Robinson R22 Helicopter - Aerobatics "Cool Cuts Showcopters"

This video shows the capability of the Robinson R22 helicopter. Technically it's not aerobatics per say like a fixed wing airplane; it's what the helicopter is capable of in normal flight. Autorotations, flying backwards (the rotor disc doesn't care which way it's flying), turning, climbing descending. It's pretty cool how they do all these maneuvers in formation. I'd love to see this demonstration in person. You can tell these guys have 1000's of hours of experience. The lead pilot is a Vietnam veteran helicopter pilot, Jim Cheatham. Excellent demonstration, check it out, amazing!

Side Note: I was sad to find out that Showcopters were a Salinas, California based team headed by Jim Cheatham who died in March 2009. Once an instructor at Verticare Helicopters and Airplanes in Salinas, Cheatham eventually took over the fixed-wing and rotary flight training, sales and service business. He started Showcopters in 1996, and soon the three-ship team -- flying Robinson helos -- attracted a following at air shows throughout the country. Helicopter Association International did a nice little write up on Jim Cheatham and so did Vertical Reference here. I would have loved to seen their demonstration in person.

Jim Cheatham;  January 5, 1942 ’ March 11, 2009

Obituary:

Thursday, March 12, 2009

Local business owner Jim Cheatham died suddenly in his home early Wednesday morning. Cheatham experienced a minor heart attack and corrective angioplasty one week prior.

Cheatham was recently in the news regarding how his business was devastatingly affected by the economic crisis. A significant factor of his business collapse was the abruptly canceled helicopter contract with the Monterey County Sheriff’s Department. Cheatham was left with massive overhead for the nearly one Million dollar specialized aircraft. Just another victim of major budget cuts.

Born in Laveen, AZ on January 5, 1942, Cheatham later served as an aircraft mechanic and helicopter pilot in the United States Army, completing tours in both Viet Nam and South Korea.

Jim Cheatham moved to the Salinas area in 1967, working for Clevenger’s Air Service. He purchased the company in late 1970 and changed the name to Verticare Helicopters in 1971. During his 42 years flying out of the Salinas Airport, Cheatham utilized his piloting skills performing in airshows, cropdusting, aerial photography and filming, charter services, and flight training.

Cheatham is survived by his significant other, Cheryl Harris (Big Sur, CA); sister Janice Shoemaker (Boerne, TX); children Jodi Serrano (Sacramento, CA), Captain Amanda Evans (Osan AFB, South Korea), Stacey Wilson (Soledad, CA), Kylie Pachuilo (Salinas, CA), Amy Hayes (Yukota NAS, Japan), and Burton Cheatham (Salinas, CA); and seven grandchildren. He will be greatly missed, as he was adored by his family.

A Celebration of Jim’s life will be held in the Verticare Hangar (240 Mortensen Ave) at the Salinas Airport on Monday, March 16th at 11:00am.

-WATCH FOR THE WIRES-

..."and if you do hit them, keep flying the helicopter"...

-Jim Cheatham

RIP

What if the Helicopter has Engine Failure?

Don't crash your helicopter! Full Down Engine Off Landing - Autorotation in a Robinson R22

Friends are always asking what happens if your engine quits? You do an autorotation to the ground. In the event of engine failure helicopters can and do glide in what we call an autorotation. In effect we become gyrocopters during the autorotation phase of flight. Have you ever seen a Sycamore leaf spin to the ground? Instead of the engine driving the main rotor the wind drives the rotor. Through tons of practice we develop the skills required to land the machine without engine power. It's an exciting and quick maneuver; a definite test of concentration and reflexes.  Now that I'm going for my CFI (certified flight instructor) rating, I am learning how to do these full down autorotations, which is a required maneuver for the CFI check ride.

Autorotation in the Robinson R44, West of Birchwood, Alaska April 2010

This video seems to run best in 360p or 480p format; you can change this on the bottom right of video panel after you start the video.

I added another video to "My Videos" on You Tube. We were doing a training flight in order to get my PIC (pilot in command) sign off in accordance with SFAR 73 of the FAR in the Robinson R44 Helicopter. I'm doing an autorotation with power recovery West of Birchwood, Alaska.

Instructional Maneuver Videos in the Robinson R-22

R22   Beta II

These particular videos are some of the basic maneuvers you will be learning in the Robinson R-22. They are in the "Practical Test Standards" (PTS) and are maneuvers you must become proficient in to pass the practical portion of your check ride with an FAA designated examiner. I studied these videos closely  in order to be prepared for my lessons. It might even save you some bucks, and we could all save a little money,  mainly because you’re mentally prepared before the lesson and you'll learn the maneuvers quicker. You know, doing your homework so to speak.

KUDOS to Michael for taking the time to record and publish these R-22 helicopter training videos! I for one appreciate having these videos at my disposal.

Lesson on How to Pick up a Helicopter

Lesson on How to Hover a Helicopter

Lesson on How to do a Pedal Turn in a Helicopter

Lesson on How to Side step a Helicopter

Lesson on How to Air Taxi a Helicopter

Lesson on How to Perform a Quickstop in a Helicopter

How to Do Full Down Autorotations with a Power Recovery  A couple of exceptions I have with this video; 1) Never push in (off) carb heat during an auto or a descent with power settings below 18 on the MP, see Robinson Safety Notice 25, full carb heat is required and recommended. 2) Make sure you practice positive exchange of controls, I don't see that here. A three step procedure should be used and goes like this..."I've got the controls", "You've got the controls", "I've got the controls". That way we know for sure who's on the controls. It only takes a nano second to lose control. Other then that I really enjoy watching this video.

Lesson on Hover Autorotations in a Helicopter

Lesson on Slope Landings with a Helicopter

Lesson on Autorotations - Part 1
Lesson on Autorotations - Part 2
Recent video of Michael teaching autorotations with a student

Lesson on Settling with Power + ATC Radio Communication

How to Perform Normal Takeoffs and Approaches in a Helicopter

Having fun Getting a Commercial Add-on in 10 Days;
Practicing Autorotations
This one is entertaining to watch, hell they're all fun to watch.

Again thanks Michael...

Helicopter Pilots are Different

Click on cartoon "twice" to see it better :-)

Mary found this cartoon for me on the internet. I do have one caveat with this retrospect of helicopter pilots from Harry Reasoner. In the event of engine failure helicopters can and do glide in what we call an autorotation. In effect we become gyrocopters during the autorotation phase of flight. Have you ever seen a Sycamore leaf spin to the ground? Instead of the engine driving the main rotor the wind drives the rotor. Through tons of practice we develop the skills required to land the machine without engine power. It's an exciting and quick maneuver; a definite test of concentration and reflexes. Other than that the cartoon is spot on!