Agusta109K2:AlpineMedivacRescue
StraightUp'sexplorationofverticalflightbeginswithahigh-impactalpinerescueamidanavalanche.ThedramaticopeningsequencedocumentsthedangerousworkoftheRegamountainrescueteamandtheinvaluableroleoftheAgustaA109K2helicopterinsavinglivesandminimizinginjuries.
Asthecamerapansoverbeautifulvistasofthesnow-coveredSwissAlps,itcutstoacornice,asachunkofsnowbreaksfree,triggeringanavalanche.Thetranquilsceneisshatteredastheavalanchethundersdownthemountainslopes.Withterrifyingspeed,itheadsstraightforamotherandchildtrappedintheircar,wheelsspinningontheicyroad.
Themothercallsforhelponhercellphone,andasecondcallfromasnowplowpromptsradiodispatch.TheRegamountainrescueteamalreadyisairborneenroutetothescene,theredcrosspaintedonthehelicopter'swhiteunderbellysignalingthatmedicalhelpisontheway.Themotherescapes,buthersonismissing.Withinminutesofthehelicopterlanding,therescueteamdigoutthecar,extractthetrappedboy,applyfirstaid,andairlifthimandhismothertosafety.
Asignificantmountainhazard,avalanchesareresponsibleformanydeathseachyear.Timeisoftheessenceinavalancherescuework.Apersonhasa90percentchanceofsurvivaliffoundwithinthefirst15minutes,butone'schancesofsurvivaldiminishwitheachpassingminute.Notonlydohelicoptersprovidequickaccessforrescueteams,theyalsoprovidealifelinetomedicalcare.Flyingtheinjuredtothenearesthospitalasrapidlyaspossibleisnottheonlytypeofrescueoperation;oftenhelicoptersbringthehospitaltotheinjured,whoreceivetreatmentatthescene.
ThepowerfulavalanchewasshotinBritishColumbia'sSelkirkMountainsunderthesupervisionoftheCanadianAvalancheAssociation.TheCAAcontrolsavalancheriskforthesafetyofheli-skiers.Tocapturetheavalanchehead-on,avalancheexpertandfilmmakerSteveKrochelandDavidDouglasdevelopedaquarter-inch-thicksteelcontainerfortheIMAXcamera,whichwasequippedwithatriggeringdeviceandabeepersothatthecameracouldbefoundoncetheavalanchehadsweptitdownthemountain.
TherescuewascompletedinSwitzerland'sBerninaPassneartheItalianborder.FilmingtheRegarescuehelicopterair-to-airsequenceturnedintoaninternationalexcursionasDouglaschasedthesunlightoverItalyinonedirectionandinAustriainanotherbeforesettingdowninSwitzerland.Inanotherdramaticshot,Douglascenteredtheredcrossinthecrosshairsofthecameralensasthecraftdescended.Tofacilitatethisshot,DouglasdugaholeinthesnowlargeenoughtoaccommodatehimselfandtheIMAXcamera.Insidethehole,3feetbelowthehelicopter,hefilmeditstakeoff.
AccordingtoDouglas,"Thehelicopteristheinstrumentofrapidresponsetonaturalphysicalandsocialdisastersaroundtheworld,alleviatinghumansufferingonamajorscale.Fortheindividualcaughtbeyondthelimitsoftrainingorequipment,oftenthelastchanceforsurvivalisthehopethatahelicopterwillgettothemintime."
ThePitcairnPCA2,"MissChampion"
Forcenturieshumansdreamedofflight.TheChinese,inthe12thcentury,developedatoyhelicoptermadefromapairofslatsmountedonastick,butseriouseffortshadtowaituntiltheearly20thcentury.Then,aftertheWrightbrothers'historicflightatKittyHawk,wedreamedofflightunfetteredbythelimitationsofrunwaysandairports.Yetbytheearly1930swewerestillatthedawnofthepracticalrotorcraft,whichpromisedtogiveformtohumanity'svision.
Thetenyearperiodbetween1925and1935wasanexcitingtimeinaviationhistory,butfewaircraftsocaughtandheldthepublic'sattention,astheAutogiro.Nicknamedthe"flyingwindmill,"thisstrange-lookingaircraftwasfirstsuccessfullyflownin1923bytheSpanishinventor,JuandelaCierva,whohadbeenworkingonthedevelopmentofsuchacraftsince1919.TheAutogirofascinatedtheair-mindedpublicbecauseofitsremarkableperformanceandhighdegreeofsafety,attractingsuchleadersofAmericanaviationasCharlesLindberghandAmeliaEarhart.
