Venture a guess? [UPDATE]

"Chariotoflove" (chariotoflove) 02/11/2020 at 10:57 • Filed to: We’re watching you

1

55

UPDATE: it was a police chopper. They were searching for a man and his two sons, 1 and 7, after he killed the mother in their nearby apartment. They found them hiding out a couple miles away. The man shot himself, but the kids are okay

This guy was hovering over my street for a good long while this morning. I got a side and underneath view with my phone. Anyone think they can ID the model?

TheRealBicycleBuck > Chariotoflove 02/10/2020 at 10:13

4

I’m not sure of the model, but the mast gives it away as a Robinson.

https://robinsonheli.com/

Chariotoflove > TheRealBicycleBuck 02/10/2020 at 10:15

1

Cool!  I never would have picked up in that. I knew Oppo would come through. 

Notchback88 > Chariotoflove 02/10/2020 at 10:17

5

Imma guess a Robinson R44, based on the fuselage length. They’re a relatively cheap bird, two bladed and single engined.

They’re used for any number of things, like tours, aerial photog, etc. If your local news is really cheap, then even Electronic News Gathering. (At least around here, the news channels use Bell 206s or some Eurocopter.) 

Chariotoflove > Notchback88 02/10/2020 at 10:22

0

I heard no sirens, and he was hovering for a good long time. Then he started sliding slowly. Then he returned a few minutes later. It made me wonder if he was training. That would fit with what you say.

I love my East Dallas neighborhood, but I doubt he was here for a tour of my street. Might have been taking pics of the downtown Dallas skyline from afar though. 

jimz > Chariotoflove 02/10/2020 at 10:23

2

powered by one of these, most likely:

Jim Spanfeller > Chariotoflove 02/10/2020 at 10:35

4

Ventura guess?

I think it’s... a helicopter. I’m sorry, I don’t know anything about helicopters.

user314 > Chariotoflove 02/10/2020 at 10:43

1

Hmm. I was going to suggest high-tension line inspection, but they mostly fly along the line ra th er than hover .

Based on the described motions, I would hazard a guess and say news chopper. Anything going on in the area this morning?

ttyymmnn > Chariotoflove 02/10/2020 at 10:59

2

The mast on the Robinson choppers is very tall to keep the main rotor from interfering with the tail rotor. They could have gone for a smaller disc with three or four blades, but the whole point was to make a cheaper chopper.

ttyymmnn > Jim Spanfeller 02/10/2020 at 11:00

2

Ventura Highway?

ttyymmnn > Chariotoflove 02/10/2020 at 11:01

0

Aerial survey? Got any open land ripe for development in your area? I’ve also heard that realtors are starting to take clients up in helicopters to show them around. 

facw > ttyymmnn 02/10/2020 at 11:18

1

Fancy! My parents’ realtor isn’t going that far though his photographer did get some nice drone pics from pretty high up.

For Sweden > Chariotoflove 02/10/2020 at 11:24

1

That’s a Robinson, with what I think is a camera & spotlight on the nose.

Does your local law enforcement operate helicopters?

For Sweden > jimz 02/10/2020 at 11:25

0

The good Robinsons have a Rolls Royce from the factory

Chariotoflove > jimz 02/10/2020 at 11:30

0

Neat. 

Chariotoflove > For Sweden 02/10/2020 at 11:31

1

Yes. And yes, I noted the spotlight. My first thought was a police copter. It could have been, but I didn’t hear or see other police presence with it. 

Chariotoflove > user314 02/10/2020 at 11:33

1

Not that I could tell. No sirens or other hullabaloo. Traffic isn’t likely to be it, although if there were a big accident at a nearby intersection, that could have been reporting on it. 

Chariotoflove > ttyymmnn 02/10/2020 at 11:34

1

And the world needs more affordable choppers. Of course, when we say cheap, it’s a relative statement. 

Chariotoflove > Jim Spanfeller 02/10/2020 at 11:35

1

And yet points for the morning pun. 

Chariotoflove > ttyymmnn 02/10/2020 at 11:37

1

We are in an old part of town. Not much room for development. However, we have been replacing bridges in the area. It could have been part of that I suppose. 

jimz > For Sweden 02/10/2020 at 11:40

0

formerly an Allison engine.

For Sweden > jimz 02/10/2020 at 11:40

0

Yes, and now it is a good engine

user314 > Chariotoflove 02/10/2020 at 11:41

0

Movie/TV/Netflix  filming maybe? 

ttyymmnn > Chariotoflove 02/10/2020 at 11:46

1

There is a place just up the highway from us called Austin’s Park (and Pizza), one of those go-kart, mini-golf, tiny amusement park, bowling, arcade, restaurant deals. A couple of years ago, they cut down a bunch of trees on their property so they could start selling helicopter rides. They had a Robinson (or contracted somebody) and all day long they’d be taking off and flying over the neighborhood. Mostly north of me, but it got pretty tiresome. I think people complained and they were restricted to flying along I-35, then they stopped it entirely. Fine with me. 

Notchback88 > For Sweden 02/10/2020 at 12:03

0

It’s probably the landing light. Can’t imagine the camera is in the same housing as the landing/search light, that’s starting to put a fair bit of weight out front, affecting the CG.

I don’t think police would be using a searchlight during the day, but who knows.

I’d look up your local sheriff and see if they own a bird. State Patrol/Troopers will probably be using a more capable (and expensive) aircraft, like an OH-6/MD-500 or Bell 206.

For Sweden > Notchback88 02/10/2020 at 12:27

0

I doubt they remove the searchlight for daytime operations.

Chariotoflove > user314 02/10/2020 at 12:28

0

Then I hope I don’t make a cameo in my pjs. 

