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Fly-over?

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DrEntropy

DrEntropy

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Earlier this AM I heard a rotor-wing that sounded "heavy" compared to the usual Sheriff and news crew choppers that frequent the area. Went out and looked for the source.

It is HIGHLY unusual to see a Pave Low Apache at just 500 feet off the deck. My eyes are good now, BTW.
 
We see them here almost every weekend. Usually the National Guard on manouvers. You're right about the sound, it's entirely different than the usual municipal or news choppers. You almost feel the low pitched thud-thud before you hear it.
Congrats on the new set of eyeballs.
 
I can usually ID the craft before it comes in view just by the sound. Flew with SAR on HH-53's, a lot of UH-1 time as well, they are distinct. You are right, Al, the concussion set that thing apart. A cross between a Jolly and a Cobra. That big ol' ball mounted on the rotor head gave it away visually.

Local Coasties have an old 53 here, and there have been Blackhawks overhead infrequently too but they usually maintain altitude somewhere around 2K~4K feet. I can name that tune.

One news outfit here has a Robinson, that thing actually chirps as it flies. Weird. And it has to be the ugliest helo on the planet, IMHO.
 
This would be the second type spotting in as many weeks, right?
 
Thing is with those Apaches, they can be quieter than just about anything in the air (when they're in a hover). I remember seeing on at Eglin AFB's open house, and distinctly recall being bewildered that the only thing I could hear was the engine whine while it was hovering. I promptly flipped out when the pilot of said Apache later did a series of hammer head stalls that eventually led to him taking the chopper inverted over the air field.

Amazing "bit o kit" those whirlie birds.
 
Yup. a flight came in here not so long ago.
 
We went to the Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis last weeked (we attend every year)...the flyover this year was a single Mitchel B-25 bomber...at an altitude of maybe 300 feet. He came in over Turn 4...and circled the track - twice - "waving" to the crowd as he left the area. I was so awestruck that I forgot to take pictures or video! :( I simply LOVE WWII warbirds!
 
Basil said:
Ever heard an Osprey fly over? We have them flying around here all the time. Very distinct sound.

https://youtu.be/MNEIgklBTSg
Click to expand...

wow... Only seen a few in the wild myself. Hadn't been close enough to register the sound signature. that's a pretty unique sound. From the video sounds kind of like a cross between a C130 and a CH53.

The local aerial fire fighting units have a couple of these:

Kaman.jpg


It has to be the most bizarre sounding helicopter i'd ever seen or heard. It has a distinct swishing sound. This is the best video i could find with it https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y_DeH-YMGR8
 
Does it make me a bad person that the first thing I thought of when I saw the title "fly-over" was Kansas? :grin:
 
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