JuandelaCiervasoldtheAmericanmanufacturingrightstoHaroldPitcairnin1928.Pitcairn'sAutogiroboastedamoremodernfuselagewithbetteraerodynamicqualities.Italsoprovidedprospectivebuyerswithachoiceofeithera300-or420-horsepowerengine.
Inthefilm,HaroldPitcairn'ssonStephenflies"MissChampion,"a1931model.ThisAutogiro,usedforpromotionbytheChampionSparkPlugCompany,iscontrolledlikeanairplane,butisliftedwithblades.Althoughtheoriginalrotorbladeshaveseen1,600hoursofflighttime,theyarestillairworthy.Witha330-horsepowerWrightR975-Eengine,theAutogirohasacruisingspeedof98mphandatopspeedof118mph."MissChampion"ledaNationalAirTourandmadethethen-risky300-mile-longflightfromMiamitoHavana,Cuba.(Untilthen,thelongestover-waterflightbyanAutogirohadbeen25milesinlength.)Later,"MissChampion"flewnonstopoveradistanceof500milestoChichenItzaintheYucatanrainforest."MissChampion"wasretiredfromactiveservicein1932aftersettinganewaltituderecordforrotary-wingaircraft.Climbingtoaheightof21,500feetin1932,theAutogirosurpassedthepreviousrecordsetbyAmeliaEarhart.Today,theAutogiroisconsideredtobetheevolutionary"missinglink"fromwhichthepracticalhelicopterwasborn.
FortyyearslaterStephenPitcairnbegantheformidabletaskofcollectingandrestoringexamplesofhisfather'saircraft.Hetrackeddown"MissChampion"andinOctoberof1982beganthepainstakingtaskofrestoration,usingtheoriginalPitcairnfactorydrawings.Inthespringof1985"MissChampion"flewagain.
TheBell47G:AFlyingLesson
SincePitcairn'sAutogiro,improvedcontrolsystemsallowtheairframetorisedirectlyfromthegroundwithapoweredrotor.StraightUp!putsyouinthepilot'sseatofaBell47Gasthebasicelementsofhelicopteroperationaredemonstrated.TheBell47G'ssingle-rotorconfigurationisbyfarthemostcommontypeusedtoday.Yourflyinglessonbegins.
Asahelicopterpilot,thepilotusesallfourlimbstofly,allatthesametime!Withthelefthandholdingthecollectivepitchcontrollever,hepullsupeversoslightly,andwegostraightupintoaslow-motionhover.Thespinningrotorbladesactassmallwings,buttheyspinsofastthattheycreateonecontinuousdiscoflift.Whenthebladeschangeangle,orpitchcollectively,thehelicopterrisesorfalls.Thepilot'srighthandalwaysholdsthecycliccontrol,effectivelytiltingthewhirlingdiscabove.Pointleft,tiltleft.Pointright,tiltright.Thecamerathenclosesinonthetailrotor.Onceagain,thealteringofthebladesaffectsdirection.Thechopperspinsinresponsetothepilot'sdepressingoneofthetwofootpedals.Ifhedepressesthesecondpedal,thehelicopterspinsintheoppositedirection.
ThePiaseckiH-21BTandemRotorAircraft,"TheFlyingBanana"
ThelastflyingH-21Bhelicopterintheworldtakesoff,headsforthebeachandcruises100feetabovethePacificsurfoffthecoastofCalifornia.Oneoftheearliesttandemhelicopters,theH-21Brepresentsthebirthoftheheavylifthelicoptersanddatesbacktotheearly1950s.Nicknamed"TheFlyingBanana"foritsshape,theH-21Bhadmorepowerandgreaterstabilitythanprevioushelicopters.Thetandem-rotorH-21Bcarriestwosetsofwoodenbladessituatednearly50feetapartbutoperatedbyonesetofhelicopterflightcontrols.Thepilotmustbeevervigilant,asthishelicoptercouldrapidlyinvertshouldthepilotletgoofthecontrols.
