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(Some Guy) Dumbass If you're a helicopter pilot and you're trying to avoid low lying fog, try to avoid the even lower power lines. Oh... and look out for the interstate too   (johnsoncitypress.com) divider line 24
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5712 clicks; posted to Main » on 22 Dec 2011 at 12:21 AM   |  Favorite    |   share:  Share on Twitter share via Email Share on Facebook   more»   |    Get this fabulous T-Shirt and impress the methane out of your friends! shirt it!



24 Comments   (+0 »)
   
 
khyberkitsune
2011-12-22 12:29:55 AM
First rule of flying - fly ABOVE everything.
 
Get Lost
2011-12-22 12:30:54 AM
Avoid low lying fog by flying lower.... PURE GENIUS!
 
Gyrfalcon [TotalFark]
2011-12-22 01:04:43 AM
And be sure to miss the ground.
 
JonnyBGoode
2011-12-22 01:49:45 AM
He was likely trying to navigate by following the road.

True CSB: I was almost hit once on the freeway by a low-flying Cessna that was using the freeway to navigate in a thick fog. Fortunately it pulled up just in time to miss my car.
 
Daz-o-matic
2011-12-22 01:55:52 AM
Get Lost: Avoid low lying fog by flying lower.... PURE GENIUS!

Flying into a cloud/fog without an IFR rating and all the right instruments is *very* bad news. Your brain plays all sorts of tricks on you and before you know it you'll be spiralling uncontrollably into the dirt.

That said, if the fog's so low that a wire strike is a risk, than one should probably find a nice clearing and set 'er down. This pilot was really lucky - wire strikes usually have a much more catastrophic ending.

/lowtime heli pilot
//respects and fears both cloud and wires
 
Rich Cream
2011-12-22 02:13:19 AM
Ironically, the aircraft was owned by Air2, a company based in Timonium, Md., that provides line transmission aerial service support and maintenance to power

Gaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhnnnn
 
ThisNameSux
2011-12-22 02:16:05 AM
I had the unfortunate experience of being in a helicopter flying from England to Germany in heavy fog. After almost colliding with another bird, we thought it best to land and try again in the morning.
 
Rich Cream
2011-12-22 02:16:08 AM
Fake. We all know the prop wash would blow the fog out of the way.
 
Aulus [TotalFark]
2011-12-22 04:08:15 AM
No fog was involved, but 20+ years ago when I was a claims adjuster, I handled a claim involving a plane crash where the pilot of a Piper was buzzing traffic on I-35.

He clipped a power line over the highway, crashed and died.

The insurance company for his employer's workers comp carrier caved and paid the death claim. It pissed me off no end, as I had tons of evidence he was just screwing around and the claim should have been denied. The insurance company wussed out as he had kids.

My thoughts were, "Too gaaadam bad, kiddies. Your daddy was a dick and damn near killed people."
 
Pert
2011-12-22 04:44:41 AM
I'm no pilot, but surely trying to fly UNDER the low-lying fog is a somewhat odd thing to do?

2.bp.blogspot.com
 
Jamieboy
2011-12-22 07:09:18 AM
the aircraft was owned by Air2, a company based in Timonium, Md., that provides line transmission aerial service support and maintenance to power companies.

Scary, fun video: Link (new window)

/gives me a nose bleed and I want to pee myself just watching that.
 
urban.derelict
2011-12-22 07:35:38 AM
The cornfields, Ted, the cornfields!

/I just want to tell you both good luck, we're all counting on you.
 
UtileDysfunktion
2011-12-22 08:46:09 AM
JonnyBGoode: He was likely trying to navigate by following the road.

True CSB: I was almost hit once on the freeway by a low-flying Cessna that was using the freeway to navigate in a thick fog. Fortunately it pulled up just in time to miss my car.

Same here, only it wasn't the freeway, it was a 4-lane road with streetlights and wires and overpasses and buildings. The guy was several miles away from the airport and was going to have to make a left turn at the stoplight to get on another road that actually went past the airport. Felt sorry for him, he was probably going to need a change of underwear when he finally landed.

