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Agusta109K2:AlpineMedivacRescue
StraightUp'sexplorationofverticalflightbeginswithahighimpactalpinerescueamidanavalancheThedramaticopeningsequencedocumentsthedangerousworkoftheRegamountainrescueteamandtheinvaluableroleoftheAgustaA109K2helicopterinsavinglivesandminimizinginjuries
AsthecamerapansoverbeautifulvistasofthesnowcoveredSwissAlps,itcutstoacornice,asachunkofsnowbreaksfree,triggeringanavalancheThetranquilsceneisshatteredastheavalanchethundersdownthemountainslopesWithterrifyingspeed,itheadsstraightforamotherandchildtrappedintheircar,wheelsspinningontheicyroad
Themothercallsforhelponhercellphone,andasecondcallfromasnowplowpromptsradiodispatchTheRegamountainrescueteamalreadyisairborneenroutetothescene,theredcrosspaintedonthehelicopter'swhiteunderbellysignalingthatmedicalhelpisonthewayThemotherescapes,buthersonismissingWithinminutesofthehelicopterlanding,therescueteamdigoutthecar,extractthetrappedboy,applyfirstaid,andairlifthimandhismothertosafety
Asignificantmountainhazard,avalanchesareresponsibleformanydeathseachyearTimeisoftheessenceinavalancherescueworkApersonhasa90percentchanceofsurvivaliffoundwithinthefirst15minutes,butone'schancesofsurvivaldiminishwitheachpassingminuteNotonlydohelicoptersprovidequickaccessforrescueteams,theyalsoprovidealifelinetomedicalcareFlyingtheinjuredtothenearesthospitalasrapidlyaspossibleisnottheonlytypeofrescueoperation;oftenhelicoptersbringthehospitaltotheinjured,whoreceivetreatmentatthescene
ThepowerfulavalanchewasshotinBritishColumbia'sSelkirkMountainsunderthesupervisionoftheCanadianAvalancheAssociationTheCAAcontrolsavalancheriskforthesafetyofheliskiersTocapturetheavalancheheadon,avalancheexpertandfilmmakerSteveKrochelandDavidDouglasdevelopedaquarterinchthicksteelcontainerfortheIMAXcamera,whichwasequippedwithatriggeringdeviceandabeepersothatthecameracouldbefoundoncetheavalanchehadsweptitdownthemountain
TherescuewascompletedinSwitzerland'sBerninaPassneartheItalianborderFilmingtheRegarescuehelicopterairtoairsequenceturnedintoaninternationalexcursionasDouglaschasedthesunlightoverItalyinonedirectionandinAustriainanotherbeforesettingdowninSwitzerlandInanotherdramaticshot,DouglascenteredtheredcrossinthecrosshairsofthecameralensasthecraftdescendedTofacilitatethisshot,DouglasdugaholeinthesnowlargeenoughtoaccommodatehimselfandtheIMAXcameraInsidethehole,3feetbelowthehelicopter,hefilmeditstakeoff
AccordingtoDouglas,"Thehelicopteristheinstrumentofrapidresponsetonaturalphysicalandsocialdisastersaroundtheworld,alleviatinghumansufferingonamajorscaleFortheindividualcaughtbeyondthelimitsoftrainingorequipment,oftenthelastchanceforsurvivalisthehopethatahelicopterwillgettothemintime"
ThePitcairnPCA2,"MissChampion"
ForcenturieshumansdreamedofflightTheChinese,inthe12thcentury,developedatoyhelicoptermadefromapairofslatsmountedonastick,butseriouseffortshadtowaituntiltheearly20thcenturyThen,aftertheWrightbrothers'historicflightatKittyHawk,wedreamedofflightunfetteredbythelimitationsofrunwaysandairportsYetbytheearly1930swewerestillatthedawnofthepracticalrotorcraft,whichpromisedtogiveformtohumanity'svision
Thetenyearperiodbetween1925and1935wasanexcitingtimeinaviationhistory,butfewaircraftsocaughtandheldthepublic'sattention,astheAutogiroNicknamedthe"flyingwindmill,"thisstrangelookingaircraftwasfirstsuccessfullyflownin1923bytheSpanishinventor,JuandelaCierva,whohadbeenworkingonthedevelopmentofsuchacraftsince1919TheAutogirofascinatedtheairmindedpublicbecauseofitsremarkableperformanceandhighdegreeofsafety,attractingsuchleadersofAmericanaviationasCharlesLindberghandAmeliaEarhart
