關(guān)于直升機(jī),一些不和諧的聲音常常出現(xiàn)在耳畔:“我不是特別喜歡直升機(jī),因?yàn)樗蝗绻潭ㄒ盹w機(jī)好駕駛;而且它飛起來振動劇烈,噪音也大;不僅使用成本高,速度也較低,完全不能給我?guī)盹w行的快感······”
持這種觀點(diǎn)的人有一個最大問題,就是他們試圖用固定翼飛機(jī)的價值標(biāo)準(zhǔn)去評判直升機(jī)。最終的結(jié)果是,他們理所當(dāng)然地忽略了直升機(jī)的諸多優(yōu)勢。例如速度慢,假如直升機(jī)是用來空中觀光或者航拍,這一點(diǎn)無疑就是優(yōu)勢。特別是直升機(jī)可以慢到在空中的速度為零,這種優(yōu)勢可以說達(dá)到了極限。
說直升機(jī)沒有飛行快感,但快感不一定來自速度,直升機(jī)隨時可以做上下左右前后的飛行移動,帶給人的失重感、漂移感更接近大自然靈活的鳥類。
如果是城市內(nèi)的飛行、為避開擁堵的街道,固定翼飛機(jī)將徹底被排除出局。而直升機(jī)則搶占了市內(nèi)交通的最高點(diǎn)。說到去郊區(qū)打高爾夫、野餐,去學(xué)校接孩子,做200公里以內(nèi)的短途旅行,直升機(jī)想停就停、想飛就飛,遠(yuǎn)比固定翼飛機(jī)方便得多。
所以,你真的懂了直升機(jī)的玩法嗎?倘若尚有疑問,可在本專輯尋找剩下的答案。
成為坐直升機(jī)上班的都市大亨
在美國地產(chǎn)大亨唐納德·特朗普主持的真人秀《飛黃騰達(dá)》片頭中,他乘坐自己的私人直升機(jī)空降在紐約曼哈頓高層寫字樓上,在螺旋槳的氣流中從容走出,直接步入節(jié)目錄制現(xiàn)場。這種范兒,把直升機(jī)大亨們的風(fēng)度、神韻描繪得淋漓盡致。
這就是坐著直升機(jī)上班的人特有的氣質(zhì),任你堵得山哭海嘯,他依然閑庭信步、落落大方。而在紐約,擁有私人直升機(jī)的大亨小亨一共超過2000名,各種高層建筑屋頂上都設(shè)計了停機(jī)坪。像唐納德·特朗普一樣,許多富賈、政要和明星經(jīng)常乘坐直升機(jī)降落在城市里。如此一來,他們可以避開公開行蹤和公共場合不必要的交談,有利地保護(hù)了個人隱私。例如湯姆·克魯斯和凱蒂·霍爾姆斯離婚的消息喧囂塵上的那段時間,阿湯出行就經(jīng)常乘坐私人直升機(jī)。
世界上許多大都會行駛飛機(jī)的權(quán)利和駕駛汽車是一樣的,而且以紐約為例,你可以在任何時間飛去城里的每個地方,完全不需要政府部門批準(zhǔn);而且有權(quán)使用任何民用機(jī)場,并以先到者先得為原則搶占停機(jī)位。政府的職能僅僅是提供一些飛行調(diào)度和導(dǎo)航。
以上信息告訴我們,直升機(jī)未來很可能會占領(lǐng)大城市的天空。特別是像北京、上海這類巨大而擁堵的大都會。其實(shí)在北京的盤古七星酒店、CCTV大樓、鵬潤大廈、北京電視臺大樓、國貿(mào)三期等高層建筑上都有停機(jī)坪,但因?yàn)楸本┠壳斑€不允許私人直升機(jī)在四環(huán)以內(nèi)飛行,它們暫時還派不上用場。不過隨著空域越來越開放,在深圳、廣州、上海甚至北京,大亨們坐著直升機(jī)從容降落在摩天大廈的場景應(yīng)該不會太遙遠(yuǎn)。
駕駛直升機(jī)去上班
Susan Larson,美國99S國際女飛行員組織前任主席、直升機(jī)駕駛員
我經(jīng)常駕駛直升機(jī)往返于我公司的廠區(qū)所在地太陽河谷(Sun River)和我在加州圣何塞(San Jose)的家,這兩地公路距離大約700多公里。幸虧有直升機(jī),因?yàn)槲也幌肴淌荞{車的長途勞累,又不想每天在太陽河谷(Sun River)居住。我是1977年參加俄勒岡州太陽谷的一次商務(wù)會議時第一次發(fā)現(xiàn)使用直升機(jī)的便利的。駕駛汽車在迂回的公路上行駛了一天,到達(dá)目的地后,我發(fā)現(xiàn)那邊的停機(jī)坪上有一架剛剛停穩(wěn)的直升機(jī),從飛機(jī)上走下來兩個精神抖擻的人。而此刻的我已經(jīng)被駕駛汽車弄得精疲力竭了。那一刻我下定決心,一定得學(xué)習(xí)駕駛直升機(jī)。而最終的結(jié)果是,我發(fā)現(xiàn)直升機(jī)完全可以成為一種常規(guī)交通工具。
