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Passenger Grabs Controls After Pilot Collapses
When Carli McConaughy pulled on the big control column in the middle of the helicopter she was flying in over Honolulu last week, she had no idea what she was doing but she likely saved her own life and those of her fiancé and the unconscious pilot beside her. (www.avweb.com) Más...Sort type: [Top] [Newest]
Here is God staring everyone in the face. Give thanks where thanks is due.
Here is God staring everyone in the face. Give thanks where thanks is due.
As a former rotorhead, I have to believe that she pulled up on the collective and not the cyclic as the article states between the seats. Now for the unintiated, it could be confusing as to what works what. Did she grab the collective or the cyclic? Unless there is a different article by a more knowlegable reporter I doubt we will actually know. As a crew chief, I loved practicing auto-rotations, it was almost like a roller coaster ride, depending on if trying for a distance one or a get to the ground easy (paraphrasing) one.
The R44 has a center cyclic control between the seats that branches right and left. For rides, usually the left branch, left side pedals, and left collective are removed. It probably was the center cyclic bar that brought the nose up before impact after the pilot slumped forward. As you said though, it’s just the news. Who knows?
Wow! Just WOW!
Crazy! So glad to hear everyone made it out safe.
I have had a pilots license for over 40 years. But I don't have a clue about flying a helicopter!