JuandelaCiervasoldtheAmericanmanufacturingrightstoHaroldPitcairnin1928Pitcairn'sAutogiroboastedamoremodernfuselagewithbetteraerodynamicqualitiesItalsoprovidedprospectivebuyerswithachoiceofeithera300or420horsepowerengine
Inthefilm,HaroldPitcairn'ssonStephenflies"MissChampion,"a1931modelThisAutogiro,usedforpromotionbytheChampionSparkPlugCompany,iscontrolledlikeanairplane,butisliftedwithbladesAlthoughtheoriginalrotorbladeshaveseen1,600hoursofflighttime,theyarestillairworthyWitha330horsepowerWrightR975Eengine,theAutogirohasacruisingspeedof98mphandatopspeedof118mph"MissChampion"ledaNationalAirTourandmadethethenrisky300milelongflightfromMiamitoHavana,CubaUntilthen,thelongestoverwaterflightbyanAutogirohadbeen25milesinlengthLater,"MissChampion"flewnonstopoveradistanceof500milestoChichenItzaintheYucatanrainforest"MissChampion"wasretiredfromactiveservicein1932aftersettinganewaltituderecordforrotarywingaircraftClimbingtoaheightof21,500feetin1932,theAutogirosurpassedthepreviousrecordsetbyAmeliaEarhartToday,theAutogiroisconsideredtobetheevolutionary"missinglink"fromwhichthepracticalhelicopterwasborn
FortyyearslaterStephenPitcairnbegantheformidabletaskofcollectingandrestoringexamplesofhisfather'saircraftHetrackeddown"MissChampion"andinOctoberof1982beganthepainstakingtaskofrestoration,usingtheoriginalPitcairnfactorydrawingsInthespringof1985"MissChampion"flewagain
TheBell47G:AFlyingLesson
SincePitcairn'sAutogiro,improvedcontrolsystemsallowtheairframetorisedirectlyfromthegroundwithapoweredrotorStraightUpputsyouinthepilot'sseatofaBell47GasthebasicelementsofhelicopteroperationaredemonstratedTheBell47G'ssinglerotorconfigurationisbyfarthemostcommontypeusedtodayYourflyinglessonbegins
Asahelicopterpilot,thepilotusesallfourlimbstofly,allatthesametimeWiththelefthandholdingthecollectivepitchcontrollever,hepullsupeversoslightly,andwegostraightupintoaslowmotionhoverThespinningrotorbladesactassmallwings,buttheyspinsofastthattheycreateonecontinuousdiscofliftWhenthebladeschangeangle,orpitchcollectively,thehelicopterrisesorfallsThepilot'srighthandalwaysholdsthecycliccontrol,effectivelytiltingthewhirlingdiscabovePointleft,tiltleftPointright,tiltrightThecamerathenclosesinonthetailrotorOnceagain,thealteringofthebladesaffectsdirectionThechopperspinsinresponsetothepilot'sdepressingoneofthetwofootpedalsIfhedepressesthesecondpedal,thehelicopterspinsintheoppositedirection
ThePiaseckiH21BTandemRotorAircraft,"TheFlyingBanana"
ThelastflyingH21Bhelicopterintheworldtakesoff,headsforthebeachandcruises100feetabovethePacificsurfoffthecoastofCaliforniaOneoftheearliesttandemhelicopters,theH21Brepresentsthebirthoftheheavylifthelicoptersanddatesbacktotheearly1950sNicknamed"TheFlyingBanana"foritsshape,theH21BhadmorepowerandgreaterstabilitythanprevioushelicoptersThetandemrotorH21Bcarriestwosetsofwoodenbladessituatednearly50feetapartbutoperatedbyonesetofhelicopterflightcontrolsThepilotmustbeevervigilant,asthishelicoptercouldrapidlyinvertshouldthepilotletgoofthecontrols