機(jī)型推薦
安全之選——AW139:阿古斯塔·維斯特蘭公司生產(chǎn)的中型雙發(fā)直升機(jī),有最先進(jìn)的航電系統(tǒng)、最穩(wěn)定的飛行控制系統(tǒng),能提供高品質(zhì)的飛行體驗(yàn)和可靠的安全保證。對于需要商務(wù)私人直升機(jī)的人,它絕對是穩(wěn)健的選擇。
豪華之選——EC145梅賽德斯-奔馳設(shè)計版:這款直升機(jī)與梅賽德斯-奔馳高級設(shè)計工作室合作,內(nèi)部設(shè)計的靈感源于梅賽德斯-奔馳系列頂級轎車,采用優(yōu)質(zhì)物料、優(yōu)雅的木質(zhì)結(jié)構(gòu)和舒適的艙內(nèi)照明,具備多功能的存儲空間,是一款典型的大老板豪華之選。
開著直升機(jī)去旅行
Akon在檢查直升機(jī),他的妻子Marina在準(zhǔn)備行李。他們馬上要啟程前往圣卡塔利娜島,慶祝他們結(jié)婚10周年。這樣不長不短的旅行有點(diǎn)尷尬,長途旅行可以乘坐民航,市內(nèi)交通可以開車,但Akon和Marina到達(dá)這次出行的目的地需要數(shù)個小時車程,而且還需乘船。好在他們是Sierra Sky Park飛行社區(qū)的居民,他們有直升機(jī)。
在這個社區(qū)里,中短途旅行、打高爾夫球、戶外燒烤、郊游,這些娛樂生活都觸手可及。他們的生活社區(qū)半徑被擴(kuò)展到了100公里。在此范圍內(nèi)的行程,就像在社區(qū)內(nèi)行走一樣方便。這一點(diǎn),作為城際交通工具的固定翼飛機(jī)無論如何也做不到。特別是在道路崎嶇、多山的地區(qū),直升機(jī)能以直線距離幫你省很多不必要的車程。
通常這些社區(qū)飛友的直升機(jī)都是經(jīng)濟(jì)適用型的,絕大多數(shù)飛機(jī)直接就是出廠標(biāo)準(zhǔn)配置,油耗和維護(hù)成本相對比較低。
情感的黏合劑
Martha Philips,美國99S國際女飛行員組織現(xiàn)任主席
我經(jīng)常和丈夫駕駛我們的直升機(jī)出去旅行。我們會從美國的西部飛到東海岸,或者從北部飛到南部。起飛前,我們加滿航油,帶足食品和水,就一直飛,直到飛到航油快枯竭才著陸。不設(shè)目的地,就朝著一個方向飛,期待、幻想著下一個著陸點(diǎn)是哪里。飛行過程中,我和丈夫會輪流駕駛直升機(jī)。飛行中,我們不會感到枯燥,因?yàn)槲覀兒芟硎芨╊绹|闊疆域的感覺。更重要的是,飛行改變了我原本以為不會再有變化的生活模式,也讓我擴(kuò)大了生活的空間以及人脈圈子。我們會經(jīng)常和愛好飛行的朋友一起駕駛直升機(jī)去郊游,直升機(jī)不需要機(jī)場,一切都簡單隨意。
機(jī)型推薦
最佳之選——EC120:一種面向21世紀(jì)的多用途輕型直升機(jī)。它采用帶有3片高性能復(fù)合材料槳葉的主旋翼以及新式低噪聲涵道尾槳,安裝有性能可靠的大功率發(fā)動機(jī)以及先進(jìn)的電子設(shè)備,客艙5座布置,非常適合家庭用來出行。
最受歡迎之選——Bell206BIII:有超過6000架該型號的直升機(jī)此刻正停留在世界的各個角落。其中許多架的單機(jī)飛行小時數(shù)超過了3萬小時??团?座布置,運(yùn)營和維修保養(yǎng)的成本比同級飛機(jī)低,而轉(zhuǎn)賣的價值卻比其他輕型直升機(jī)更高,是世界上最受歡迎的家庭用直升機(jī)之一。
尋找最真實(shí)的飛行感
你相信嗎?直升機(jī)是常規(guī)飛行器中最能體現(xiàn)飛翔快感的一種。
相比固定翼飛機(jī)變化飛行方位時的滯后性,直升機(jī)能夠讓人瞬間體驗(yàn)全方位空間——上下左右前后飛行的感覺。手的感覺、力度和動作方向稍有變動,直升機(jī)的姿態(tài)就會隨之變化。直升機(jī)這種敏感的“人機(jī)聯(lián)動”特點(diǎn),正是很多飛行愛好者著迷的飛翔體驗(yàn)。事實(shí)上,駕駛直升機(jī)的難度比固定翼飛機(jī)大得多,在空中的失重感、轉(zhuǎn)向感也比駕駛固定翼飛機(jī)更刺激。所以很多人將它視作一件空中的玩具。
