rotorwash and pilotchutes....

[avenfoto 0]

how do they interact? generally how much downdraft are we talkng about? in a standstill hover at 400 ft msl for example...

im thinking s/d from 350ish from heli, but wondering how low is to low?

how far away from bird necessary for "clean" airflow..

[Naptown 0]

I don't know if it helps but I watched our mutual friend do a go and throw from a heli at 400'
It looked normal, I can find the video if you want.

[FIREFLYR 0]

Sounds like fun, hey everyone, lets go SKYDIVING!
~J
Edited to add;
Are you asking about jumping from a heli, or taking pictures from one say, 15 yards in front of an object?
What will the rotorwash do to the open canopy at that altitude?
~J

"One flew East,and one flew West..............one flew over the cuckoo's nest"
"There's absolutely no excuse for the way I'm about to act"

[pilotdave 0]

Depends on the size/weight of the helicopter. 100 feet under a 70,000 lb CH-53E, downwash is ~85 knots. At 45,000 lb and 100 feet below, downwash is ~23 knots (according to the flight manual). It's really related to "rotor disc loading" (ie wing loading for a helicopter), not weight.

Dave

[tfelber 0]

I've done it many times from different altitudes and different delays. I've experienced no adverse effecs using my Flik293 or my Nitro135. I've used a D-bag each time though. When I mentioned doing it slider-off, several people were quite amused.

---edited to add--
From 400', no d-bag, no-slider, and a 2-3 second delay I would think you would be clear of turbulent air. At 2-3 sec delay you would be 100-200 ft below the copter...

[TomAiello 26]

I'm going to move this thread to General Skydiving, and leave a pointer in BASE. It's possible that someone with far more helicopter jumping experience will see it there and have something useful to add.

-- Tom Aiello

Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com
SnakeRiverBASE.com