Random Griz Aviation Musings

[IKE]

Sharing the ramp in Louisville today with an S-58T doing some precision long line work in the area. Impressive hard-working machine. Single pilot operations for both long line and VFR ferry. They tell me they have all the work that they can handle and they are booked up through 2026.

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That was one of the weirdest and coolest experiences for me at TPS -- Long line work in an S-55 -- Tighten lap belt, undo shoulder straps, lean halfway out of helo and hover while looking straight down. Awesome

 

[AIRMMCPORET]

Sharing the ramp in Louisville today with an S-58T doing some precision long line work in the area. Impressive hard-working machine. Single pilot operations for both long line and VFR ferry. They tell me they have all the work that they can handle and they are booked up through 2026.

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A couple of those in central Washington they use for ag purposes, like blowing the rain off the cherry crops. Always reminds of the TV show Riptides.🤣

 

[ChuckMK23]

A couple of those in central Washington they use for ag purposes, like blowing the rain off the cherry crops. Always reminds of the TV show Riptides.🤣

I've seen these aircraft at work up in Michigan as well. Piston powered S-58's. Efficient at what they do and its a necessary ag mission. Soon these will be replaced by battery electric quadcopter drones - DJI has a number of fofferings in this space and they are adopted in Asia, EU, Africa, etc. US are kind of the holdouts when it comes to innovative industrial drones - not to mention xenophobic bias against excellent tech companies like DJI.

 

[Random8145]

I've seen these aircraft at work up in Michigan as well. Piston powered S-58's. Efficient at what they do and its a necessary ag mission. Soon these will be replaced by battery electric quadcopter drones - DJI has a number of fofferings in this space and they are adopted in Asia, EU, Africa, etc. US are kind of the holdouts when it comes to innovative industrial drones - not to mention xenophobic bias against excellent tech companies like DJI.

I don't think it's xenophobic bias so much as just distrust because it is Chinese (if it was Taiwanese, a lot of those people would have no problem with DJI).

 

[Random8145]

Sharing the ramp in Louisville today with an S-58T doing some precision long line work in the area. Impressive hard-working machine. Single pilot operations for both long line and VFR ferry. They tell me they have all the work that they can handle and they are booked up through 2026.

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Very cool, I didn't know those were still used.