一些膽大的玩家為了體驗(yàn)身體在風(fēng)中飛的感覺,甚至把兩邊的機(jī)門拿掉,整個人盡可能多地和外界接觸。而小型直升機(jī)體積和重量都很小,對風(fēng)的反應(yīng)很大,所以坐在飛機(jī)上能充分感受風(fēng)的存在,體驗(yàn)“飛”的樂趣。用來飛行娛樂的直升機(jī),一定要有很強(qiáng)的駕駛感。它的速度不需要太快,但是發(fā)動機(jī)的性能要穩(wěn)定,渦輪軸發(fā)動機(jī)比活塞式發(fā)動機(jī)更適合。活塞發(fā)動機(jī)振動大,控制復(fù)雜,而渦輪軸則輕盈、便利。
垂直的征服感
張俊巖,私人飛機(jī)玩家,在2011年和2012年,駕駛他的Bell407斷斷續(xù)續(xù)環(huán)飛了整個美國
玩直升機(jī)是我對兒時飛行信念的一種堅持。駕駛飛機(jī)伴隨著某種不可控的風(fēng)險,我駕駛直升機(jī)曾遇過幾次險情,甚至曾迫降過一次,因?yàn)榕R危不亂的心理素質(zhì),再加上還算不錯的駕駛技巧,都化險為夷。正是這種風(fēng)險所帶來的不確定感和征服感讓我欲罷不能。我享受那種身心不再受約束和管制的自由,藍(lán)天白云好不愜意,從空中可以一路俯瞰,一切都渺小如沙礫般地在我腳下,帶給我一種垂直的征服感。飛累了,就找個臨時??奎c(diǎn),下了直升機(jī),徜徉在無人踏足的“世外”,抑或徒步于人聲喧囂的鬧市,走走看看,用相機(jī)記錄下當(dāng)?shù)氐娘L(fēng)光景色和鄉(xiāng)土人情。
機(jī)型推薦
新銳之選——施瓦澤300CBI系列:出自直升機(jī)制造名門西科斯基公司,采用降低成本的防撞設(shè)計,安全性非凡。它具有大功率備用馬力、操縱靈活準(zhǔn)確的特點(diǎn),且維修簡單、價格實(shí)惠,外形也給人靈敏的感覺,絕對是一款私人娛樂飛行的理想佳選。
資深之選——R22:美國羅賓遜直升機(jī)公司的雙座單發(fā)輕型多功能直升機(jī),是目前全球使用最普遍的機(jī)型。它保持了在相同重量等級內(nèi)速度、高度和距離的每一項性能紀(jì)錄,具有輕巧的機(jī)身,靈活的操控,很適合創(chuàng)造飛行體驗(yàn)。
懸浮在天空的眼睛
當(dāng)游客們前往美國科羅拉多大峽谷時,如果只是站在峽谷峭壁的邊緣,會感覺自己到了世界的盡頭。如果乘坐一架直升機(jī),下降至1000米左右以下的大峽谷深處,你會發(fā)現(xiàn)自己已經(jīng)穿越了世界盡頭,來到了新的星球。這就是新視角的魅力。
同樣的體驗(yàn)還發(fā)生在肯尼亞,在直升機(jī)上看成千上萬只角馬大遷徙,看鱷魚在河流中伏擊、撕咬成群過河的動物……只有懸浮在空中的這個視角能令你看到大自然最震撼的一面。
許多人總是說直升機(jī)速度不快,可世界上有多少飛機(jī)能夠讓自己的速度慢到零呢?除了垂直起降的噴氣式戰(zhàn)斗機(jī),能做到這一點(diǎn)的只有直升機(jī)了。如今在珠穆朗瑪峰、新西蘭冰川、紐約上空、印度列城、非洲草原、冰島藍(lán)湖等地,直升機(jī)已然成為一項重要的觀景、航拍平臺。玩轉(zhuǎn)直升機(jī)不僅僅是飛,還在于看和拍。
對于觀景、航拍的直升機(jī),單發(fā)渦軸的直升機(jī)可作為首先考慮的對象,而且以前風(fēng)擋玻璃和側(cè)面玻璃大為宜,以便給乘客足夠?qū)掗煹囊曇啊_@類直升機(jī)的升高高度高、用途廣且營運(yùn)成本低。如果你愛好攝影(像),還可以將直升機(jī)改造一下,裝上一些攝影(像)的輔助設(shè)備。但改造完之后,別忘了到有關(guān)部門確認(rèn)是否需要重新申請一個適航補(bǔ)充認(rèn)證。
直升機(jī)給了我另一只眼
杰森·霍克斯(Jason Hawkes),英國著名航空攝影師
乘坐直升機(jī)在一座城市的上空穿梭,你會發(fā)現(xiàn)它不再是你每天工作、生活的那個地方。它時而迷離,時而陌生,時而又能引發(fā)你內(nèi)心的悸動。當(dāng)?shù)蹏髲B沐浴在晨曦時,它比平地上看起來更加挺拔偉岸;當(dāng)世貿(mào)大樓吻別了曼哈頓的最后一線夕陽,它不再像平日那樣喧囂。天空,是一個人類憑借身體的力量無法達(dá)到的視角。而直升機(jī)卻是彌補(bǔ)這一缺憾最好的工具。
機(jī)型推薦
