National Guard Chopper

[HUH]

Can anyone tell me why the Blackhawk with the SAR markings is constantly in the air. I see it everywhere all over the state, no matter where I am. I ski, hike , boat etc. pretty often and have lived within a couple miles of Laconia airport for many years.
I recall a discussion a while back about a fee if you need to be rescued (double taxation) imho. Not sure if it is current law but it must get pricey to have that bird aloft almost 24/7.
Im presuming this is a search and rescue rig and can definitely appreciate its role. Im just not sure why my storm windows are rattled once sometimes twice a day from the chop chop touch and goes at LCI. Is this necessary? I moved to the lake to relax ;)

[Woodsy]

Huh...

I work in Concord on the approach to the airport. Those Helicopters are based out of the Concord Airport and they belons to the either 238th GSAB (Air Ambulance) or 249th LUG (Air Ambulance). They really dont fly all that much unless they are ramping up training for a deployment.

Woodsy

[Onshore]

One of the guys here at DES is with the NH/MI 238th MEDEVAC Unit. They are deploying.

[Tired of Waiting]

Why don't you know? It's big brother watching you. The new eye in the sky!!:D


ToW

[PaugusBayFireFighter]

Imagine what you'd be seeing and hearing had Romney got elected. Like him or not, the fact is, had he been elected POTUS, there would be a lot more "activity" in the region.

(not trying to provoke the "I'd take the increased activity instead of the other guy who got elected" debate stuff)

I'm just pointing out that any POTUS who lives on the lake would bring a lot of extra attention to the lake...good or bad.

[Rusty]

Can anyone tell me why the Blackhawk with the SAR markings is constantly in the air.

How does it refuel if it's constantly in the air? :confused:

[upthesaukee]

How does it refuel if it's constantly in the air? :confused:

No Problem... :laugh:

[dt5150]

and for bonus points, can anyone name the 2 parts pictured (on the tanker and receiver) used in this type of refueling? :D

[Winni-Retired]

Probe & Drouge

[dt5150]

we have a winner! probe and drogue, that is correct.

[Charlie T]

That looks like a particularly dangerous refueling maneuver. I’ve seen fighters refuel where the fighter was behind and below the tanker. Is it an optical illusion in the photo or is the helicopter beside the tanker fuselage and tail? One good side wind could have significant consequences. :eek:

[Happy Gourmand]

and for bonus points, can anyone name the 2 parts pictured (on the tanker and receiver) used in this type of refueling? :D
That was easy.
What is the pilot's middle name? :laugh::laugh:

[HellRaZoR004]

That was easy.
What is the pilot's middle name? :laugh::laugh:

Which one? :rolleye2:

[RailroadJoe]

His name is OHBOY

[rick35]

Probe & Drouge

I saw this happen over the Broads several years back with two helos and a C-130. While one helo tanked the other flew in formation.

[dt5150]

That looks like a particularly dangerous refueling maneuver. I’ve seen fighters refuel where the fighter was behind and below the tanker. Is it an optical illusion in the photo or is the helicopter beside the tanker fuselage and tail? One good side wind could have significant consequences. :eek:

the reason why is because the fighters you saw were being refueled by a different tanker, either a kc-135 or a kc-10. those c-130's like the one in the pic are configured much differently than a kc-135 or a kc-10 tanker. both the 135 and the 10 have the drogue coming off the back of the aircraft (it's attached to the boom on the 135 and on the 10 it comes out of compartment in the fuselage above the boom pod). 135's or 10's can't refuel choppers either. they can't fly slow enough to refuel them, whereas the c-130's can.

[Woodsy]

What DT said!

Note the position of the flaps on the KC-130! That plane is traveling at about 115 knots... only about 15 knots or so above stall speed when refueling a helo! Kudos to the pilot for having the balls for doing that!


Woodsy

[dt5150]

yup, that 130 is crawling along.

130's themselves are a pain to refuel because they're so slow. a-10's too, they're slow as hell. often times a toboggan maneuver has to be done so they can keep up with the tanker. a toboggan maneuver is basically just a slow descent so they can pick up enough speed to keep up so they can complete the refueling.