Mountaingoat Posted March 30, 2007 Posted March 30, 2007 I was flying an r22 the other day and my right foot kept going numb. I can't quite remember what it means if the pedals are making your feet numb, I know I was told at one point (I wanna guess it has something to do with pitch change links?) I even tried loosening my shoes to no avail. When I flew the next day however I had no numbness. My question is what does numbness from the pedals mean, and what could make it come and go? I'm a young guy so I don't think I have any circulation problems that I know of. Quote
JDHelicopterPilot Posted March 30, 2007 Posted March 30, 2007 I was flying an r22 the other day and my right foot kept going numb. I can't quite remember what it means if the pedals are making your feet numb, I know I was told at one point (I wanna guess it has something to do with pitch change links?) I even tried loosening my shoes to no avail. When I flew the next day however I had no numbness. My question is what does numbness from the pedals mean, and what could make it come and go? I'm a young guy so I don't think I have any circulation problems that I know of. Proably just a nervous reaction. Happens sometimes. It'll go away, but if it doesn't then see a doctor. I doubt it's the helicopter. JD Quote
klas Posted March 30, 2007 Posted March 30, 2007 Sometimes that happens to me - I just adjust how my legs are positioned. Quote
gft Posted March 30, 2007 Posted March 30, 2007 Try taking your wallet out of your back pocket,or reposition your butt. Quote
PhotoFlyer Posted March 31, 2007 Posted March 31, 2007 don't push on both pedals at the same time Quote
Gomer Pylot Posted March 31, 2007 Posted March 31, 2007 It could indicate a vibration in the pedals, caused by a tail rotor imbalance. Or it could just be the way you were sitting. After enough experience, you will be able to tell the difference, but probably not now. If only one foot is being affected, it's likely the way you were sitting. I've used a front-pocket wallet for a long time, because sitting on one, even one as thin as mine, causes pain after a few minutes. Quote
FauxZ Posted April 3, 2007 Posted April 3, 2007 I'll echo the wallet comments made. I can drive all day long with my wallet in my pocket, but if I'm in the helicopter for more than 20 minutes with my wallet in my pocket, my foot, then leg will go numb. While it's not comfortable, I can't imagine it being medically a good idea in the long run. I always toss my wallet and phone into my flight bag when I fly, and it goes under the seat. No reason to be on the phone, and none of the drive throughs will take my card from the helicopter.. Quote
67november Posted April 3, 2007 Posted April 3, 2007 none of the drive throughs will take my card from the helicopter.. time to design a new fly thru window resturant Quote
gft Posted April 4, 2007 Posted April 4, 2007 time to design a new fly thru window resturant "Meet George Jetson" "His son Elroy" oops showing my age again---- Quote
500E Posted April 4, 2007 Posted April 4, 2007 Ill hold the wallets mister ??Jokes aside ch tail rotor is clean, I notice vibes if dirty, (my partner reckons his left foot goes numb if pedals vibe)The No. of blades that I have seen with weeks of dirt build up are an eye opener, cleaning blades main, and tail, is real important & don't take that long + can save you a lot of $, long term Quote
Mountaingoat Posted April 5, 2007 Author Posted April 5, 2007 (edited) I appreciate the replies. I always keep my wallet in my right front pocket regardless of flying (left front when flying doors off), so I never sit on it. It must of been the way I was sitting, but 500E's theory sounds possible too. I would fly a bit, become good and numb then the left seat would fly while I worked feeling back into my foot then I'd take the controls again and get the numbness once more. Did this routine 3 or 4 times. The left seat didn't get any numbness but felt a possible vibration. In my 5 years of flying (on and off) and meager 250ish hours of flying I haven't experienced any numbness in my feet until then. Edited April 5, 2007 by Mountaingoat Quote
Gomer Pylot Posted April 5, 2007 Posted April 5, 2007 Seats aren't perfect - in fact they're just afterthoughts for designers. Often you get lumps and dips in them, which can cause discomfort. I fly sitting on a RelaxoBak seat, which looks uncomfortable but is really a big help. Quote