安全之選——MD600N:輕型單發(fā)渦輪軸直升機(jī)。機(jī)身設(shè)計結(jié)構(gòu)干凈利落并結(jié)合了空氣動力線條的特點(diǎn),使機(jī)身凹入駕駛艙和客艙的可能性大大降低,提高了機(jī)組的安全性,號稱世界上最安全、最安靜的直升機(jī)之一,適合在任何寒冷、炎熱、陡峭的極端環(huán)境、特殊環(huán)境的探險和航拍。
性能之選——AS350 B3:一款單發(fā)高性能直升機(jī),其強(qiáng)勁的動力、靈活的用途、低采購成本和維護(hù)費(fèi)用,全面領(lǐng)先所有其他6座直升機(jī)。AS350 B3標(biāo)準(zhǔn)型還創(chuàng)造了一項歷史紀(jì)錄——成功在珠穆朗瑪峰上進(jìn)行了起降,所以它也是一款適合探險的座駕。
TIPS:直升機(jī)觀光地TOP5
TOP1 新西蘭羅托魯瓦:在這里,直升機(jī)載著你飛越塔拉威拉山,羅托魯瓦神奇的自然火山景色會毫無保留地展現(xiàn)在你眼下。你還可以在羅托魯瓦最熱的地?zé)峁珗@ “地獄之門”降落,或者在新西蘭最活躍的火山白島降落,感受火山心臟的跳動。
TOP2 巴西伊瓜蘇瀑布:比尼加拉瀑布還要好看,水量充沛地像個水龍頭。直升機(jī)可以讓你暫時停滯在令人眼花的瀑布中心“魔鬼之喉”上空。該瀑布早些年被聯(lián)合國教科文組織列為世界自然遺產(chǎn),直升機(jī)觀光的出現(xiàn)也引起了一些爭議。
TOP3 夏威夷群島:直升機(jī)可以載你去毛伊島、考艾島和大島,飛越活火山、熔巖地和雨林瀑布。此外,高爾夫愛好者可以乘坐直升機(jī)在這里尋覓到鐘愛的球場,海灘行走愛好者也可以乘著直升機(jī)獵奇自己的勝地。
TOP4 贊比亞維多利亞瀑布:直升機(jī)載你去看這個俗稱“雷之霧”的瀑布。你可以近距離觀察贊比西河勇敢躍入巴托卡峽的景象。當(dāng)你在贊比西國家公園的上空向下俯瞰時,大象、河馬、犀牛、長頸鹿比比皆是。
TOP5 美國阿拉斯加州朱諾:朱諾的冰川雖然在短期內(nèi)還不會消失,但日漸融化卻是不爭的事實(shí)。直升機(jī)可以載你在四個截然不同的浮冰上空盤旋,近距離識別不同種類的冰川,勇敢的話,甚至可以親身去冰川上體驗(yàn)一把行走的感覺(公司提供特制的冰川行走靴)。
Some people don’t like helicopters, saying they are noisy, slow, costly, hard to pilot, and could not give them the thrill of flying.
The question is, we cannot judge helicopters by the standards of fixed wing aircraft. Because from another perspective, these weaknesses are actually strengths. Helicopters are slow, but that makes them perfect for aerial photography, especially as they can hover. Helicopters are convenient for short trips within 200 miles such as flying over traffic jam, going to golf, or picking up your child. And they give you a thrilling experience not with its speed, but with its flexible movement in all dimensions.
Want to know how to better enjoy helicopters, read on to find out.
At the beginning of Apprentice, American estate magnate Donald Trump steps out of a private helicopter on a Manhattan office building and walks straight to the show. That is how business tycoons enjoy the convenience of helicopters.