ThevintageH21BusedforthefilmwasdecommissionedfromtheUSAirForcein1972andwasrestoredbytheCaliforniabasedClassicRotors:TheRareandVintageRotocraftMuseumThisnonprofitmuseumandrestorationfacility,dedicatedtothepreservationofunique,vintageandrarerotorcraft,spentmorethan10,000hoursreturningtheH21BtoairworthinessEveryhourflownrequires100hoursofmaintenanceClassicRotorsistheonlymuseumofitskindtomaintaineighthelicoptersinflyingconditionWhenitsnewfacilityinSanDiegohasbeencompleted,themuseumwillexpanditsexhibitsfrom15to30vintagerotorcraft
OneofthehighlightsofitscollectionisafamousrelativeoftheH21BThisisaV44thecommercialversionoftheH21nicknamed"TheHolyOne"andistheonlyonetolandattheVaticanandbeblessedbythepopeWhileona1959demonstrationtourinEurope,thehelicopteranditscrewhadprovidedhelptoItaliancommunitiesfollowingadevastatingearthquake
FutureHelicopterDesigns
Oneaspectofcurrentresearchcentersaroundthedevelopmentof"quiettechnology"thatwillallowhelicopterstobecomebetterneighborsandtooperatemorestealthilyinpoliceandmilitaryoperations
Quiettechnologyadvancesrelyonacombinationoftechnologies,whichincludeimprovedrotorbladedesignandtheuserofrotorsystemswithfourormorebladesReplacingthetailrotorwithaCoandaeffectNOTARNoTailRotorsystemgoesalongwayinreducingnoise,asdoesshroudingthetailrotorinanarrangementknowasa"faninfin"Otheradvancesfocusonnoisedampeningairinletsandimprovedenginenozzles
Newhelicopterdesignsaretestedintheworld'slargestwindtunnelattheNASAAmesFlightResearchCenterlocatedatMoffettFieldinCaliforniaAmeswasfoundedin1939asanaircraftresearchlaboratoryoftheNationalAdvisoryCommitteeforAeronautics,whichbecamepartoftheNationalAeronauticsandSpaceAdministrationNASAin1958NASAhastheleadingroleinaerospaceoperationssystems,whichincludeairtrafficcontrol,flighteffectsonhumans,androtorcrafttechnologyNASAAmesscientistsandengineersstudyrobotichelicopters,highspeedhybrids,andadvancesinquiettechnologyThecenteralsohasmajorresponsibilitiesforthecreationofdesignanddevelopmenttoolsandforwindtunneltesting
TheNASABellXV15Tiltrotor
Inthefilm,anXV15convertsoverDallasFortWorthAirportTheXV15isanexperimentalrotorcraft,theparentofanewfamilyofaircraftcalled"tiltrotors"ThetiltrotorcombinesthehoveringabilityofthehelicopterwiththespeedofafixedwingaircraftTheXV15cantakeoffandlandlikeahelicopterTheaudiencewillseetheenginestiltingforwardasthetiltrotorbecomesahighspeedplane
TheBellBoeingV22Osprey
AV22Ospreyunwraps,emerginglikeaprehistoricflyingdinosaurBuiltprimarilyfortheUSMarines,AirForce,andNavy,theV22OspreyhaswingsthatpivotandrotorsthatfoldtofacilitateitsstorageatseaInlessthan90seconds,youwillseetheV22completethisprocessAlthoughstillclassifiedasatiltrotor,itisfaster,withthreetimestherangeandmorethantentimesthepayloadofitspredecessorItshowsthepromiseoflongdistancetravel,withoutairports
TheHawk4Gyroplane
Rotorcraftevolutionisalsointhehandsoftheentrepreneur,andthisindependentspiritismostevidentintheHawk4GyroplaneWhilesomedesignsproducegroundbreakingchanges,thisaircraftbroughttheeconomyandsafetyoftheAutogirointothespaceageArotorisusedforslowspeedflight,butathighspeedcruisingalltheliftisprovidedbythewingwhiletherotorhasnoliftTheGyroplaneshowspromiseasahighspeed,lowdiscloadingrotorcraft
TheBoeingSikorskyRAH66Comanche
TheComancheripsanddipsacrossthescreen,setagainstasunsetThisprototypehelicopterhasstealthtechnologyIt'ssmart,agile,fastandinvisibletoradarIt'sthefirsthelicoptertoproviderealtimedigitaldatatoheadquartersSeeinginthedark,sensingtheforcesatplayaroundusandactingontheevidenceinrealtime,theComancheisacomplexflyingmachinewithahumanbeingatitsheartEveryday,inunexpectedways,itextendsourpowersandputsustoworkwitharevolutionarytool
