navy Archives - The Rotary Wing Show Podcast

February 11, 2020February 11, 2020

RWS 83 – SH2 Sea Sprite with Jim Palmquist

Ditching a rapidly yawing helicopter into the open ocean is one of those experiences most of us would happily pass on. Jim Palmquist and his crew onboard a SH2 Sea Sprite survived just such an event during his time as an aircraft carrier search and rescue pilot. The Kaman Sea Sprite is a unique helicopter about which Jim goes into more detail.

‘Plane guard’ is the term used for the search and rescue role of embarked helicopters on a flat top aircraft carrier. The helicopter crews are there to be on the scene as soon as possible should one of the carrier aircraft or ship crew end up in the water. The idea is not to end up in the water themselves! 🙂

A left front view of a Helicopter Light Anti-submarine Squadron 30 (HSL-30) SH-2F Sea Sprite helicopter preparing to land on the helicopter pad of the destroyer USS NICHOLSON (DD-982).

After what was later found to be a crack tail rotor gearbox mounting plate the SH2 Sea Sprite that Jim was captain of experienced severe in-flight vibration followed by loss of yaw control. The crew and aircraft entered the water shortly after and thankfully all the crew were able to to the surface safely.

One of the unique features of the Sea Sprite was the design of a trailing flap on each of the main rotor blades. The blade was flown up and down by adjusting the angle of the flap rather than adjusting the pitch at the blade root as other helicopters do.

The SH-2 Sea Sprite also had a small part to play in the introduction of dedicated helicopter gunships to the US fleet during Vietnam. Jim also tells this story in the podcast and how the AH-1 Cobra ended up be selected.

Jim went on to fly the OH-6 with the Army National Guard and these days volunteers at the American Helicopter Museum.

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Links from this week’s episode:
Support the podcast on Patreon

American Helicopter Museum website. The American Helicopter Museum & Education Center’s mission is to Preserve rotary-wing aviation history, Educate society on helicopters and their missions & Inspire future generations.

Have a comment or feedback about Episode 83? Maybe you have some great tips of your own that others can benefit from. Be part of the conversation by leaving a comment below.

May 14, 2015May 17, 2015

RWS 29 – Ocean Rescues and a Tail Rotor Failure with Jerry Grayson

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Jerry Grayson was a RAN SAR pilot flying Wessex helicopters before starting his own company and later moving into film flying.

As a Royal Navy SAR pilot Jerry Grayson was involved in a number of high profile rescue missions along with the crews of the Wessex helicopters he piloted. He has written a book – Rescue Pilot – that captures many of the stories of this part of his career.

Jerry decided early on in life that he was going to fly. He ended up at a very young age in the Royal Navy flying Sea Kings, Whirlwinds and Wessex machines. In this interview we cover several of the tales from his Navy career including his time upon the aircraft carrier HMS Ark Royal.

[Tweet “I’d had enough of school, its time to go flying”]
[Tweet “The deck of a carrier is THE most exciting place on earth”]

This of course only gets as a few years into Jerry’s career. After leaving the Navy, Jerry started a commercial helicopter company which saw him involved in a wide range of operations and flying a variety of helicopters.

One incident that we spend a little time going into depth on is a tailrotor driveshaft failure that Jerry experienced in an Augusta 109. It’s our hope that listeners might be able to draw in some small way from this experience should they ever find themselves unlucky enough to be in a similar situation.

Jerry has since gone on to significant success and renown as a helicopter film pilot with contracts on several high profile films (including Blackhawk Down with past guest Dennis Kenyon), Formula 1, Soccer World Cup, Olympics, Commonwealth Games and even written, directed and flown for an IMAX film.

There is a lot more to Jerry’s career and achievements so you’ll just have to listen to find out.

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In this week’s episode:

00:52 Rescue Pilot – book by Jerry Grayson
02:40 Book background and media appearances
07:06 BBC Fast Net Yacht Race reunion radio show
09:38 Finding old Whirlwind/Wessex airframes – firefighting training props, paintball field targets
11:50 Air Force Cross – highest award for gallantry in the air (UK) – Greek Medal of Honour
15:47 Meeting the Queen
16:40 Selection board for Royal Navy at 16
18:30 Flying scholarship to civil PPL school and running errands for Micky Lauder, race driver
19:55 British aircraft carrier Ark Royal
20:50 PlaneGuard role to pick up fixed wing aircraft ditching off carriers
22:45 Seaking stranded on the surface with one engine at night
26:35 Navigating overwater before GPS
30:30 Losing map out the window
32:40 Flying the Whirlwind/Wessex
37:30 Film flying and division of cockpit duties
38:50 Tail rotor failure in an Augusta 109
48:15 Airborne external inspection of tail rotor by S76
50:55 The last mile to the runway down to 60kts run on
56:10 Some advice on flying
58:50 What is next for Jerry Grayson
1:01:36 Video of Jerry talking about the Wessex helicopter and the book
1:02:00 Feedback on the show, leave a comment