/ didn't hear of any plane crashes the next day, so he must have made it
// lucky bastage
 
FriarReb98 [TotalFark]
2011-12-22 09:16:39 AM
the aircraft was owned by Air2, a company based in Timonium, Md., that provides line transmission aerial service support and maintenance to power

That's some good hiring work, Lou.
 
sofa_King_2006
2011-12-22 09:39:22 AM
www.usmilitaryart.com

Former Aeroscout Observer (93B)

2 most important rules we learned.

1. Assume ALL ROADS have power lines

2. Pigs have no necks. (anyone who trained in Ft. Rucker will get this one)
 
reillan
2011-12-22 11:17:30 AM
Anyone else read that as "low-flying frog"?

no?
 
Inflatable Rhetoric
2011-12-22 01:37:58 PM
sofa_King_2006: [www.usmilitaryart.com image 410x295]

Former Aeroscout Observer (93B)

2 most important rules we learned.

1. Assume ALL ROADS have power lines

2. Pigs have no necks. (anyone who trained in Ft. Rucker will get this one)

I was at Rucker for about 3 years, never heard of that pig thing.
 
Inflatable Rhetoric
2011-12-22 01:41:00 PM
JonnyBGoode: He was likely trying to navigate by following the road.

True CSB: I was almost hit once on the freeway by a low-flying Cessna that was using the freeway to navigate in a thick fog. Fortunately it pulled up just in time to miss my car.

IFR - I Follow Roads
 
Inflatable Rhetoric
2011-12-22 01:43:18 PM
Pert: I'm no pilot, but surely trying to fly UNDER the low-lying fog is a somewhat odd thing to do?

[2.bp.blogspot.com image 314x400]

Helicopter pilots try to avoid flying instruments. It's ok if they land somewhere, but trying to fly under a low layer or in fog doesn't always work out.
 
ThisNameSux
2011-12-22 02:22:05 PM
sofa_King_2006: 2. Pigs have no necks. (anyone who trained in Ft. Rucker will get this one)

I trained at Ft Rucker and have no idea what you're talking about.
 
Marginally Dissatisfied Mike
2011-12-22 03:08:32 PM
Former 93B here also (AO Class 92-12). I think I remember a pig farm near the HTA at Rucker that we were supposed to avoid flying near/over. Forgot exactly why.

I remember having to set our aircraft down in a field on the way to a Stinger shoot in Germany, thanks to low clouds/fog. The OH-58C isn't an IFR-capable aircraft, so we had to put down and wait it out. Got stuck in the 'bowl' at Hohenfels overnight due to fog, too. Sleeping in the front seat isn't comfy at all.

/Scouts Out!
 
ThisNameSux
2011-12-22 04:47:23 PM
Marginally Dissatisfied Mike: The OH-58C isn't an IFR-capable aircraft,

Ours in Germany certainly were.
 
Marginally Dissatisfied Mike
2011-12-22 05:39:59 PM
ThisNameSux: Marginally Dissatisfied Mike: The OH-58C isn't an IFR-capable aircraft,

Ours in Germany certainly were.

Hm, maybe I'm mistaken. I thought in addition to the appropriate instruments (which ours did indeed have), you had to have a backup battery or some other redundancy regarding electricity. In any case, we weren't permitted to file IFR flight plans when we flew.

When/where in Germany? I was at Fliegerhorst, '93-'96.
 
ThisNameSux
2011-12-22 06:23:08 PM
Marginally Dissatisfied Mike: ThisNameSux: Marginally Dissatisfied Mike: The OH-58C isn't an IFR-capable aircraft,

Ours in Germany certainly were.

Hm, maybe I'm mistaken. I thought in addition to the appropriate instruments (which ours did indeed have), you had to have a backup battery or some other redundancy regarding electricity. In any case, we weren't permitted to file IFR flight plans when we flew.

When/where in Germany? I was at Fliegerhorst, '93-'96.

Geibelstadt 87-90

I don't remember all of the specifics about the requirements for IFR but do remember our pilots doing it on rare occasions. I think it was always more for training than anything.
 
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