ThevintageH-21BusedforthefilmwasdecommissionedfromtheU.S.AirForcein1972andwasrestoredbytheCalifornia-basedClassicRotors:TheRareandVintageRotocraftMuseum.Thisnonprofitmuseumandrestorationfacility,dedicatedtothepreservationofunique,vintageandrarerotorcraft,spentmorethan10,000hoursreturningtheH-21Btoairworthiness.Everyhourflownrequires100hoursofmaintenance.ClassicRotorsistheonlymuseumofitskindtomaintaineighthelicoptersinflyingcondition.WhenitsnewfacilityinSanDiegohasbeencompleted,themuseumwillexpanditsexhibitsfrom15to30vintagerotorcraft.
OneofthehighlightsofitscollectionisafamousrelativeoftheH-21B.ThisisaV44(thecommercialversionoftheH-21)-nicknamed"TheHolyOne"-andistheonlyonetolandattheVaticanandbeblessedbythepope.Whileona1959demonstrationtourinEurope,thehelicopteranditscrewhadprovidedhelptoItaliancommunitiesfollowingadevastatingearthquake.
FutureHelicopterDesigns
Oneaspectofcurrentresearchcentersaroundthedevelopmentof"quiettechnology"thatwillallowhelicopterstobecomebetterneighborsandtooperatemorestealthilyinpoliceandmilitaryoperations.
Quiettechnologyadvancesrelyonacombinationoftechnologies,whichincludeimprovedrotorbladedesignandtheuserofrotorsystemswithfourormoreblades.ReplacingthetailrotorwithaCoanda-effectNOTAR(NoTailRotor)systemgoesalongwayinreducingnoise,asdoesshroudingthetailrotorinanarrangementknowasa"fan-in-fin."Otheradvancesfocusonnoise-dampeningairinletsandimprovedenginenozzles.
Newhelicopterdesignsaretestedintheworld'slargestwindtunnelattheNASAAmesFlightResearchCenterlocatedatMoffettFieldinCalifornia.Ameswasfoundedin1939asanaircraftresearchlaboratoryoftheNationalAdvisoryCommitteeforAeronautics,whichbecamepartoftheNationalAeronauticsandSpaceAdministration(NASA)in1958.NASAhastheleadingroleinaerospaceoperationssystems,whichincludeairtrafficcontrol,flighteffectsonhumans,androtorcrafttechnology.NASAAmesscientistsandengineersstudyrobotichelicopters,high-speedhybrids,andadvancesinquiettechnology.Thecenteralsohasmajorresponsibilitiesforthecreationofdesignanddevelopmenttoolsandforwindtunneltesting.
TheNASA-BellXV-15Tilt-rotor
Inthefilm,anXV-15convertsoverDallas-FortWorthAirport.TheXV-15isanexperimentalrotorcraft,theparentofanewfamilyofaircraftcalled"tilt-rotors."Thetilt-rotorcombinesthehoveringabilityofthehelicopterwiththespeedofafixed-wingaircraft.TheXV-15cantakeoffandlandlikeahelicopter.Theaudiencewillseetheenginestiltingforwardasthetilt-rotorbecomesahigh-speedplane.
TheBell-BoeingV-22Osprey
AV-22Ospreyunwraps,emerginglikeaprehistoricflyingdinosaur.BuiltprimarilyfortheU.S.Marines,AirForce,andNavy,theV-22Ospreyhaswingsthatpivotandrotorsthatfoldtofacilitateitsstorageatsea.Inlessthan90seconds,youwillseetheV-22completethisprocess.Althoughstillclassifiedasatilt-rotor,itisfaster,withthreetimestherangeandmorethantentimesthepayloadofitspredecessor.Itshowsthepromiseoflong-distancetravel,withoutairports.
TheHawk4Gyroplane
Rotorcraftevolutionisalsointhehandsoftheentrepreneur,andthisindependentspiritismostevidentintheHawk4Gyroplane.Whilesomedesignsproducegroundbreakingchanges,thisaircraftbroughttheeconomyandsafetyoftheAutogirointothespaceage.Arotorisusedforslow-speedflight,butathigh-speedcruisingalltheliftisprovidedbythewingwhiletherotorhasnolift.TheGyroplaneshowspromiseasahigh-speed,low-disc-loadingrotorcraft.
TheBoeing-SikorskyRAH-66Comanche
TheComancheripsanddipsacrossthescreen,setagainstasunset.Thisprototypehelicopterhasstealthtechnology.It'ssmart,agile,fastandinvisibletoradar.It'sthefirsthelicoptertoprovidereal-timedigitaldatatoheadquarters.Seeinginthedark,sensingtheforcesatplayaroundusandactingontheevidenceinrealtime,theComancheisacomplexflyingmachinewithahumanbeingatitsheart.Everyday,inunexpectedways,itextendsourpowersandputsustoworkwitharevolutionarytool.