TheComancheisthecentralelementoftheUSArmy'sfutureObjectiveForceInadditiontoitscomplementofmissilesand20mmcannon,theaircraftcarriesstateoftheartsensorsandavionicstoprovidebattlefieldcommanderswithsomuchaccurateinformationaboutenemymovementsThisknowledgewilltranslateintomoreprecisetargeting,increasingtheeffectivenessoffriendlyforcesbeyondcurrentcapabilities
TheUSArmyhasdefinedarequirementofmorethan1,200ComanchesfortheObjectiveForceTheRAHComanche,thearmy's21stcenturycombathelicopterisbeingdevelopedbytheUSArmyandateamofleadingaerospacecompaniesheadedbytheBoeingCompanyandSikorskyAircraftCorporation,aunitofUnitedTechnologiesCorporation
TheSikorskyUH60BlackHawkandAS350B2AStarEnforcetheLaw
Eventsswiftlyunfoldastheradarplanespotsan"unidentified"CessnadroppingbundlesofdrugsoffthecoastofMiamiatdawnAsignalalertstheMarineandAirBranchofUSCustomswhospeedouttointerceptthesmugglersJustasthedrugsaretransferredfromboattovan,TheAStarhelicopterburstsoverthetreetops,deployingatacticalteamtoarrestthedriverWhilethesmuggler'sCigaretteboatattemptstoescape,aBlackHawkhelicopterdipsdowntocreateagiantbackwashInastunningdisplayofimpeccableteamwork,thisactionforcesthefleeingboattoswervetoahaltasaCustomsboatcutsitoffandapprehendsthecriminals
Onatypicalday,theUSCustomsServiceexamines13millionpassengers,2,642aircraft,50,889trucks/containers,355,004othervehicles,588vessels,64,923entriesandundertakesthefollowingenforcementactions:64arrests,107narcoticseizures,223otherseizures,9currencyseizuresTheseamountto5,059poundsofnarcotics,$443,907incurrency,$228,803inconveyances,$525,791inmerchandiseandmorethan$15,800inarmsandammunition
FilmedoveraperiodoffivedaysoffthecoastofMiami,theair,land,andseadrugbustwasstagedbytheUSCustomsService,whichreliesheavilyonhelicoptersduringsuchoperations
USCustomspilot,TomStanton,participatedintheshootwithhiscopilotKimberlyKesselKesselisoneofsevenwomenUSCustomspilotsandonlyoneoftwoqualifiedtoflyBlackHawksBothpilotsvolunteeredtoworkwiththefilmcrewSaysKessel,agraduateofEmbryRiddleAeronauticalUniversity,"Theywerephenomenal,readytotryanything"
Inadditiontodaytimeflights,Stantonfliestheriskiernightmissions"Flyingatnightisdangerousasyouloseallperceptionofwhat'supordownbecauseboththeskyandoceanareblack,sotheyjustkindofrunintogetherThere'snohorizononthosedarknights,"saystheveteranpilot
Typicallyhefliesfrom300to500feetabovethewaterat120to150knots"Notmanypeopleflythatlow,eveninthedaytime,"saysStanton"There'snoautopilot,soit'shandsonPlusyou'rechasingsomeoneYouhavetobeawareItcangettenseoutthere"
Stantondescribesanairchase:"Oncethere'satarget,welaunchajetwithradarThejetpilotcallsthehelicopteroutandwelinkup,flyinginformationWefollowthebadguywhereverhegoesIfhehasextendedrangefueltanks,weleapfrogandsendanotherhelicopterouttotakeupthechaseTheBlackHawkcarriesfivehoursoffuelWhenhegetsintohislandingconfiguration,wecallthelocalpoliceorsherifftohelpusout"TheBlackHawk,whichcancarryupto14people,typicallycarries4or5armedpersonnel,"soweinstantlyhaveaforceofpoliceofficerstheretogetthebadguys"
"Ifit'saboat,wehaveCigaretteboatslikethesmugglersWe'llcallourboatandhaveitintercept"StantonfliestheBlackHawknexttotheboat,makingithardforthesmugglerstonavigate"ItintimidatesthemintogivingupSometimestheydo[but]sometimeswechasethemforhoursOrwe'llfollowthemintoamarinaandblockthemuntilourboatscomeIftheyhitthebeach,we'llcallthestatepoliceorsheriff,andtheysetupaperimetersotheguycan'tgetout"
