fully automated variants that don't require a pilot. It's a growing industry and you can bet that if they can replace you to save money, or let the computer fly to reduce risk, it doesn't take a rocket surgeon to figure out that our days are numbered for some manned applications. When it gets to the point of where I become a computer programmer and not a pilot, that's when I'll turn in my notice and find something else to do.

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The aircraft will fly it self from take off to a flawless confined area scene site. This technology exists now. Kmax (slings), RQ-8 (recon), UH-60M, EC-145, MD500 all have fully automated variants that don't require a pilot. It's a growing industry and you can bet that if they can replace you to save money.

I don't want to be in that helicopter where the rated pilot was completely replaced by a computer.

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The best part of flying is being at the controls and making the helicopter do what you want it to do with the finest of touches. If I wanted it to fly itself, I'd be a f*cking passenger.

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I don't want to be in that helicopter where the rated pilot was completely replaced by a computer.

http://www.armedforces-int.com/news/sikorsky_announces_unmanned_black_hawk_helicopter.html

 

I think the pilotless ones will do resupplies. When you think about it, you could send one into a hot LZ or a sling load in zero / zero conditions that you wouldn't normally send a manned aircraft in. They do have their place.

 

I think eventually the Black Hawk will be single piloted where they'll monitor the systems and intervene if necessary. Or if they chose to hands on fly and are hit with SAFIRE, there could be a failsafe where the aircraft will take over and fly back to a predetermined LZ. Future is really limitless with these things. I was just watching a guy at work the other day with one of these little RC quadcopters. If the aircraft loses signal from the controller, it will fly itself completely on it's own to the ground via GPS. Amazing stuff.

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These systems definitely have their place; as well as UAVs. Even if only to help with pilot fatigue. As you alluded to, they could even be more beneficial than manned aircraft is certain circumstances but I also think there will always be a need for certified and rated pilots, no matter how good technology gets. Call me an optimist.

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These systems definitely have their place; as well as UAVs. Even if only to help with pilot fatigue. But I also think there will always be a need for certified and rated pilots, no matter how good technology gets. Call me an optimist.

I call you...never mind :)

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I walk the tight rope as I understand my place as an outsider. 98% of people on this forum are 100% more knowledgeable than I but aviation is my passion and I love the conversations. :D

Dude you have such a leg up just being on this forum, you have no idea. I'm drinking beers next to wm200 right now, waitin' on BOLC ! Seriously though, it's a good life. Just hurry up and get here.

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The best part of flying is being at the controls and making the helicopter do what you want it to do with the finest of touches. If I wanted it to fly itself, I'd be a f*cking passenger.

Well I see petite little Lindsey is gone thanks to BCT....

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