Got to Race a Helicopter

Pretty cool day; 175 top speed before having to shutdown; the Aventadors were doing 190+, a 720S went 194mph on the runway. A bit over a mile before shutdown

Looks fun! Who won?! I'm definitely not trying to be a buzz kill, but unfortunately most helos aren't as fast as modern Lambos. I'm not a Cobra pilot and I don't know if there are modernizations made to these de-militarized machines, but the AH-1F manual talks about an airspeed limitation up against a torque setting of 62.5% being 150 knots indicated (~172mph). However, we keep most helicopters speed-limited for airframe life considerations and the aircraft can likely accomplish more. I would assume the Cobra could physically get to around 180 knots (~207 mph) empty/clean, but I know a CH/MH-53E can still outstrip it. Some lighter helos like the TV news and police helicopters can be easily outrun by Earth-bound traffic, especially if the winds aren't in their favor. Heavy helicopters can go fast due mainly to massive horsepower and massive blades. An empty H-53 in

from a hover would demolish a new Lambo. It would also demolish an F/A-18 to 500 feet going straight up.

 

All helicopters, the way we build them (their size, shape, weight, power, blade size/shape, etc.), are ultimately limited aerodynamically to figures just above 200 knots due to the principle of retreating blade stall...assuming there is enough power to get there. That is where the helicopter is moving fast enough forward such that the retreating blade bites increasingly slower and more disturbed airflow and begins to stall while the advancing blade still gets a clean look into the wind. The imbalance this causes when only one half of the rotor disc is producing lift results in vibrations, uncommanded pitch & roll, and ultimately loss of control if uncorrected.

Cobra was faster off the line that expected and spent most of my time chasing, believe the faster cars waited a bit to start. Goal was to get a picture mid way with both in the frame of view. we had a strong tail wind that I believe helped the Helo more than me in the Super G. That said I took it to redline in all gears and got to run the car at max all out in a safe manner on a clear runway. Could have got top speed with another 3000ft or so. Runway was 7500ft and they shut you down about 1800 from the end for safety; amazing how fast these cars can stop. Was super stable throughout.

Looks fun! Who won?! I'm definitely not trying to be a buzz kill, but unfortunately most helos aren't as fast as modern Lambos. I'm not a Cobra pilot and I don't know if there are modernizations made to these de-militarized machines, but the AH-1F manual talks about an airspeed limitation up against a torque setting of 62.5% being 150 knots indicated (~172mph). However, we keep most helicopters speed-limited for airframe life considerations and the aircraft can likely accomplish more. I would assume the Cobra could physically get to around 180 knots (~207 mph) empty/clean, but I know a CH/MH-53E can still outstrip it. Some lighter helos like the TV news and police helicopters can be easily outrun by Earth-bound traffic, especially if the winds aren't in their favor. Heavy helicopters can go fast due mainly to massive horsepower and massive blades. An empty H-53 in

from a hover would demolish a new Lambo. It would also demolish an F/A-18 to 500 feet going straight up.

 

All helicopters, the way we build them (their size, shape, weight, power, blade size/shape, etc.), are ultimately limited aerodynamically to figures just above 200 knots due to the principle of retreating blade stall...assuming there is enough power to get there. That is where the helicopter is moving fast enough forward such that the retreating blade bites increasingly slower and more disturbed airflow and begins to stall while the advancing blade still gets a clean look into the wind. The imbalance this causes when only one half of the rotor disc is producing lift results in vibrations, uncommanded pitch & roll, and ultimately loss of control if uncorrected.

 

 

I've heard some cool things about the big helos. I love those birds. That 53 was moving! And to think the 47 is the fastest one?! Love those too!

Yeah, if only you could have had a longer runway. 7500 is a little short. I'd love to see the cars stretch out on a 12k and dust the helo.

 

Well, D-man, it's tricky. The H-47 is allowed to go fast. It becomes a matter of how the engineers assess airframe stresses and fit contract requirements for lifespan flight hours. Operationally, the '53E is limited to 150 knots even though the test pilots have had it well over 200 with more left to go...they're just trying to make it last x-hours over several decades. To rescue Scott O'Grady in Bosnia, the 53's initially left the Cobra escorts in the dust and then recollected themselves...oops. Some of that is advertising, to sell more helos since H-47 variants are still competing for contracts. The new CH-53K is a 200+ knot monster, 7500shp x3 engines.

