Comments on: Stranded in Vegas, Ramp Repairs, and IFR Flight http://www.marialanger.com/2007/12/02/stranded-in-vegas-ramp-repairs-and-ifr-flight/ Web site and blog for Maria Langer, freelance writer, commercial helicopter pilot, and serious amateur photographer Mon, 15 Mar 2010 12:42:06 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Dan http://www.marialanger.com/2007/12/02/stranded-in-vegas-ramp-repairs-and-ifr-flight/#comment-76757 Dan Mon, 03 Dec 2007 16:33:40 +0000 http://www.marialanger.com/2007/12/02/stranded-in-vegas-ramp-repairs-and-ifr-flight/#comment-76757 Another interesting story. Really liked the part about the torque wrench. I have a small version of the one shown. Another interesting story. Really liked the part about the torque wrench. I have a small version of the one shown.

]]> By: Maria Langer http://www.marialanger.com/2007/12/02/stranded-in-vegas-ramp-repairs-and-ifr-flight/#comment-76602 Maria Langer Sun, 02 Dec 2007 18:14:58 +0000 http://www.marialanger.com/2007/12/02/stranded-in-vegas-ramp-repairs-and-ifr-flight/#comment-76602 Thanks, Shawn! Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks, Shawn! Glad you enjoyed it.

]]> By: Shawn http://www.marialanger.com/2007/12/02/stranded-in-vegas-ramp-repairs-and-ifr-flight/#comment-76600 Shawn Sun, 02 Dec 2007 17:58:30 +0000 http://www.marialanger.com/2007/12/02/stranded-in-vegas-ramp-repairs-and-ifr-flight/#comment-76600 Thanks for all the detail and the photos. That was a tale extremely well told. I really appreciated it. That would qualify for at least one drink at the bar. Thanks for all the detail and the photos. That was a tale extremely well told. I really appreciated it. That would qualify for at least one drink at the bar.

]]> By: Maria Langer http://www.marialanger.com/2007/12/02/stranded-in-vegas-ramp-repairs-and-ifr-flight/#comment-76599 Maria Langer Sun, 02 Dec 2007 17:49:51 +0000 http://www.marialanger.com/2007/12/02/stranded-in-vegas-ramp-repairs-and-ifr-flight/#comment-76599 Turbulence is a weird thing. There are four classifications: Mild, Moderate, Severe, and Extreme. I think I was in moderate turbulence. Here's the definition from the Aeronautical Information Manual: "Turbulence that is similar to Light Turbulence but of greater intensity. Changes in altitude and/or attitude occur but the aircraft remains in positive control at all times. It usually causes variations in indicated airspeed. "Occupants feel definite strains against seat belts or shoulder straps. Unsecured objects are dislodged. Food service and walking are difficult." (Good thing I wasn't eating or taking a stroll to the lav, huh?) What I was in may have been "moderate" but it really felt like it was going to break the helicopter into pieces. Frankly, I was more afraid to attempt a landing than to ride it out. No matter how hard the air seems, it's still softer than the ground. Turbulence is a weird thing. There are four classifications: Mild, Moderate, Severe, and Extreme.

I think I was in moderate turbulence. Here’s the definition from the Aeronautical Information Manual:

“Turbulence that is similar to Light Turbulence but of greater intensity. Changes in altitude and/or attitude occur but the aircraft remains in positive control at all times. It usually causes variations in indicated airspeed.

“Occupants feel definite strains against seat belts or shoulder straps. Unsecured objects are dislodged. Food service and walking are difficult.”

(Good thing I wasn’t eating or taking a stroll to the lav, huh?)

What I was in may have been “moderate” but it really felt like it was going to break the helicopter into pieces. Frankly, I was more afraid to attempt a landing than to ride it out. No matter how hard the air seems, it’s still softer than the ground.

]]> By: Miraz http://www.marialanger.com/2007/12/02/stranded-in-vegas-ramp-repairs-and-ifr-flight/#comment-76597 Miraz Sun, 02 Dec 2007 17:32:29 +0000 http://www.marialanger.com/2007/12/02/stranded-in-vegas-ramp-repairs-and-ifr-flight/#comment-76597 Wow, that's quite a story. I love that you've been able to include the photos - they make a real difference. If that were me I would have been scared ****less in some parts of that flight. You narrate how it went, and sound very confident, just making the required decisions and all. But how did you feel in that turbulence? <em>Miraz's last blog post..</em><a href='http://mactips.info/blog/?p=2363' rel="nofollow">TiKouka in bloom</a> Wow, that’s quite a story. I love that you’ve been able to include the photos – they make a real difference.

If that were me I would have been scared ****less in some parts of that flight. You narrate how it went, and sound very confident, just making the required decisions and all. But how did you feel in that turbulence?

Miraz’s last blog post..TiKouka in bloom

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