TheComancheisthecentralelementoftheU.S.Army'sfutureObjectiveForce.Inadditiontoitscomplementofmissilesand20-mmcannon,theaircraftcarriesstate-of-the-artsensorsandavionicstoprovidebattlefieldcommanderswithsomuchaccurateinformationaboutenemymovements.Thisknowledgewilltranslateintomoreprecisetargeting,increasingtheeffectivenessoffriendlyforcesbeyondcurrentcapabilities.
TheU.S.Armyhasdefinedarequirementofmorethan1,200ComanchesfortheObjectiveForce.TheRAHComanche,thearmy's21st-centurycombathelicopterisbeingdevelopedbytheU.S.ArmyandateamofleadingaerospacecompaniesheadedbytheBoeingCompanyandSikorskyAircraftCorporation,aunitofUnitedTechnologiesCorporation.
TheSikorskyUH-60BlackHawkandAS350B2AStarEnforcetheLaw
Eventsswiftlyunfoldastheradarplanespotsan"unidentified"CessnadroppingbundlesofdrugsoffthecoastofMiamiatdawn.AsignalalertstheMarineandAirBranchofU.S.Customswhospeedouttointerceptthesmugglers.Justasthedrugsaretransferredfromboattovan,TheAStarhelicopterburstsoverthetreetops,deployingatacticalteamtoarrestthedriver.Whilethesmuggler'sCigaretteboatattemptstoescape,aBlackHawkhelicopterdipsdowntocreateagiantbackwash.Inastunningdisplayofimpeccableteamwork,thisactionforcesthefleeingboattoswervetoahaltasaCustomsboatcutsitoffandapprehendsthecriminals.
Onatypicalday,theU.S.CustomsServiceexamines1.3millionpassengers,2,642aircraft,50,889trucks/containers,355,004othervehicles,588vessels,64,923entriesandundertakesthefollowingenforcementactions:64arrests,107narcoticseizures,223otherseizures,9currencyseizures.Theseamountto5,059poundsofnarcotics,$443,907incurrency,$228,803inconveyances,$525,791inmerchandiseandmorethan$15,800inarmsandammunition.
FilmedoveraperiodoffivedaysoffthecoastofMiami,theair,land,andseadrugbustwasstagedbytheU.S.CustomsService,whichreliesheavilyonhelicoptersduringsuchoperations.
U.S.Customspilot,TomStanton,participatedintheshootwithhisco-pilotKimberlyKessel.KesselisoneofsevenwomenU.S.CustomspilotsandonlyoneoftwoqualifiedtoflyBlackHawks.Bothpilotsvolunteeredtoworkwiththefilmcrew.SaysKessel,agraduateofEmbry-RiddleAeronauticalUniversity,"Theywerephenomenal,readytotryanything."
Inadditiontodaytimeflights,Stantonfliestheriskiernightmissions."Flyingatnightisdangerousasyouloseallperceptionofwhat'supordownbecauseboththeskyandoceanareblack,sotheyjustkindofrunintogether.There'snohorizononthosedarknights,"saystheveteranpilot.
Typicallyhefliesfrom300to500feetabovethewaterat120to150knots."Notmanypeopleflythatlow,eveninthedaytime,"saysStanton."There'snoautopilot,soit'shandson.Plusyou'rechasingsomeone.Youhavetobeaware.Itcangettenseoutthere."
Stantondescribesanairchase:"Oncethere'satarget,welaunchajetwithradar.Thejetpilotcallsthehelicopteroutandwelinkup,flyinginformation.Wefollowthebadguywhereverhegoes.Ifhehasextended-rangefueltanks,weleapfrogandsendanotherhelicopterouttotakeupthechase.(TheBlackHawkcarriesfivehoursoffuel.)Whenhegetsintohislandingconfiguration,wecallthelocalpoliceorsherifftohelpusout."TheBlackHawk,whichcancarryupto14people,typicallycarries4or5armedpersonnel,"soweinstantlyhaveaforceofpoliceofficerstheretogetthebadguys."
