Camarillo Airshow!

[Mike]

Hey guys!

Check this out!


You might already know that a lot of our characters are based on people we know. Of course we always get their permission and so far everybody was really excited to become a character. Jason, Captain Ed, Ray, Julio, and even the FAA guys are based on real people. So was Chuck. I will tell you more about the background (IF you guys are even interested...)
Of course Chuck is based on my life as well but a lot of Chuck is "inspired" by this guy.
His name is....well......Chuck!
He was so excited that he had to have this character on his helicopter which we finally did at the Camarillo Airshow today.Check it out!

[Mike]

Of course let me point out that the real Chuck is happily married and usually isn't as awkward around women (much like me as well....... I think...uhm    )

The real Chuck is actually the only certified helicopter aerobatic pilot in the US. You should check him out Sunday on the CMA show and if you miss it, he will also be at the Nellis Airshow and the San Francisco Airshow later this year.
As you can probably tell, he flies for Red Bull. Look for him and tell him you're Chicken Wings fan.


More on the show and some CW background later....

[Frank N. O.]

Wow! A real Chuck! But being a certified aerobatic pilot then I'm sure he's not like the chicken Chuck right?
But, is there really only one certified helicopter aerobatic pilot in all of USA when there are 3 in Germany?

Thanks for the info, I have to show my brother Michael this (he's visiting atm).
Frank

[spacer]

Well, I think the chicken Chuck is a pretty prolific aerobatic pilot, just not on purpose.
 

[Frank N. O.]

Lol good one Velo. Mike is that the pilot with the Bo-105 that was in touch with the german pilot from the Raab in Gefahr clip I showed earlier?

And speaking of helicopter stunts, did you have a clip of that recording of the jets flying right under you where you had problems getting to the planned altitude fast enough with the cameracrew on board at that sports-event?

Frank

[Mike]

Lol good one Velo. Mike is that the pilot with the Bo-105 that was in touch with the german pilot from the Raab in Gefahr clip I showed earlier?

Yeah, it's a funny story really but that guy you see in the video (with the white gloves) is the guy who trained the real Chuck since, like you mentioned, there isn't anybody in the states who can do this.

Let me tell you, the performance was unbelievable. He didn't do all of the crazy things Rainer did on the video but seeing a helicopter do a barrel roll live with my own eyes......AWESOME!!!
Not all the spectators really knew that this has never been done before in the states but I made sure I told everybody who stopped by at the booth...
(I actually got a free Red Bull for it....wouldn't you know . . .  HA HA )

[Mike]

Now, you really have to see this live but check out the pic!

[spacer]

That model has a one-piece rotorhead, doesn't it?
I'm impressed. I've heard of this but have yet to see it live.

[Frank N. O.]

Awesome! I wonder what a Gazelle can do compared to this, probably not as much though, but I still think it looks better, but then again, like with all forms of vehicles, exterior looks don't make much of a difference if the handling is there

Btw, Velo did you see the stream-feed from german tv I linked to in this forum a while ago? The one showing a german reporter/comic/singer who went up with the german guy that Chuck's talked to that actually flew a stunt-sequence from hell in a identical bird? It's a sight to behold and very friendly of the station (Pro7) to allow and host free looks at the clip

Frank

[fireflyr]

Was that the one where  the dude had to puke

[Mike]

That model has a one-piece rotorhead, doesn't it?
I'm impressed. I've heard of this but have yet to see it live.

The actual head is milled out of one piece of titanium I have heard, but I'll ask the real Chuck.
The rotor head looks almost like a standard fully articulated system with the exception of some weird flyweights....
But I do know that the whole gearbox is mounted verrrrrry rigidly to the frame and has no rubber mounts which makes the aircraft very responsive (must be exciting going in and out of ETL with this one...hehe)
Another cool thing is that the blades don't flap much (maybe the rigit munting of the gbx or the rotorspeed) so there is no threat of the blades going through the tailboom....

I'll find out more soon!

[fireflyr]

ETL???  Was is das?

[Frank N. O.]

Was that the one where  the dude had to puke

I think so yes, the crazy comic/singer/talk-show host with the beard and the weird hat that didn't work since he didn't understand how aerobatics works.

And about ETL then I'll also ask: Was ist das für ein Ding?

Frank

[Mike]

ETL ??

It's a rotor-wing aerodynamics thing that happens when transitioning into forward flight and when going back into a hover....

Stands for: Effective Translational Lift

But you guys knew that, right?!

[fireflyr]

ETL ??

It's a rotor-wing aerodynamics thing that happens when transitioning into forward flight and when going back into a hover....

Stands for: Effective Translational Lift

But you guys knew that, right?!

Not really--it's something you don't need when your wing-thingys move at the same speed as the fuselage