Looks awesome, looks like you have lots of fun chasing the AH-Cobra

All helicopters, the way we build them (their size, shape, weight, power, blade size/shape, etc.), are ultimately limited aerodynamically to figures just above 200 knots due to the principle of retreating blade stall...assuming there is enough power to get there. That is where the helicopter is moving fast enough forward such that the retreating blade bites increasingly slower and more disturbed airflow and begins to stall while the advancing blade still gets a clean look into the wind. The imbalance this causes when only one half of the rotor disc is producing lift results in vibrations, uncommanded pitch & roll, and ultimately loss of control if uncorrected.

thanks Mr Science!

Machines doing over 170 mph is a win on all fronts in my book

Yeah, if only you could have had a longer runway. 7500 is a little short. I'd love to see the cars stretch out on a 12k and dust the helo.

 

Well, D-man, it's tricky. The H-47 is allowed to go fast. It becomes a matter of how the engineers assess airframe stresses and fit contract requirements for lifespan flight hours. Operationally, the '53E is limited to 150 knots even though the test pilots have had it well over 200 with more left to go...they're just trying to make it last x-hours over several decades. To rescue Scott O'Grady in Bosnia, the 53's initially left the Cobra escorts in the dust and then recollected themselves...oops. Some of that is advertising, to sell more helos since H-47 variants are still competing for contracts. The new CH-53K is a 200+ knot monster, 7500shp x3 engines.

 

Good info. I suppose the bean counters get in the way of all the fun with those

 

I met O'Grady many year ago, very nice guy from my experience, and an incredible story. I can imagine the excitement of the 53 crews to "get moving" glad they buckled back down to wait for the escorts!

 

Yeah they don't call it the King for nothing, the 53K sounds nuts, especially when it can lift what, 3x the load of a SS? Yeah, that's a damn monster.

 

Is the latest 47 variant the 47F? They plan on riding that airframe for a while yet don't they?

Machines doing over 170 mph is a win on all fronts in my book

Especially when done on a closed circuit which increases safety (to the extent possible)

 

08 Bull - Thanks for sharing. Very cool!

Is the latest 47 variant the 47F? They plan on riding that airframe for a while yet don't they?

They're still flying variants of the H-47 all over the world. The MH-47G is the cool kid's spec ops toy and the CH-47F will be in production for several more years. The '53E can lift more than a '47 (the '53K can lift A LOT more). The MH-53E grosses out at 69,750, whereas the '47 is in the 50,000lb range, and the '53E has an 80' rotor diameter vs. the Chinook at 60' dia. Both are about 100' long. The '47 is great at dual point lifts, is

, and can tolerate tail winds better with two rotors (although a '53E can still get into an LZ pretty fast with a

). The V-22 can't do any of that stuff, but it can cruise at 300 knots. The CH-53E, and especially MH-53E, has more fuel and more range. They can both move about the same number of troops and perform similarly in hot/high environments.

 

Cobra was faster off the line that expected and spent most of my time chasing...

Did the snake stay low the entire run? Even holding 120 knots 25' off the ground is pretty challenging.

stayed low the hole time, the day before they ran with a Mig, that thing was 20ft off the ground.

 

https://www.mattpanepintophotography.com/Ca...AirshowExotics/

 

Some shots from Matt.

 

For an 08 this Super G is holding up well, over 21K miles but still runs strong

stayed low the hole time, the day before they ran with a Mig, that thing was 20ft off the ground.

 

https://www.mattpanepintophotography.com/Ca...AirshowExotics/

 

Some shots from Matt.

 

For an 08 this Super G is holding up well, over 21K miles but still runs strong

 

EPIC. No real words to describe those pics other than EPIC. Some of the Mig shots are badass

stayed low the hole time, the day before they ran with a Mig, that thing was 20ft off the ground.

 

https://www.mattpanepintophotography.com/Ca...AirshowExotics/

 

Some shots from Matt.

 

For an 08 this Super G is holding up well, over 21K miles but still runs strong

 

Photos look great. Whomever was behind the stick of that MiG is a madman, i can’t get over how low they are!

 

Also, any shots of the C-47 in the background? Looks stunning!

Here is who put the event on, if its in your area would do it

 

http://www.precisionexotics.com/

 

 

The photos are spectacular, love the quality!

Update, based in AZ, but they're offering rides at different So Cal locations this summer for $325 or $525.