Linc Posted April 6, 2007 Posted April 6, 2007 During 6-8 hour missions, my cheeks (the ones you sit on) would start hurting. I found the seats to be poorly supported in the lumbar and my body was tensing everywhere else to compensate. Feet going numb may be a similar stress related reaction rather than aircraft vibe problem. Depending on the position of your feet and whether or not it is natural or a position which restricts blood flow... Quote
Autorotator Posted May 7, 2007 Posted May 7, 2007 Seats aren't perfect - in fact they're just afterthoughts for designers. Often you get lumps and dips in them, which can cause discomfort. I fly sitting on a RelaxoBak seat, which looks uncomfortable but is really a big help. Gomer, I checked that site out, do you have the original one or delux or what? I need something like that, my back aches sometimes as soon as 20mins into the flight. Also do you know of any other products like this that I could look into? Thanks. Quote
Gomer Pylot Posted May 8, 2007 Posted May 8, 2007 (edited) I have the original. It's light and easy to carry, and surprisingly comfortable. I've taken some ribbing over the years about my 'John Deere tractor' seat, but my butt loves it. I also use a memory foam lumbar support, some no-name thing I found on clearance in Target for $3, and I like it. Between the two of them, I can take a few hours in a broken-down 206 seat a lot better. Without them I'm in pain in about 20 minutes, like you said. I did a 3.5 hr round trip the other night, with only a fuel stop, and while it was getting to be a little uncomfortable, I wasn't in pain when I landed. I think the most important feature of the seat is the way it provides room for your tailbone, so you aren't pressing on it all the time. Edited May 8, 2007 by Gomer Pylot Quote
Autorotator Posted May 8, 2007 Posted May 8, 2007 I have the original. It's light and easy to carry, and surprisingly comfortable. I've taken some ribbing over the years about my 'John Deere tractor' seat, but my butt loves it. I also use a memory foam lumbar support, some no-name thing I found on clearance in Target for $3, and I like it. Between the two of them, I can take a few hours in a broken-down 206 seat a lot better. Without them I'm in pain in about 20 minutes, like you said. I did a 3.5 hr round trip the other night, with only a fuel stop, and while it was getting to be a little uncomfortable, I wasn't in pain when I landed. I think the most important feature of the seat is the way it provides room for your tailbone, so you aren't pressing on it all the time. Great thanks! I think I'll check one out. Appreciate you getting back so fast. Take care. Quote
beckwith Posted October 14, 2007 Posted October 14, 2007 that thing looks just like an old avalanche shovel I had, but if your back doesn't hurt its worth it. Quote
bspindeli Posted November 21, 2007 Posted November 21, 2007 Pressing on the tailbone is what makes the leg numb. I always have a problem in plastic chairs, etc. Good info about the heli seats and how to fix it, thx. Quote
bspindeli Posted November 21, 2007 Posted November 21, 2007 Pressing on the tailbone is what makes the leg numb. I always have a problem in plastic chairs, etc. Good info about the heli seats and how to fix it, thx. Quote
Eric Sharp Posted November 21, 2007 Posted November 21, 2007 I am currently a student and I have to agree with taking your wallet out of your pocket- worked for me. Take care all and have a great Thanksgiving! Quote
C.R.O. Posted February 3, 2008 Posted February 3, 2008 You might also try a different style of shoe. I normally wear boots, except when flying I was wearing sneakers. But I started to get some discomfort, so I started to wear my lightweight Danner hunting boots, and now the discomfort is gone. Quote
BOATFIXERGUY Posted February 8, 2008 Posted February 8, 2008 Now this refers to mostly Enstrom products, but when doing rides, I always knew when the tail-rotor pitch links needed replacement when my left foot would start to go numb. It would cause a very slight vibration, which would be transmitted down the cables to my left foot. We operated in mostly dirty enviroments, and the dirt would play havok with the pitch links. We could wear out a set in less than 300 hours. They should last 1200 hours. They would still be in spec and pass the 100 hour inspection, but the wear was noticeable when you were doing rides for hours. An yes, the T/R was balanced to specs. Quote
Ross85 Posted September 17, 2008 Posted September 17, 2008 The only sort of numbness I get is in my toes. I usually only get it when I'm doing lift work. Probably because I'm working the pedals more. I would really like to try some of these suggestions for the seats because my lower back is always sore when I fly for a while. Quote
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