Stanton,whofliesmissionsasoftenasonceortwiceaweek,hasbeenflyingfor26years,13ofthoseasanarmyhelicopterpilotbeforehejoinedUSCustomsinMiamiwhereheisthe"standardizationinstructorpilot"Hemakessurethateverybodyfliesthesameway,sothatwhentheyteamup,thepilotseasilyworkintandemPilotsfly8hourshiftsandtheoperationgoeson24hoursaday,7daysaweekinareascoveringboththeCanadianandMexicanlandborders,theAtlanticandPacificcoastlines,andtheGulfofMexico
TheMD500EHelicopter
AMD500helicopterhoversdirectlyabove500,000voltpowerlinesAsitinchescloser,alightningboltsuddenlyzapsoutfromthehotline,arcingtowardthewandextendedbyalinemanperchedonanaluminumplatformthatjutsoutfromthehelicopterThe"hotlinequalified"linemanclampsontothepowerlines,andhelicopterbacksoff,leavinghimto"wirewalk,"crawlingalongparallellinestoinspectthePPLpowerlinegrid,100feetoffthegroundToreboardthehelicopter,thelinemanmust"bondoff,"reversingtheprocedure
"Idon'tgivetwohootsandaholleraboutflyinginsideahelicopterPutmeoutside,that'swhereIwanttobe,"saysDaniel"Spider"Lockhart,AgRotorslinemanThere'sonlythreethingsI'vebeenafraidofmostofmylife:Onewaselectricity,onewasheightsandtheotherwaswomenAnd,I'mmarriedtoo,"hegrins"ThesafestlinemanisonethatisafraidofelectricityWhenwebondtothepowerlinesenergizedathalfamillionvolts,wehavetobringourselvestothesamepotentialThatiswhyyouseethatarcjumpingouttoourwandaswemakeboththehelicopterandthepowerlineatthesamepotential,sothatwecaneliminatetheflowofcurrent,"explainstheveteranlineman
Spiderwearsaprotectivehotsuit,75percentNomexforfireretardationand25percentstainlesssteelthread"ThemetalthreadbasicallymeansIhaveacagearoundmethatcanbeenergizedaTV版eryhighvoltagelevelsAhalfmillionvoltspassovermybody,butIcanworkwithoutinterferencefromtheelectricity"
Hecontinues,"Watchingthatelectricityjumpoutwhileyou'reenergizingthehelicopterisathrillGettingonthewire,walkingthewiretodorepairsisathrillThebiggestthrillIgetisfromdoingwhatIdoisbeingabletodobothtogethertheelectricalpartandthehelicopterpartofit,thespeedatwhichwecandoitandstillbesafeTherearesomanythingsthatthehelicopterenablesustodoaslinemen,whichisveryrewarding"
TheteamworkoftheskilledhelicopterpilotsandhighlytrainedlinemenensurethatthePPLCorpprovidesaconstantsourceofelectricitytoits13millioncustomersinPennsylvaniainadditionto44millioninLatinAmericaandEuropeTomaintaintheintegrityofthetransmissionsystemtoresidentialandcommercialestablishments,andtoensurethesafetyoftheoperation,theteamplansandrehearseseverymovewhileonthegroundbeforetakeoffEvenso,unanticipatedgustsofwindandglarefromthewirescanaffectthepilot'sdepthperception,requiringtotalconcentrationduringhishoursatthecontrolsAsthehelicopterisisolatedfromtheground,thepilotandlineman,cladinprotectivestainlesssteelsuits,mustbondontothetransmissionlinestobringthemselvestothesamevoltagepotentialofthelinetoworksafelyparallelingwhatabirddoeswhenitsitsonawire
ProbablythemostunusualplacethatthedirectorriggedthecamerawasontheendoftheplatformontheMD500,whichisdesignedtocarrythelinemanashebondsontothehalfmillionvoltpowerline"Wetookawaythelinemanandputthecamerainhisplace;thelinemanrodebehindthecameraandusedhiswandtodrawthearcofelectricityrightontothecameralensIdon'tthinkit'sbeendonebeforeItblewalltheelectronicsoutofthecameraacoupleoftimesbeforewefiguredouthowtodoit,"recallsDouglas