In New York where most of the tall buildings have a rooftop ramp, there are more than 2,000 big or small business tycoons who own a helicopter. Businessmen, statesmen, and celebrities often take helicopters in and out of the city for privacy and less public appearance. Tom Cruise for example choose to take his private helicopters when the news of his divorce with Katie Holmes was widely reported.
In most metropolitan cities around the world, you can fly anywhere anytime without applying for permission from the government. It is as casual as driving. You also have the right to use any civil airport on a “first come, first serve” basis. The government only offers navigation and air traffic control.
So it won’t be long before helicopters take over the airspace of congested metropolitan cities like Beijing and Shanghai. In fact, many top buildings in Beijing, including Pangu Plaza, CCTV, Eagle Run Plaza, BTV and WTC are equipped with rooftop ramps, although they are not used due to airspace restriction in the capital city. But the days of business tycoons flying to the big cities are not so far away.
Fly Helicopter to work
Susan Larson, former chairman of U.S. 99S International Organization of Women Pilots, Helicopter pilot
I often fly helicopter between my home in San Jose and my office at Sun River. Helicopter offers a perfect solution to my unwillingness to neither live in Sun River nor drive 700 km between the two cities. I first saw the convenience of helicopter in 1977 when I attended a business meeting in Sun River, Oregon. When I arrived exhausted after a long drive, I saw two men walked down a just landed helicopter looking refreshed and energetic. It is then that I decided to learn helicopter piloting. And now, I find helicopter a very useful commute vehicle.