"Ifit'saboat,wehaveCigaretteboatslikethesmugglers.We'llcallourboatandhaveitintercept."StantonfliestheBlackHawknexttotheboat,makingithardforthesmugglerstonavigate."Itintimidatesthemintogivingup.Sometimestheydo[but]sometimeswechasethemforhours.Orwe'llfollowthemintoamarinaandblockthemuntilourboatscome.Iftheyhitthebeach,we'llcallthestatepoliceorsheriff,andtheysetupaperimetersotheguycan'tgetout."
Stanton,whofliesmissionsasoftenasonceortwiceaweek,hasbeenflyingfor26years,13ofthoseasanarmyhelicopterpilotbeforehejoinedU.S.CustomsinMiamiwhereheisthe"standardizationinstructorpilot."Hemakessurethateverybodyfliesthesameway,sothatwhentheyteamup,thepilotseasilyworkintandem.Pilotsfly8-hourshiftsandtheoperationgoeson24hoursaday,7daysaweekinareascoveringboththeCanadianandMexicanlandborders,theAtlanticandPacificcoastlines,andtheGulfofMexico.
TheMD500EHelicopter
AMD500helicopterhoversdirectlyabove500,000-voltpowerlines.Asitinchescloser,alightningboltsuddenlyzapsoutfromthehotline,arcingtowardthewandextendedbyalinemanperchedonanaluminumplatformthatjutsoutfromthehelicopter.The"hot-line-qualified"linemanclampsontothepowerlines,andhelicopterbacksoff,leavinghimto"wirewalk,"crawlingalongparallellinestoinspectthePPLpowerlinegrid,100feetofftheground.Toreboardthehelicopter,thelinemanmust"bondoff,"reversingtheprocedure.
"Idon'tgivetwohootsandaholleraboutflyinginsideahelicopter.Putmeoutside,that'swhereIwanttobe,"saysDaniel"Spider"Lockhart,AgRotorslineman.There'sonlythreethingsI'vebeenafraidofmostofmylife:Onewaselectricity,onewasheightsandtheotherwaswomen.And,I'mmarriedtoo,"hegrins."Thesafestlinemanisonethatisafraidofelectricity.Whenwebondtothepowerlinesenergizedathalf-a-millionvolts,wehavetobringourselvestothesamepotential.Thatiswhyyouseethatarcjumpingouttoourwandaswemakeboththehelicopterandthepowerlineatthesamepotential,sothatwecaneliminatetheflowofcurrent,"explainstheveteranlineman.
Spiderwearsaprotectivehotsuit,75percentNomexforfireretardationand25percentstainlesssteelthread."ThemetalthreadbasicallymeansIhaveacagearoundmethatcanbeenergizedatveryhighvoltagelevels.Ahalf-millionvoltspassovermybody,butIcanworkwithoutinterferencefromtheelectricity."
Hecontinues,"Watchingthatelectricityjumpoutwhileyou'reenergizingthehelicopterisathrill.Gettingonthewire,walkingthewiretodorepairsisathrill.ThebiggestthrillIgetisfromdoingwhatIdoisbeingabletodobothtogether-theelectricalpartandthehelicopterpartofit,thespeedatwhichwecandoitandstillbesafe.Therearesomanythingsthatthehelicopterenablesustodoaslinemen,whichisveryrewarding."
TheteamworkoftheskilledhelicopterpilotsandhighlytrainedlinemenensurethatthePPLCorp.providesaconstantsourceofelectricitytoits1.3millioncustomersinPennsylvania(inadditionto4.4millioninLatinAmericaandEurope).Tomaintaintheintegrityofthetransmissionsystemtoresidentialandcommercialestablishments,andtoensurethesafetyoftheoperation,theteamplansandrehearseseverymovewhileonthegroundbeforetakeoff.Evenso,unanticipatedgustsofwindandglarefromthewirescanaffectthepilot'sdepthperception,requiringtotalconcentrationduringhishoursatthecontrols.Asthehelicopterisisolatedfromtheground,thepilotandlineman,cladinprotectivestainlesssteelsuits,mustbondontothetransmissionlinestobringthemselvestothesamevoltagepotentialofthelinetoworksafely-parallelingwhatabirddoeswhenitsitsonawire.
ProbablythemostunusualplacethatthedirectorriggedthecamerawasontheendoftheplatformontheMD500,whichisdesignedtocarrythelinemanashebondsontothehalf-million-voltpowerline."Wetookawaythelinemanandputthecamerainhisplace;thelinemanrodebehindthecameraandusedhiswandtodrawthearcofelectricityrightontothecameralens.Idon'tthinkit'sbeendonebefore.Itblewalltheelectronicsoutofthecameraacoupleoftimesbeforewefiguredouthowtodoit,"recallsDouglas.