TheBoeing234Helicopter:HeliloggingwithLimitedEnvironmentalDamage
FloatingabovetheforestinnorthernCalifornia,a12tonBoeing234helicopterselectsitstargetwithprecisionSelectiveloggingisaprocesswhereonlyaportionoftheavailabletimberisremovedfromaloggingsiteAsingletreeisliftedstraightupfromtheforestfloor,leavingtherestoftheareaenvironmentallyintactRemovingsuchtimberveryoftentreesthatarealreadydeadordiseasedallowstheremainingtreestothriveontheadditionalresourcesofsunlight,water,andsoilnutrientsHeliloggingisenvironmentallyfriendlyinotherwaysaswellFirst,sincethelogsareliftedfromtheground,littlesoilerosion,typicalofconventionalloggingmethods,occursSecond,inmanycasesthehelicopterisabletouseexistingroadsforlandings,meaningnonewroadsneedtobebuiltintotheareabeinglogged
ColumbiaHelicopterscutsmorelogseachyearthananyotherhelicopterloggingcompanyTopreparethetimberforthehelicopter,thespeciallytrainedloggingcrewcutitintocarefullyweighedsectionsColumbia'sflightcrewsareamongthemostexperiencedatlonglineworkintheworldWithspeedandprecision,theyareabletomoveheavyloadsoflogsattheendoflinesupto350feetlongOncethelineisloweredfromtheBoeing234helicopter,steeltongsclampthelogandtheentiretreeisremovedwithoutdisturbingthebalanceofnature"It'skindalikelookin'down25storiesandpickingupatelephonepole,"commentsthehelicopterpilot,DaveStroupe,whodepositsthetimberatanearbytransferyard"Theuniquethingaboutthishelicopteristhat,whenwetakeofffromtheground,weweighapproximately22,000poundsAndwe'reriggedforabout26,000poundswhenwegetlowonfuelSotheloadactuallyweighsmorethanthehelicopterIt'sexcitingandharrowingallatthesametime"
TheBoeing234shavealiftcapacityof28,000lb,12,727kg,butmostoftencarryloadsbetween23,000lb,10,454kgto24,000lb10,909kgduetoelevationandairtemperatureconsiderationsThecompanytrainsloggerstoworkwithhelicoptersbecauseloadweightissuchadramaticpartofwhattheydoWeightisdetermined,usingaformula,whichareafunctionofthevolumeandthetypeofwoodDifferenttreespecieshavedifferentweightspervolume
Whenoneofthepilotssuggestedusingthelogasaplatformforthecamera,DouglasrealizedanotherexcitingcameraangleThepossibilityexistedthatthebranchescouldscrapeoffthecameraasthelogwashauledupDouglaspreventedthisbyplacingthecamerainsideaheavysteelavalanchebox,whichheanchoredontheendofabiglogOncethelogwasgrappled,thehelicopterhauledtheprotectedcamerarightthroughthebranches,givingtheaudienceabreathtakingviewfromtheperspectiveofthelogTheUSMarineCorpsAV8BHarrier,AH1WCobra,CH53ESuperStallionandCH46ESeaKnightonaMilitaryMission
AnAV8BHarrierjetdemonstratesitsverticallandingabilityfollowedbyaforcereconnaissanceinserviceexercisefromanaircraftcarrier,asMarinesclimbaboardtheCH53EAH1WCobrasandHarriersformanassaultsupportpackage,asthereconnaissanceteamsetsoutonamissiontoobtaininvaluableintelligenceabouttheenemy
InsidetheCH53E,themachinegunnerisatthereadyasaCobrafiresthreerocketsTheactionheatsupastheIMAXcameracapturestheMarinesfastropingthroughthe"hellhole"andslidingdownaropedanglingfromtheCH53E,landinginenemyterritoryTheleaderofthereconnaissanceteamsays,"Bythetimeyougettotouchropeinalivesituation,youandyourmenfeeltighterthanfamilyYourfatesaretiedlikethestrandsofarope"
