This might sound like a bit of a strange question, but can anyone tell me the time from a cold (ignition turned off) start to full power...  how long it took in an emergency for these birds to get airborne from the ground?

Cheers,

Six

Hi

You might be aware of this book already. However, Chickenhawk by Robert Mason is a really good true story of a hellicopter pilot in Vietnam and how he trains to become one. He describes the trials of flying a helicopter in detail and the information you need might be in there but its a great read anyway. I would recommend it strongly just for his story

For what it's worth, the Apache has a 30 minute start-up sequence, although I suspect they could do it quicker if they had to. Given the complexity of the Apache, the older choppers could be airborne a lot quicker I suspect.

Cheers Kiwidave 

Oooo thanks Dickie, I`ll hunt down that book; it does indeed sound like a good read 

No worries (Caveat: I'm going on memory from reading Apache by Ed Macy)

I second Dickie's recommendation re Chickenhawk

I have a friend very well versed in Vietnam stuff (has interviewed a lot of Vietnam vets and his Dad was SF) and just texted him.  He said he was pretty sure it was about 2 minutes.

[edit:  I got more info.  2 min if you don't do a preflight, its all gassed up, untied and clear.  Normally it'd be about 5 minutes.]

Rod

P.S.  I did some internet searching, but couldn't find anything.  But did find an intersesting video.  This one is not a huey but I did find a video of a helicopter doing an emergency take-off from a cold start.  About 2 minutes.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q19Vb_SeMs4

Quote
I have a friend very well versed in Vietnam stuff (has interviewed a lot of Vietnam vets and his Dad was SF) and just texted him.  He said he was pretty sure it was about 2 minutes.

[edit:  I got more info.  2 min if you don't do a preflight, its all gassed up, untied and clear.  Normally it'd be about 5 minutes.]

Rod

P.S.  I did some internet searching, but couldn't find anything.  But did find an intersesting video.  This one is not a huey but I did find a video of a helicopter doing an emergency take-off from a cold start.  About 2 minutes.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q19Vb_SeMs4

Thats PERFECT, thank you so much. I actually had 2 minutes in my head as an emergancy cold start take off... which I based from  watching the things take off at an airshow, and from watching Nam DVDs, but I really wasn`t sure. You have helped me no end with that one and I`m very grateful... cheers