Apparently having a helicopter make a forced landing in a local parking lot at 8PM isn’t news around here.
The pilot did a good job as the engine sounded like it was eating itself. I have no idea how they are going to get it out of where it landed without taking it apart and loading it on flatbed trailers, but I was more concerned that for a while it looked like it was going to come down on my head, and I had to wait to see which way to run.
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9 comments
Everytime I hear a helio now, I look up in the sky and wonder where a fire is now.
It’s been like living in a war zone with planes, helios and the smell of smoke everywhere. I’m rather sure they will be back in another 6 months…unfortunately.
I tell you though, those night flying helios with the night vision goggles dropping water on flames…they’re awesome…and a tad bit crazy, if you ask me…
cookie jill´s last blog post..Happy Animal Blogging Friday
Given that a lot of the night vision stuff distorts or eliminates depth perception, it is more than a tad crazy. This use of night vision goggles is one of the biggest causes of local helicopter training accidents.
These night flying helios were a God send though….but people just don’t understand why the planes and helios couldn’t be flying 24-7 and I’m sure the general public will assume that the LA folks can spare these night flyers next time. Last time I checked…LA’s pretty dry and combustable, too.
cookie jill´s last blog post..Humans are not the only ones to suffer in a fire
They can fly, but they can’t hit their intended targets at night without the night vision equipment, and they sure can’t do low level flying in mountainous terrain.
The fixed wing guys can’t make these passes even with night vision goggles because they have to fly too fast to stay in the air and need to see a very long way in front of the aircraft. The rotary wing guys can do low and slow, and hit the up button with minimal distances.
Even so, you need a lot of practice to do this kind of flying, and I wouldn’t depend on it being available.
We’re totally combustible (Pomona Valley) and waiting for our local pyros to creep into the hills for their seasonal jollies. Hoping we get some summer rain from the Mexican hurricane season.
Too many people, not enough water: Southern California’s future from now on out.
ellroon´s last blog post..Exactly.
And glad that helicopter didn’t fall on you. Besides…what would your obit say? Died from a falling blenderizer?
ellroon´s last blog post..Exactly.
It doesn’t take a pyro, just some idiot with an off road vehicle or an idiot on the edge of a canyon dumping “ashes” out of an hibachi or a fool and firecrackers. Reading the causes of fires in San Diego county was a listing of stupid human tricks.
There was no way I was going to hit by it, but you have to wonder about human survival instincts when they gather in the clear area of a parking lot while a helicopter is obviously trying to land. That’s why he aborted his attempt where I was and went to another lot, even though he was in trouble.
People are just simply clueless to life surrounding them these days.
cookie jill´s last blog post..While the multimillionaires wax poetic
It is totally amazing at the number of people who can’t believe there is a drought because the water still comes out of their taps. Maybe if the water companies started reducing the pressure in the pipes people would figure it out,