Travel on a helicopter
Akon is checking on the helicopter while his wife Marina is packing luggage. They are about to take off for Santa Catalina in celebration for their 10th anniversary. It usually takes several hours by drive and ferry to get to there. But thanks to helicopter, they can save a lot of time on the journey.
They live in Sierra Sky Park, a flying community, where residents go to golf, outdoor barbecue or outing on helicopters. With helicopters, a trip within the 100 km radius of the community is as convenient as taking a walk within the community, a feat that can never be achieved by fix-wing aircraft. Especially in mountainous areas, helicopters can save a lot of trouble.
To save operating and maintenance cost, most of the residents fly standard configured helicopters.
I fly, I conquer
Zhang Junyan: Private flyer who flew all over U.S. on his Bell407 in 2011 and 2012.
Flying a helicopter is my childhood dream. But it comes with risks, I encountered several dangerous situations and an emergency landing once, but I survived with good skills and a calm mind. But it is just this uncertainty and sense of conquering that bonds me to flying. I enjoy the freedom of body and soul while flying among the clouds under the blue sky. It feels like I have conquered the miniature world beneath me. If I am exhausted, I would land a at an interim ramp, take a walk in the wild or in the bustling streets of a city, viewing and recording natural sceneries or local customs.
Adding Color to Life
Martha Philips, President of 99s International Organization of Women Pilots
My husband and I often go to travel by helicopter. We would fly from the east coast to the west or from the north to the south. With a filled tank and enough food and water, we would keep flying until we are about to run out of fuel. We do not set destinations so we always look forward to the next surprise. We take turns to fly. And we never get bored, because we enjoy looking down to the vast terrains of the country. Most importantly, flying changed my once monotonous life and expanded my social network. Today, we often fly to picnic with friends who shared the interest. It is quite convenient as it does not require an airport for take-off and landing.
Experience an Adrenaline Rush
Among all aircrafts, helicopters gives you the best adrenaline rush.
Unlike on a fixed aircraft where aircraft movement lags behind operation, on a helicopter, you can immediately feel the movement of flight. A slight change in force or direction, the helicopter would not be able to keep its position. This sensitiveness is what attracts flying enthusiasts. In fact, it is harder to pilot a helicopter that to fly a fixed wing aircraft. The loss of gravity and sense of direction makes it even more thrilling.
Some daring fliers would remove the gates on both side of a helicopter to feel the direct contact with air. On a light and small helicopter sensitive to the force of wing, you would feel the real fun of flying. Helicopters for sport flight do not need to be fast, but they must be stable, to which purpose, the lighter turboshaft engine is better than more complex and vibrant pistol engine.
A New Perspective
Jason Hawkes, Renowned British Ariel Photographer
Looking from a helicopter, the city seems no longer the familiar place I live or work in. Basked in the morning light, the Empire State Building is taller than viewed on the ground. At sunset, the World Trade Center is more serene than it is at day time. Helicopters give people an unique perspective from the sky that could not be reached on our own.
Sightseeing on a helicopter
If you stand at the edge of the Great Canyon, you would feel like you are at the end of the world. But if you take a helicopter down 1,000 km, you will find yourself on a new planet.
Or if you want to witness the migration of tens of thousands of gnu and the attack of crocodiles in Kenya, a bird’s view on a hovering helicopter will help you fully appreciate the most breathtaking aspect of nature.
Apart from fighters, helicopter is by far the only vertical take-off and landing vehicle. In places like Mount Everest, New Zealand, New York, India, Africa, or Iceland Blue Lagoon, helicopter tour has become the new fad. The enjoyment of helicopter lies not only in flying, but also in sightseeing and photo taking.
Single turbo-shaft engine helicopters with a big windshield or cockpit window is recommended for sightseeing and ariel photography, because they can operate at a high altitude at a low cost. If you love photography, you can attach more shooting equipments, just remember check with relevant authorities if that requires further airworthiness certification.