TheBoeing234Helicopter:HeliloggingwithLimitedEnvironmentalDamage
FloatingabovetheforestinnorthernCalifornia,a12-tonBoeing234helicopterselectsitstargetwithprecision.Selectiveloggingisaprocesswhereonlyaportionoftheavailabletimberisremovedfromaloggingsite.Asingletreeisliftedstraightupfromtheforestfloor,leavingtherestoftheareaenvironmentallyintact.Removingsuchtimber-veryoftentreesthatarealreadydeadordiseased-allowstheremainingtreestothriveontheadditionalresourcesofsunlight,water,andsoilnutrients.Heliloggingisenvironmentallyfriendlyinotherwaysaswell.First,sincethelogsareliftedfromtheground,littlesoilerosion,typicalofconventionalloggingmethods,occurs.Second,inmanycasesthehelicopterisabletouseexistingroadsforlandings,meaningnonewroadsneedtobebuiltintotheareabeinglogged.
ColumbiaHelicopterscutsmorelogseachyearthananyotherhelicopterloggingcompany.Topreparethetimberforthehelicopter,thespeciallytrainedloggingcrewcutitintocarefullyweighedsections.Columbia'sflightcrewsareamongthemostexperiencedatlong-lineworkintheworld.Withspeedandprecision,theyareabletomoveheavyloadsoflogsattheendoflinesupto350-feetlong.OncethelineisloweredfromtheBoeing234helicopter,steeltongsclampthelogandtheentiretreeisremovedwithoutdisturbingthebalanceofnature."It'skindalikelookin'down25storiesandpickingupatelephonepole,"commentsthehelicopterpilot,DaveStroupe,whodepositsthetimberatanearbytransferyard."Theuniquethingaboutthishelicopteristhat,whenwetakeofffromtheground,weweighapproximately22,000pounds.Andwe'reriggedforabout26,000poundswhenwegetlowonfuel.Sotheloadactuallyweighsmorethanthehelicopter.It'sexcitingandharrowingallatthesametime."
TheBoeing234shavealiftcapacityof28,000lb,(12,727kg),butmostoftencarryloadsbetween23,000lb,(10,454kg)to24,000lb(10,909kg)duetoelevationandairtemperatureconsiderations.Thecompanytrainsloggerstoworkwithhelicoptersbecauseloadweightissuchadramaticpartofwhattheydo.Weightisdetermined,usingaformula,whichareafunctionofthevolumeandthetypeofwood.Differenttreespecieshavedifferentweightspervolume.
Whenoneofthepilotssuggestedusingthelogasaplatformforthecamera,Douglasrealizedanotherexcitingcameraangle.Thepossibilityexistedthatthebranchescouldscrapeoffthecameraasthelogwashauledup.Douglaspreventedthisbyplacingthecamerainsideaheavysteelavalanchebox,whichheanchoredontheendofabiglog.Oncethelogwasgrappled,thehelicopterhauledtheprotectedcamerarightthroughthebranches,givingtheaudienceabreathtakingviewfromtheperspectiveofthelog!TheU.S.MarineCorpsAV-8BHarrier,AH-1WCobra,CH-53ESuperStallionandCH-46ESeaKnightonaMilitaryMission
AnAV-8BHarrierjetdemonstratesitsverticallandingabilityfollowedbyaforcereconnaissanceinserviceexercisefromanaircraftcarrier,asMarinesclimbaboardtheCH-53E.AH-1WCobrasandHarriersformanassault-supportpackage,asthereconnaissanceteamsetsoutonamissiontoobtaininvaluableintelligenceabouttheenemy.
InsidetheCH-53E,themachine-gunnerisatthereadyasaCobrafiresthreerockets.TheactionheatsupastheIMAXcameracapturestheMarinesfast-ropingthroughthe"hellhole"andslidingdownaropedanglingfromtheCH-53E,landinginenemyterritory.Theleaderofthereconnaissanceteamsays,"Bythetimeyougettotouchropeinalivesituation,youandyourmenfeeltighterthanfamily.Yourfatesaretiedlikethestrandsofarope."
