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