Links from this week’s episode:
Episode Sponsors trainmorepilots.com
Rescue Pilot – book website
Helifilms Australia – Jerry’s Aerial Filming Company
World Helicopter Day

Jerry talks a little bit about the Wessex helicopter and rescues at sea in this promo video for his book.
[leadplayer_vid id=”555079860B909″]

Jerry is flying in this photo of a Wessex at a base display day. A marine pulled a smoke grenade in the cabin putting the cockpit into IMC on departure.

[Tweet “The airflow in a helicopter is specifically designed to take your map out the window”]
[Tweet “So macho to climb up the side and mount your trusty steed (Wessex Helicopter)”]

Be part of the conversation and get involved in the comments section below. What questions do you have about Jerry’s interview?

September 22, 2014April 11, 2015

RWS 9 – Never Work a Day in your Life with John Eacott

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John Eacott is an experienced helicopter pilot with a wide experience — John Eacott is heavily involved in aviation in and out of the cockpit

John Eacott’s aviation career has spanned 49 years and he’s still adding time on top of that today as an active commercial pilot.

He has spent a huge amount of time flying over oceans as an ex-Royal Navy pilot and multiple stints in the oil industry.

He is also the first nuclear qualified helicopter pilot I’ve ever spoken to and we cover that in the interview.

John has worked for several of the larger companies as well as owned his own helicopter company.

Police, firefighting, aerial photography, banner towing, charter, heli-skiiing, traffic reporting, longlining and film flying – you name it – including flying in antarctica. – John has done it.

He is also heavily involved in the industry outside the cockpit being a long time member and office holder in The Honourable Company of Air Pilots and is a frequent contributor to online forums.

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00:50 49 years in aviation
01:53 Meet John Eacott
02:25 6 yrs old and wanted to be a pilot
03:40 Into the Royal Navy
04:40 Flying training and Wings
06:10 Wessex helicopter on Anti-submarine operations
08:30 Sea King trials unit and introduction to service
10:20 Travelling the globe
10:50 Nuclear depth charges
12:00 SAR
13:08 Nigeria time on oil and gas with Alouettes and floats
15:04 North Sea flying 212s living on the rigs
17:10 1979 working out of Derby and Broome (Australia)
19:30 OMEGA navigation system
21:40 Navigating off a plotting board
23:53 Okanagan Helicopters Australia and S-61
26:02 Bombay and getting engaged
27:55 S-76s in Bass Strait and IFR helicopter operations
29:22 Victorian Police Air Wing (Dauphin)
30:58 TV stations and National Safety Council
31:45 Bob Jane T-Marts and V8 Super Cars
32:40 Low level filming accident
35:05 NSW Fire Fighting
37:05 Trained reactions in emergency
38:30 Twin engine emergencies
39:50 Airmanship
43:42 Guild of Air Pilots
44:40 Pilot-less helicopters
46:30 Aviator – not a systems operator
47:45 Flag flying with BK117
49:55 Antartica helicopter operations
53:50 Iceberg breaking off
56:20 Freedom of the City and Guild Livery, Master Air Pilot No. 1144
57:25 Tips for new pilots
1:02:20 Leave a comment on the blog
1:02:48 Pilot recruiting interview – send in your questions to [email protected]
1:03:50 Sponsors trainmorepilots.com

Links from this week’s episode:
John’s Aerial Photo Gallery
The Honorable Company of Air Pilots

[Tweet “I’ve never worked a day in my life. I’ve just flown for a living. Its not a job, its a vocation.”]

[Tweet “The controls would actually go the opposite way of what you wanted, which was character building.”]

[Tweet “A calm day in the North Sea is 20kts. #helicopters “]

royal-navy-wessex-600px — Royal Navy Wessex similar to what John flew

A BK117 of John's in the Victorian Ski Fields — A BK117 of John’s in the Victorian Ski Fields

As usual, please feel free to continue the conversation in the comments.