TwohourslatertheMarineshavecompletedtheirmissionandarereadytobeevacuated.Nowtheenemyhuntsthemontheground.TreesshakeastherescueCH-53Ehelicopterhoversoverhead,loweringaropetothesquad,nowuptotheirwaistsinwater.Oneaftertheother,inamatterofseconds,themenclipthemselvesontotherope."Extraction,evenmorethaninsertion,iswhenyouneedspeed.You'vebeenawfulquiet.Suddenly,you'reawfulloud,"saysSgt.JamesKenneke,thesquadleader.He'sfirstinandlastout.Liftedup,likewashingonaline,thesquaddanglesbeneaththehelicopterasitisescortedbyCobras,outovertheAtlantic.
"It'sarelieftogetout.Butthere'sthatmomentofdoubt.Everythingslowsdownwhileyou'reexposed�holdingyourbreathforthathappyending.Andwhenyougetit,youfeelontopoftheworld.Ofcourse,thenwe'vegottocommutehomejustlikeeverybodyelse,"smilesKennecke.
TheMi-26andMi-8DeliverHumanitarianAid
Sometimes,somethingverypreciousmustbedeliveredbehindenemylines-food.SierraLeoneisanationthathassufferedyearsofconflict.Fromthefooddepottothehotspot,helicoptersprovideanairbridge.Hoistingfoodandmedicalsuppliestodistressedpeoplebehindrebel-heldterritories,theyhavetheabilitytohopoverhotzonesindesperatesituations.
Theworld'slargestproductionhelicopter-theRussian-madeMi-26-istheworkhorsefortheUnitedNations(UN)peacekeepingoperationinwar-tornSierraLeone.Theheaviestproductionhelicopterintheworld,thismajesticeight-bladedcraft-oneoffourcharteredbytheUNfromRussia-cancarryamaximumof44,090lb(20,040kg)ofinternalpayloadorupto70troops.TheMi-26'stopspeedis183mph(295kph)andithasarangeof304miles(400km).
Inthissequence,theMi-26isloadedwithcargotosupplyUNtroopsprotectinganisolatedcommunityinthecenterofrebel-heldterritory.Theworld'slargestfoodagency,theUNWorldFoodProgram(WFP),organizedamassiveaircampaigntargetinginternallydisplacedpersonsthathadcongregatednearaclinicformalnourishedchildren.OncerebelsfromtheRevolutionaryUnitedFront(RUF)hadsurroundedtheareaandblockedroadaccess,theWFPwaspreventedfromcompletingabulkdistribution.Instead,theyloadeduptheirMi-8andflewtotheDaruclinicwherethemostvulnerablewomenandchildrenwerelocated.
"AllchildrenunderfivewhoaremalnourishedaregivenaspecialfeedingprograminDaru.Andtheunder-fivearealwaysthefirstonesyoutargetforanykindofextrememalnourishedcases,becausetheydieveryquickly,"saysAyaShneerson,programofficerfortheWFP."Daruisakindofanisland,asafeisland,surroundedbyareasthatareunsafe,"shesays,"andforthatreason,italwaysservedasasortofmagnetfortheveryvulnerablepeoplecomingout."
AnotherbigWFPoperation,FoodforPeace,givesfoodtochildex-combatants,inanefforttoattractthemtodisarmamentanddemobilizationcamps.
Theheavilyladencraftflewoutofthecapitalcity,Freetown,situatedonthewestcoastofAfricabetweenGuineaonthenorthandLiberiaonthesouth.TheWFPsupervisesavarietyoffeedingprogramsinthedisplacementcamps,feeding5,000inanoperationthattargetedBunbuna,KabalaandDaruin2000.
Throughouttheworld,helicoptershavesavedmillionsofhumanlives.Thereare777millionpeopleindevelopingcountries,accordingtotheWFP.In2001theWFPfed77millionhungrypeople(10percentofthehungrypoor)in82countries.
Diamonds,whichshouldhavebroughtprosperitytoSierraLeone,insteadresultedinoneofthemodernworld'smostbrutalinsurgencies,datingbackto1991whenrebelslaunchedawartooverthrowthegovernment.Intheensuingyears,continuousbattlesbetweenthevariousfactions-rebels,thearmyandthegovernment-displacedtensofthousandsofinnocentcivilians,resultinginhungerandfamine.In1998UNobserversdocumentedreportsofongoingatrocitiesandhumanrightsabuses.In1999negotiationsbeganbetweenthegovernmentandtherebels,andanagreementwassignedinLometoendhostilitiesandformagovernmentofnationalunity.By2000,theUN'sexpandedroleresultedinthedeploymentof17,500militarypeacekeepingpersonneltovariouspartsofthecountry.FreeelectionsinMay2002havegivenhopeandafreshstartedinSierraLeone.
