I recently traded emails with Jerry Lay. Jerry gave me my commercial helicopter checkride back in 2007. Jerry has started his own helicopter consulting and maintenance business. From his email:
"...I am no longer with OSF but started my own consulting business specializing in helicopters/EMS operations/heliport certification. A couple of years ago I started the Saints Flight Program at St. John’s and am presently working as a consultant for the State of Illinois on several of their heliport programs around the State. In addition to that I have expanded my maintenance operation to include the Robinsons and have 3 R44’s I am maintaining."
Jerry is a great guy with EMS and military experience. If you're looking for help with operations or maintenance, I'd recommend talking to him. He's based out of Minonk, IL in the north central part of the state.
Jerry Lay Aviation, LLC
(309) 310-8244
Heliport: IS18
Friday, December 24, 2010
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Winter Helicopter Flying
I'm surprised by the number of comments I get about "winterizing" the helicopter, or being done with flying until Spring. Wintertime does get very cold in Central Illinois - however flying in cold weather is both enjoyable and educational.
Our helicopter can be comfortably flown in temperatures down in the mid 20s F. Below 20 F, it is hard to keep the cabin at a temperature that doesn't require gloves. From a technical point of view, pre-heating the rotor hub and gear boxes is a good idea below 20 F in order to ensure that the rubber boots are not too rigid, allowing fluid weeps. It isn't unsafe to fly when it is really cold - it just may get a bit messy around the hub if the boots weep fluid.
Operationally, the warm-up time on the ground before flying takes an extra 2 to 3 minutes. The engine generates tons of extra heat, so this doesn't take long at all to warm everything up. We also have a oil pan pre-heater that we try to plug in 3 to 5 hours before flying. This makes engine starting easier, and ensures that oil flows freely at start-up.
So no, we haven't "winterized" the helicopter. We try to fly every week - and would love to every day, weather and time permitting!
Our helicopter can be comfortably flown in temperatures down in the mid 20s F. Below 20 F, it is hard to keep the cabin at a temperature that doesn't require gloves. From a technical point of view, pre-heating the rotor hub and gear boxes is a good idea below 20 F in order to ensure that the rubber boots are not too rigid, allowing fluid weeps. It isn't unsafe to fly when it is really cold - it just may get a bit messy around the hub if the boots weep fluid.
Operationally, the warm-up time on the ground before flying takes an extra 2 to 3 minutes. The engine generates tons of extra heat, so this doesn't take long at all to warm everything up. We also have a oil pan pre-heater that we try to plug in 3 to 5 hours before flying. This makes engine starting easier, and ensures that oil flows freely at start-up.
So no, we haven't "winterized" the helicopter. We try to fly every week - and would love to every day, weather and time permitting!
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