eglamkowski's Journal: What's up with the helos?

It seems like every week or two we hear of yet another helicopter crash in Iraq or Afghanistan.

I realize the conditions there, in terms of weather, terrain and enemy action, is less than ideal, but it still seems to me like we're losing way too many helicopters.

It's not that bad

[Stargoat]

We lose a fair number during peace time.

In Afghanistan, there are more flights. These flights are in more difficult conditions. The flights are taking place in a thinner atmosphere.

The Soviet after-action reports commented on the same problems.

Lots of reasons

[KMAPSRULE]

More usage=more wear and tear
Because of how the rotor blades change pitch as they swing through a rotation they create a lot of vibration so in an active Military zone they may not be getting all the Maintance Time they really need
Also Flying a helo in mountainous terrian is harder on the aircraft check out This link [avstop.com]
In Iraq the Sand is a horrible enemy to helicopter engines, Ive heard stories of turbine internals from the AH-64a & AH-64d models coming back from IQ with a coating of "glass" on them

Like they said...

[RevMike]

The nature of the beast is that helicopters simply can't be operated as safely as fixed wing aircraft at any reasonable op-tempo.

Helicopter attack is dying. The machines are too vulnerable. Predators and other RPVs are just as effective, but no valuable aircrews are put in harm's way. I mean that both in the sense that the American public doesn't want to see our sons and daughters return in coffins, but also in the sense that it takes years and years of training to make an effective pilot, and that ful

To be expected

[Red Warrior]

1. We are overusing the f-k out of them (airframes).
2. Lots of mountains means lots of unseen updrafts/downdrafts/wind shear.
3. Weather. Large changes in temperatures over short periods of time amplify #2.
4. NOE (Nap of Earth) flying cuts reaction time to #2 and #3 to virtually nothing.
5. Airplanes have the aerodynamics to glide. Helos have the aerodynamics of a brick. (Airplanes have a lifting surface with or without power...)
6. We are overusing the f-k out of them (pilots).
And a few more reasons, I'

Most of the pilots are under qualified.

[(H)elix1]

These guys do not get near enough PIC hours. Many of the choppers early on had 'issues' with landing about fifty feet in the air, if I am to believe the stories I heard. Course, many of these folks were flying in absolute crap conditions (sandstorm, night, and folks shooting) without 'instrument' grade qualifications when they send over the reservists. Love to have someone refute that - but I strongly suspect few blackhawk pilots (pre war) had over a 800 PIC hours of time in that bird.

Mind you, this pers