TwohourslatertheMarineshavecompletedtheirmissionandarereadytobeevacuatedNowtheenemyhuntsthemonthegroundTreesshakeastherescueCH53Ehelicopterhoversoverhead,loweringaropetothesquad,nowuptotheirwaistsinwaterOneaftertheother,inamatterofseconds,themenclipthemselvesontotherope"Extraction,evenmorethaninsertion,iswhenyouneedspeedYou'vebeenawfulquietSuddenly,you'reawfulloud,"saysSgtJamesKenneke,thesquadleaderHe'sfirstinandlastoutLiftedup,likewashingonaline,thesquaddanglesbeneaththehelicopterasitisescortedbyCobras,outovertheAtlantic
"It'sarelieftogetoutButthere'sthatmomentofdoubtEverythingslowsdownwhileyou'reexposed�holdingyourbreathforthathappyendingAndwhenyougetit,youfeelontopoftheworldOfcourse,thenwe'vegottocommutehomejustlikeeverybodyelse,"smilesKennecke
TheMi26andMi8DeliverHumanitarianAid
Sometimes,somethingverypreciousmustbedeliveredbehindenemylinesfoodSierraLeoneisanationthathassufferedyearsofconflictFromthefooddepottothehotspot,helicoptersprovideanairbridgeHoistingfoodandmedicalsuppliestodistressedpeoplebehindrebelheldterritories,theyhavetheabilitytohopoverhotzonesindesperatesituations
Theworld'slargestproductionhelicoptertheRussianmadeMi26istheworkhorsefortheUnitedNationsUNpeacekeepingoperationinwartornSierraLeoneTheheaviestproductionhelicopterintheworld,thismajesticeightbladedcraftoneoffourcharteredbytheUNfromRussiacancarryamaximumof44,090lb20,040kgofinternalpayloadorupto70troopsTheMi26'stopspeedis183mph295kphandithasarangeof304miles400km
Inthissequence,theMi26isloadedwithcargotosupplyUNtroopsprotectinganisolatedcommunityinthecenterofrebelheldterritoryTheworld'slargestfoodagency,theUNWorldFoodProgramWFP,organizedamassiveaircampaigntargetinginternallydisplacedpersonsthathadcongregatednearaclinicformalnourishedchildrenOncerebelsfromtheRevolutionaryUnitedFrontRUFhadsurroundedtheareaandblockedroadaccess,theWFPwaspreventedfromcompletingabulkdistributionInstead,theyloadeduptheirMi8andflewtotheDaruclinicwherethemosTV版ulnerablewomenandchildrenwerelocated
"AllchildrenunderfivewhoaremalnourishedaregivenaspecialfeedingprograminDaruAndtheunderfivearealwaysthefirstonesyoutargetforanykindofextrememalnourishedcases,becausetheydieveryquickly,"saysAyaShneerson,programofficerfortheWFP"Daruisakindofanisland,asafeisland,surroundedbyareasthatareunsafe,"shesays,"andforthatreason,italwaysservedasasortofmagnetfortheveryvulnerablepeoplecomingout"
AnotherbigWFPoperation,FoodforPeace,givesfoodtochildexcombatants,inanefforttoattractthemtodisarmamentanddemobilizationcamps
Theheavilyladencraftflewoutofthecapitalcity,Freetown,situatedonthewestcoastofAfricabetweenGuineaonthenorthandLiberiaonthesouthTheWFPsupervisesavarietyoffeedingprogramsinthedisplacementcamps,feeding5,000inanoperationthattargetedBunbuna,KabalaandDaruin2000
Throughouttheworld,helicoptershavesavedmillionsofhumanlivesThereare777millionpeopleindevelopingcountries,accordingtotheWFPIn2001theWFPfed77millionhungrypeople10percentofthehungrypoorin82countries
Diamonds,whichshouldhavebroughtprosperitytoSierraLeone,insteadresultedinoneofthemodernworld'smostbrutalinsurgencies,datingbackto1991whenrebelslaunchedawartooverthrowthegovernmentIntheensuingyears,continuousbattlesbetweenthevariousfactionsrebels,thearmyandthegovernmentdisplacedtensofthousandsofinnocentcivilians,resultinginhungerandfamineIn1998UNobserversdocumentedreportsofongoingatrocitiesandhumanrightsabusesIn1999negotiationsbeganbetweenthegovernmentandtherebels,andanagreementwassignedinLometoendhostilitiesandformagovernmentofnationalunityBy2000,theUN'sexpandedroleresultedinthedeploymentof17,500militarypeacekeepingpersonneltovariouspartsofthecountryFreeelectionsinMay2002havegivenhopeandafreshstartedinSierraLeone
