Originally posted by m3_eater
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The SeaHawk was heavier and the rotor dynamics were different, but we would autorotate it down to around 20 feet. The few people that HAD to do it for an actual emergency rolled the aircraft at the bottom of the touchdown but were Ok.
Sea Story: I had to fly a ship's supply officer into the San Juan, PR. He was being a complete ass at lunch and kept calling us the "ship's taxi". He fell asleep 10 minutes into the flight as all of our passengers did and after an hour at 5,000 ft it was time for our descent into San Juan. Instead of a nice, easy airline descent I briefed the crew and entered an auto. If you've never experienced one it's like having the cable cut on an elevator... an immediate, violent drop. The rotor speeds up to about 120% of normal and the transmission screams. Things floating up off the cabin floor, your stomach in your throat... it's unpleasant if you're expecting it.
It's a rude way to be woken up.
His eyes got as big as saucers. It was beautiful!
We dropped him off and flew back to the ship. Captain thought it was hillarious. The Supply Officer never gave us anymore crap and I never again heard "ship's taxi"
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