Video: Lynx Landing at Sea

[FlyTexas]

http://www.wimp.com/impressivelanding/

Brian

[Chris Trott]

Pretty darned impressive. Honestly though, I'd rather just use RAST -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tAbm2XDpx9w

(PS, yes, this is a calm-seas demonstration. Couldn't find any video of it being used for real of decent quality)

[SkippyBing]

RAST seems more manpower intensive than the harpoon the Lynx uses to hold itself on deck, you don't need people working under the helicopter to attach it to the ship for one thing. Although in both cases you're waiting for the ship to be reasonably level before actually landing on.
Out of interest can RAST hold the aircraft on deck before lift off?

[airboatr]

Here's one that must have been too tired to fly, cau cause him just rolled over and go sleepy.

[Chris Trott]

I think that in bad weather there is a "harpoon"-type capability, but as with everything else with the Navy, they don't necessarily believe that you should train as if you're really in the situation and instead put guys at risk to do stupid stuff like hooking up the system.

[Archer]

I cannot see from that video how the RAST system is supposed to work, but the image of two guys working beneath a hovering chopper is enough to convince me that I'd prefer the harpoon system. Imaging doing that on a pitching and rolling deck with some water splashing over and a stiff wind? You run the risk of going overboard, being hit in the head by a chopper, etc. Not my idea of fun.

[DaveB]

No.. I couldn't see it either I'm afraid but it can't be a barrel of laughs in naughty weather. On the other hand.. that Lynx landing was excellent

ATB
DaveB

[SkippyBing]

As I understand it, with RAST the helicopter lowers a cable to the ship which the deck crew retrieve and attach to a stronger cable on the ship. This is them winched up to the helicopter where the end piece couples with a strong point on the airframe. The ship then winches the helicopter down to the deck with the LSO judging the right point in the vessels oscillations to actually contact the deck.
F**k that for a game of soldiers.

[DaveB]

Yes.. I'd not like to be in a helicopter tethered by a wire to a pitching ship. Much safer (in my mind) to DIY

ATB
DaveB