TheAS350B2andAS350B3UsedforWildlifeRelocation
InSouthAfrica,helicoptersarehelpingtosavetheblackrhinofromextinctionProtectedinafewremotepreserves,theirnumbersarerisingHowever,shouldtherhinosfeelovercrowded,theywillfighttothedeathToprotectthespecies,somemustberelocatedtosafehabitats,butthisiseasiersaidthandone
AplatformdanglesfromahelicopteroverheadInsideanotherhelicopter,flyinglowovertheSouthAfricanveldt,amanwitharifletakesaimatablackrhinoceros,dodgingthroughthebushesbelowThepilotconcentratesonflying5feetaboveand10to15feetbehindtherhinoAnticipatingitseverymove,awildlifeveterinarianpullsthetriggerofhisgunloadedwithatranquilizerdart,scoringadirecthitthatsuccessfullypenetratestherhino'sinchthickskin
"WhenIamdartinganimalsliketheblackrhino,thereisthisimmensetrustbetweenmyselfandPiet,thepilot,"sayswildlifeveterinarian,DrDouwGrobler,whospecializesinimmunizationsandtranslocations"Iknowexactlywhathe'sgoingtodoandwherehe'sgoingtoplacemeIdon'thavetothinkIcanjustconcentrateontheanimalsIjustknowhe'sgongtoputmethereintherightspotattherighttimeIt'salmostthathesenseswhattheanimal'sgoingtodoInthatway,hecanchangetheanimal'smindwithhishelicopter"
Groblerhasmeasuredaspecificdrugdosage,whichcankeeparhinoasleepforuptotwohoursOncetherhinoisdarted,thegroundcrewlandsassoonaspossibletoundertakeamultitudeoftasksTheymonitorthebeast'svitalsigns,takeskinandbloodsamplestostudyitsbasichealthandtodetectanynutrientsthatarelackingThisensuresthatthehabitatishealthyforlongtermpropagationTheyalsoconductpregnancytestingEachrhino'searisnotchedsothatitcanbeidentifiedeasilyfromtheairandgroundThetipofthesecondhornisremovedtoprovidematerialforgeneticresearch,andatransmitterisfittedintotherhino'shornfortrackingitswhereaboutsPoacherspresentaconstantdangertotherhinos'securityShouldapoacherremovethehornforexport,thetransmitterwouldtriggeranalarm
Whentwomalesinhabitthesameterritory,onemustberelocatedbeforetheybattletothedeathPlacingaslinginposition,thecrewrollstherhinoaboardtheplatform,makingsureitisfullyasleepWithaliftingcapabilityof3,500lb1,590kg,theAStarB3canrelocatethe2,250lb1022kgrhinotoanareaofthesanctuarythatisaccessibleonlybyhelicopter
TheextensiveresearchonelevenblackrhinosacquiredduringthefourdayshootwasmadepossibleonlythroughSKFilm'sfinancialcontribution"MyfieldofexpertiseliesinthecaptureandrelocationofAfricanwildlifeIamextremelygratefultoStraightUpforsponsoringthisincrediblyimportantresearchandrelocationprogramatthegameparkWithoutthefilm,thisresearchwouldnothavehappened,"saysGrobler,whoorganizedthecapture,researchandrelocationproject,withthefilm'sproductioncrew"Everyanimalisjustsovaluable,"hesays,"andanyinformationthatcanbecollectedonthemisworthitsweightingold"
Theprehistoricancestoroftoday'srhinosexistedmorethan50millionyearsagoAmongtoday'sfiverhinospecies,theblackrhino,whichhastwohorns,hassufferedthemostspectacularrateofdeclineFromapopulationof65,000in1970ithadbeenhuntedalmosttoextinction,decliningtoapopulationof2,300by199293CurrentstatisticsindicatethattheAfricanblackrhinopopulationhasrisento3,500asaresultoftheprotectionofnaturereserves,developedbyconservancygroups,agenciesandgovernmentstofacilitatebreedingandrelocationprograms
ThissegmentofStraightUpwasfilmedinonesuchreserveinSouthAfrica,whereblackrhinoshadbeenreintroducedin1986Thehelicopter,anirreplaceableco
