Wind and weight - Max wind to hold position

[LoopBaCK]

I wanted to get an idea of what kind of wind speeds each unique configuration can safely hold position in. Not really talking about ballooning and rough flights but at what wind speed do you know your heli cannot actually hold position and keeps sliding backwards with the wind.

Case in point - I don't have an accurate windspeed to report but this past Sunday we had a little wind but mostly gusty in the 10 to 15 mph range. I knew flying my Swift would be a little bumpy but I had a lot of room and no worries about human or asset safety so I went flying. Got several shots and of course many were blurry from the bumpy ride. On the third flight at about 200 feet the heli started really struggling to hold position. I realized I was pushing full collective and it was still going away. Dropped down below 50 feet and was able to get her home. I'm guessing windspeed that day above 150 to 200 feet was likely double that on the ground.

Back in the day with the GSR I doubt I would have even noticed any issues. That big hog (25 pounds) just plowed through and kept smiling - kinda like a Mac truck! :cool: But the Swift weighs a little less than the entire camera mount under the GSR.

So - there's my question. Just trying to guage "different heli configs and weights" cross referenced to "maximum windspeed the config can hold position in". We might also be able to throw in data comparing front to under mounts as well.

Here's my data and best guess:
Swift with front Askman mount. 7 pounds 12 ounces.
Main Rotor Diameter: 47.25 inches (1200mm)
Estimated maximum wind for nose-into-wind position hold: 15 to 18 mph

EDITED 11-05-2006 - Added table of results - let me know if you feel data is incorrect. Chart to come soon after more data received...

[Nitrospazzz]

Good idea for a thread. I always check the wind report before and after I do a shoot to try to figure out what it was during the shoot. I'll give my best estimate for wind speeds. I know one shoot we did by the water it was too much and I had to reschedule but that was a steady 30mph when I did a weather check. It flew but it was a pain to fly

Here's my data and best guess:
Bergen EB with AF M1 Carbon: 21 lb
Main Rotor Diameter: Can't find a tape measure...but I think it was 5'9" (69 inchs)(1756.2mm)
Estimated maximum wind for nose-into-wind position hold: 25-30 mph

[enigma]

Well, I had to do a test flight to try a new downlink set-up today. The wind is gusting around 25mph in various directions, blowing steady around 12-15mph according to the weather site. The Logo 10 with 550's did pretty well, my current AUW is 6.5 pounds with camera and accessories. (soon to go up with askman mount!) Holding position briefly was doable, but with the wind changing directions I could not hold for too long in any position, Landing was the hardest part, I usually land on the concrete in a little 3 or 4 foot area between the house and car, today I opted to land in the grass!
- enigma

[Menno]

When I took this picture last year the windspeed was 20mph with gusts up to 30mph. The helicopter handled really easy (CARVEC :mrgreen: ) but I was without a cameraman and framing the pictures sucked bigtime.

Also with the wind coming from the side the tilt of the cameramount was not able to compensate for the angle the helicopter had to make to stay on the spot. So horizons where not straight on most pictures.

Heli is a stretched Logo 24 with 680mm blades.

http://home.versatel.nl/menno.ivonne/windyday/080S.jpg (http://home.versatel.nl/menno.ivonne/windyday/080L.jpg)

Menno

[LoopBaCK]

Menno - what was your all up weight? ...and was your mount front or under?

Also hoping to get some of you eRaptor guys to run a test or two and see how well it holds position. I'm guessing eRaptors will hold in up to about 22 to 26mph steady wind but it will depend on the mount position.

[MLaBoyteaux]

I've had the E-Raptor out on some "breezy" days, but not what I would call windy or gusty. I do know it's knocked around more than the 26lb gassers. I've flown the Vario and Condor on days with winds at 25 gusting to 30 and had no problems holding position, other than they get bumped around a lot. Woulnd't shoot video on those types of days, but for stills it's still manageable if you've got good clear LZ.

From my flight testing, I think the E-Raptor's max forward speed is nearly as fast as the big gassers, but in hover since it has less mass, it's easier for it to get knocked around.

I use 20 mph as my max limit for a job. I'll test fly in open spaces at up to 25, but I wouldn't want to be flying around property in that kind of wind.

I did do a test flight with the E-Raptor on a day when we had steady 20mph winds behind a cold front. Didn't have any problems holding a position or flying into the wind, but it was getting tossed around pretty good.

[Menno]

Hi Wes,

My AUW that day was about 13,5 pounds, mount is underslung (Airfoil Carbon 30).

I don't think it is a case of the maximum windspeed in which you can hold the helicopter, but more the maximum windspeed that allows you to properly frame a picture.

Menno

[spork]

If you want to know the absolute max wind you can station hold in, you could simply fly on a day with no wind and clock the max forward speed in level flight. This could be done with a police radar or GPS.