TheAS350B2andAS350B3UsedforWildlifeRelocation
InSouthAfrica,helicoptersarehelpingtosavetheblackrhinofromextinction.Protectedinafewremotepreserves,theirnumbersarerising.However,shouldtherhinosfeelovercrowded,theywillfighttothedeath.Toprotectthespecies,somemustberelocatedtosafehabitats,butthisiseasiersaidthandone.
Aplatformdanglesfromahelicopteroverhead.Insideanotherhelicopter,flyinglowovertheSouthAfricanveldt,amanwitharifletakesaimatablackrhinoceros,dodgingthroughthebushesbelow.Thepilotconcentratesonflying5feetaboveand10to15feetbehindtherhino.Anticipatingitseverymove,awildlifeveterinarianpullsthetriggerofhisgunloadedwithatranquilizerdart,scoringadirecthitthatsuccessfullypenetratestherhino'sinch-thickskin.
"WhenIamdartinganimalsliketheblackrhino,thereisthisimmensetrustbetweenmyselfandPiet,thepilot,"sayswildlifeveterinarian,Dr.DouwGrobler,whospecializesinimmunizationsandtranslocations."Iknowexactlywhathe'sgoingtodoandwherehe'sgoingtoplaceme.Idon'thavetothink.Icanjustconcentrateontheanimals.Ijustknowhe'sgongtoputmethereintherightspotattherighttime.It'salmostthathesenseswhattheanimal'sgoingtodo.Inthatway,hecanchangetheanimal'smindwithhishelicopter."
Groblerhasmeasuredaspecificdrugdosage,whichcankeeparhinoasleepforuptotwohours.Oncetherhinoisdarted,thegroundcrewlandsassoonaspossibletoundertakeamultitudeoftasks.Theymonitorthebeast'svitalsigns,takeskinandbloodsamplestostudyitsbasichealthandtodetectanynutrientsthatarelacking.Thisensuresthatthehabitatishealthyforlong-termpropagation.Theyalsoconductpregnancytesting.Eachrhino'searisnotchedsothatitcanbeidentifiedeasilyfromtheairandground.Thetipofthesecondhornisremovedtoprovidematerialforgeneticresearch,andatransmitterisfittedintotherhino'shornfortrackingitswhereabouts.Poacherspresentaconstantdangertotherhinos'security.Shouldapoacherremovethehornforexport,thetransmitterwouldtriggeranalarm.
Whentwomalesinhabitthesameterritory,onemustberelocatedbeforetheybattletothedeath.Placingaslinginposition,thecrewrollstherhinoaboardtheplatform,makingsureitisfullyasleep.Withaliftingcapabilityof3,500lb(1,590kg),theAStarB3canrelocatethe2,250-lb(1022-kg)rhinotoanareaofthesanctuarythatisaccessibleonlybyhelicopter.
Theextensiveresearchonelevenblackrhinosacquiredduringthefour-dayshootwasmadepossibleonlythroughSKFilm'sfinancialcontribution."MyfieldofexpertiseliesinthecaptureandrelocationofAfricanwildlife.IamextremelygratefultoStraightUp!forsponsoringthisincrediblyimportantresearchandrelocationprogramatthegamepark.Withoutthefilm,thisresearchwouldnothavehappened,"saysGrobler,whoorganizedthecapture,researchandrelocationproject,withthefilm'sproductioncrew."Everyanimalisjustsovaluable,"hesays,"andanyinformationthatcanbecollectedonthemisworthitsweightingold."
Theprehistoricancestoroftoday'srhinosexistedmorethan50millionyearsago.Amongtoday'sfiverhinospecies,theblackrhino,whichhastwohorns,hassufferedthemostspectacularrateofdecline.Fromapopulationof65,000in1970ithadbeenhuntedalmosttoextinction,decliningtoapopulationof2,300by1992-93.CurrentstatisticsindicatethattheAfricanblackrhinopopulationhasrisento3,500asaresultoftheprotectionofnaturereserves,developedbyconservancygroups,agenciesandgovernmentstofacilitatebreedingandrelocationprograms.
ThissegmentofStraightUp!wasfilmedinonesuchreserveinSouthAfrica,whereblackrhinoshadbeenreintroducedin1986.Thehelicopter,anirreplaceableco