Notchback88 > For Sweden 02/10/2020 at 12:38

1

Remove, no. But use? I don’t see why they would.

But, it is required (can’t find the FAR citation as of now) that aircraft “for hire” use the landing light in-flight. So, tours, instruction, and other business requirements would fall under that.

Military flights aren’t “for hire” in the technical sense, so we don’t have to use it by law. I would assume it’s the same for the po- po.

Chariotoflove > ttyymmnn 02/10/2020 at 13:37

2

Cool idea kn theory though. Everybody wants a ride on a helicopter, but almost no one gets one except in emergencies when it’s no fun.

My one helicopter ride was to be rushed to the trauma center.  I was unconscious and wouldn’t have enjoyed it if I wasn’t.

ttyymmnn > Chariotoflove 02/10/2020 at 13:55

2

I have never ridden in a helicopter. Despite my fascination with all-things-flying, I’m not sure I want to. I am a very risk averse person. 

ST80MND > Chariotoflove 02/11/2020 at 09:42

1

That there is a Robinson 22. Small, 2 seater, with if I remember correctly 145hp motor. This is the same model that I took my first 3 lessons in. 

Chariotoflove > ST80MND 02/11/2020 at 10:53

0

Cool!  I now know what it was doing there, too. 

jimz > Chariotoflove 02/11/2020 at 11:02

2

The man shot himself, but the kids ar e okay

well, about as “okay” as possible after that.

Chariotoflove > jimz 02/11/2020 at 11:04

0

Well they’re alive. The 7 yr old will be messed up. He had already ratted in the dad for choking and hitting mommy before. 

Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom > ttyymmnn 02/11/2020 at 11:04

1

Wow. No liability there..

/s

Notchback88 > Chariotoflove 02/11/2020 at 11:08

1

Well slap me and call me wrong. I really didn’t think it was a police chopper.

Vote for their next bond issue, they need a better bird.

Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom > Notchback88 02/11/2020 at 11:09

0

T he landing lights on Robinsons are built into the nose, whereas the FLIR ball is mounted on a turret. Spotlight is mounted separately. Some assembly required.

Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom > For Sweden 02/11/2020 at 11:10

0

It wasn’t a good engine before?

facw > Chariotoflove 02/11/2020 at 11:11

1

Hmm, if you say so. I’ll just say if you see a black one like that, watch out:

https://www.helibacon.com/

Chariotoflove > Notchback88 02/11/2020 at 11:11

2

Yeah, but if the City Council has to make a choice, I’m okay with them saving money here and putting it to emergency responder salaries.

As long as the county hospital springs for some nicely outfitted Bells. 

Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom > ST80MND 02/11/2020 at 11:12

0

Nyet. The fuse is too long; it’s an R44. 

Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom > TheRealBicycleBuck 02/11/2020 at 11:14

2

Yup. Probably an R44 as they’re very popular with police departments due to lower price and operating costs. However it could be an R66, which is essentially a turbine-powered R44. Mo power, mo money. 

Chariotoflove > facw 02/11/2020 at 11:17

1

Everyone in that video was white. Think of  the absolutely messed up offensive vid you could make if you spliced in Mexican immigrants running just after the slow mo automatic rifle shooting sequences. 

Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom > ttyymmnn 02/11/2020 at 11:19

2

After I got my (fixed wing) pilot license the first few flights in a helicopter were a little anxiety-inducing . I attribute it to the fact that you can’t really see the thing supporting you in the air. I just got used to seeing the wings in my peripheral vision in the plane , and the first few flight in an eggbeater were a little uncomfortable. I’ve since gotten over it; just wish I had the dough to get a rotary-wing add-on to my commercial license. 

phenotyp > Chariotoflove 02/11/2020 at 11:35

2

Jesus Christ. Those poor kids.

ttyymmnn > Chariotoflove 02/11/2020 at 11:43

1

but the kids are okay

Physically, yes. I can’t even imagine how traumatic this would be, though. APD choppers are much bigger. I wonder if that little Robinson still has room for all the FLIR and spotlights and everything.

For Sweden > Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom 02/11/2020 at 11:50

0

Obviously, it wasn't a Rolls Royce

atfsgeoff > phenotyp 02/11/2020 at 11:55

1

Yeah, hopefully they have some close relatives who aren’t wastes of oxygen, to take care of them.

TheRealBicycleBuck > Chariotoflove 02/11/2020 at 12:23

1

My uncle is a police officer and he arranged a ride-along for me with the Houston PD air patrol. They do four-hour shifts, so once you hop on- board, you’re stuck for the next four hours. The pilots love showing off, so we did all the Hollywood stunts - flying sideways, steep turns, etc. It was a blast!

Chariotoflove > phenotyp 02/11/2020 at 12:27

0

No kidding. 

Chariotoflove > ttyymmnn 02/11/2020 at 12:30

1

Well I saw one big spotlight on the nose. Other than that, I have to assume.  

Chariotoflove > TheRealBicycleBuck 02/11/2020 at 12:32

1

Neat! I’d love one of those without the accompanying emergency.

user314 > Notchback88 02/11/2020 at 12:38

0

Considering that it’s Texas, I’m kinda surprised this isn’t the standard for police choppers:

/lol,jk.

/orami

ST80MND > Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom 02/11/2020 at 13:18

0

How right you are sir! I may need glasses, or a better pic!

Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom > ST80MND 02/11/2020 at 14:55

0

It makes more sense if you see an R22 next to an R44. Totally different profile. 

ST80MND > Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom 02/12/2020 at 10:27

0

Yes, 2 door vs. 4 door. Or, if you get nice weather, no door.