What it is like to be lifted by a CG helicopter

I live across the bay from the Astoria CG base, and hear those Jayhawks constantly. They had Dolphins here for a couple years, a decade ago, and they were too small for use here, though they have greater range than the big birds. The Jayhawks are used a lot to train swimmers, in and just out side the surf, off the beach north of the North Jetty, Columbia River entrance.
 
Ahh, "The good old days"

Being an H-65 Flight Mechanic was a great job, and now that I'm retired, I'll miss that stuff.

Dave- actually, the 60's have twice the range of the 65's. They can go way past my "Full Bladder Limit" light. :lol:

Rick
 
I got a lift from a USAF UH-1 at Homestead AFB water survival training in 1980. Instead of a basket, they lowered a penetrator with a horse collar - the seat was none too comfy. Lotta racket, downwash, and spray...

They tell you to not look up at the helo as the spray mixed with the downwash is an eye hazard! Instead, look down, and when ready, signal thumbs up.

I got a tour of Biscayne Bay while suspended - turns out that the crew saw sharks where I was in the water and didn't want to set me back down with 'em!! :shock: Thanks guys.... :wink:
 
Peter-

I'm not sure I'd like a ride on a penetrator with a horse collar, but if the alternative is staying in water infested with sharks, I guess the lesser of the two evils wins again!

Thumbs up, and keep looking down! (That's what they say in the Big House, too, I'm told!) :lol:

Joe. :teeth :thup
 
Saw a demo of this several years back at Annapolis, "Safety at Sea" seminar. Apparently the downdraft 'wash' can reach 200 mph, as seen in video it's harsh, and getting into the basket can electrocute you from built up static electricity unless it is grounded first. Those are two of the three things I remember about helo rescue. The third thing I remember is do everything you can to avoid requiring a helo rescue in the first place.

Aye.
 
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