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Msg ID: 2802575 Windy Weather USA +0/-4     
Author:Looking at HEMS
1/9/2024 10:45:40 PM

What are the acceptable limits for wind and wind sheer during helicopter air ambulance flights in America. Is there a gust limit or spread noted or does it depend on how much the crew of the day can handle?



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Msg ID: 2802579 Windy Weather USA +0/-1     
Author:Retired
1/10/2024 5:23:57 AM

Reply to: 2802575

medical crews have trouble with all weather, I you asked them for a weather check just cancel the flight .

 

 

 



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Msg ID: 2802634 Windy Weather USA +0/-1     
Author:Roy
1/10/2024 9:36:03 PM

Reply to: 2802579

How do you know all of them do?



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Msg ID: 2802582 Windy Weather USA +2/-1     
Author:First Responder
1/10/2024 7:38:02 AM

Reply to: 2802575

40mph and or 15mph gust spread for starts.  I saw an A-Star at ABI chop off the tailboom while cranking the engine with 15mph gusts. 



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Msg ID: 2802595 Windy Weather USA +0/-0     
Author:oldNtired
1/10/2024 11:25:14 AM

Reply to: 2802582

if that was the gust spread what was the velocity.  If 15 knots was the velocity I would have to call you on that one !!!



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Msg ID: 2802606 Windy Weather USA +1/-1     
Author:First Responder
1/10/2024 1:02:58 PM

Reply to: 2802595

ATIS was reporting 30 gusting to 45, but I'm pretty sure the gusts were closer to 20+ 



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Msg ID: 2805477 Windy Weather USA +0/-0     
Author:AkGuy
2/16/2024 4:00:25 PM

Reply to: 2802582

Non-sense!



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Msg ID: 2802596 Windy Weather USA +7/-1     
Author:Heli pilot
1/10/2024 11:55:48 AM

Reply to: 2802575

RFM boys & girls!



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Msg ID: 2802611 Windy Weather USA +2/-2     
Author:Big Windy
1/10/2024 1:39:43 PM

Reply to: 2802575

Wind shear at altitude doesn't effect a helicopter! Just another excuse to turn down a flight.



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Msg ID: 2802620 Windy Weather USA +0/-3     
Author:Retired
1/10/2024 3:18:54 PM

Reply to: 2802611

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vQLNS3HWfCM

Limits depend on your location. The windy city has different limits than Kansas.



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Msg ID: 2802633 Windy Weather USA +1/-1     
Author:Cut
1/10/2024 9:35:55 PM

Reply to: 2802575

your offshore ones by @40% and you'll probably get few complaints.



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Msg ID: 2802638 Windy Weather USA +1/-0     
Author:my 2 dimes and one penny
1/10/2024 10:16:15 PM

Reply to: 2802575

Simple answer is RFM

More complete answer is RFM, along with GOM and OPS SPECS for the operator, and experince/personal limits...  

 

Just my thoughts...  



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Msg ID: 2802667 Windy Weather USA +1/-2     
Author:olderendirt
1/11/2024 3:37:17 PM

Reply to: 2802575

What are the acceptable limits for wind and wind sheer during helicopter air ambulance flights in America. Is there a gust limit or spread noted or does it depend on how much the crew of the day can handle?


For some reason, 40 kts and 15 gusts stick in memory. A lot depends on where you're going- I recall trying to land on a level one rooftop pad with clear overhangs on 2 sides and solid structure on the other two. The wind was 30 knots but from the sides with stuctures above the pad. It was too turbulent on the pad to land, so I went across the street to a surface pad where ground transport met us.

16 years offshore, lots of operations in higher winds, that was a surprise.



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Msg ID: 2802886 Windy Weather USA +0/-0     
Author:Used
1/13/2024 7:50:53 PM

Reply to: 2802667

to start 212 offshore up to 55knots with ground crews holding blade to 40% then releasing.  Wind was usually ur friend unless in unfavorable quarters.  Wail away there all experts!



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Msg ID: 2802888 Windy Weather USA +0/-1     
Author:forget about 55 knots gramps
1/13/2024 7:52:41 PM

Reply to: 2802886

no possible way jose



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Msg ID: 2803309 Windy Weather USA +0/-0     
Author:Wrong
1/18/2024 7:29:22 PM

Reply to: 2802888

Just wrong.



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Msg ID: 2805478 Windy Weather USA +0/-0     
Author:btdt over and over
2/16/2024 4:04:14 PM

Reply to: 2802888

You're very wrong sonny boy.



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Msg ID: 2802671 Windy Weather USA +13/-2     
Author:Two types of HEMS pilots
1/11/2024 5:09:10 PM

Reply to: 2802575

-pilots trying to fly

-pilots trying to find a reason not to fly

It really is just that simple.



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Msg ID: 2802672 Windy Weather USA +0/-2     
Author:ems pilot
1/11/2024 5:19:30 PM

Reply to: 2802671

in the morning, trying to fly. in the afternoon, trying not to fly. at night, trying not to fly. 



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Msg ID: 2802887 Windy Weather USA +1/-0     
Author:Just
1/13/2024 7:51:41 PM

Reply to: 2802671

as simple as u.



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Msg ID: 2803122 Windy Weather USA +0/-0     
Author:Bwkimmell
1/16/2024 4:22:33 PM

Reply to: 2802887

My two cents...First off, check your RFM and GOM.  AS365 limits...you can start with winds up to 55kts within 20 degrees off the nose.  Our EC155 limits are winds up to 35 kts.

Secondly, check your personal limits. If you attempt to land at an elevated pad and the wind gusts along with the orographic turbulence is too much to complete a safe landing, find somewhere else to land or abort the flight. Much rather have an aborted flight, than a damaged aircraft or hurt crewmember.



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Msg ID: 2803125 Windy Weather USA +0/-0     
Author:yeah
1/16/2024 4:59:16 PM

Reply to: 2803122

just in case you didn't know, it's better to not crash then to crash. and watch out for that mountain turbulance when landing at a hospital.



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Msg ID: 2803310 Windy Weather USA +0/-0     
Author:Simpleton
1/18/2024 7:30:53 PM

Reply to: 2802671

Takes one etc.



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Msg ID: 2803566 Windy Weather USA +0/-0     
Author:Nope
1/21/2024 11:43:09 AM

Reply to: 2802575

Not anymore



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