ARCTIC EXPERIENCE - NORWAY      

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                                     Dutch Aviation MEDIA 2012                    page 6 of  7 
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FLYING WITH THE NORWEGIANS:  IWHITE OUT !
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We arrive at another exiting day ! Lt. Col. Stangnes, Commander of 339 Squadron welcomes us in very good Dutch !
Crews are briefed about their assignments for the day, and weather conditions.
Two crews are reserved for an exercise in which we will be able to fly and witness the flight and the exercise.
Within possibilities both photographers consult and present their wishes to the crews....
The exercise will involve a so called white-out, where pilots have to land without sight due to drifting snow.
Snow enough in upper North, we'll fly at the level of Tromso. Our Bell-412SP helicopters are being prepared....
.... basic in the hangar and then town outside on the platform on lorry's.
Conditions are bad outside, but perfect for such an exercise.
The pilots will have to land later on in clouds of snow, caused by the wind of the own rotor-blades.
On certain moment the sight will dissapear completely.
Bell-412SP  '143' is 'our machine', the 146 will be the accompanying helicopter to picture.
The crew brings in the neccessary equipment, we divide the available seats and cameraspots.
We're airborne, ready to make pictures of all that's coming, even with open door fastened by only a lap seat-belt 
Two pilots and a navigator in front.
The crews search for an open spot where they can land to drop us off in the open field.
Connected to communicate with the crew, on the 'Gunners-Seat'. With open door during flight only possible for about every 10 minutes... Longer is not to endure because of the extreme cold wind by the rotorblades and snow so you'll have to warm-up a bit for another five minutes again with the door closed. What a cold but striking experience ! 
Here the first attempt to test the snow and location....
.....we are dropped off and instructed to walk in front of the helicopter while the rotorblades are in nutral state. With equipment walking in snow of about 70 to 80 cm's deep, seeing hardly anything we choose position. 
While landing, still the pilot can see...knowing the 'white-out' or 'Vortex' phenomenon will start any second....
Only centimeters lower the Vortex effect starts......
.... and the pilots have to rely on instruments and visual impressions just before the Vortex effect. Nothing visual outside !
We could witness the effect up to, say 80% (above) and then we also couldn't see anything anymore but 'white' ! Also the camera's were covered with snow by the force of the wind.
Here another view of the starting 'Vortex-effect' , just before the sight for the pilots disappeares. 
From some more distance you can see how the snow starts whirling up when the helicopter descends....
The helicopter's rotorblades create a wall of snow around itself which cannot be avoided .... 
...... ending up in a white-out.....
..... finally seeing nothing of the environment.
On the last page of this impression you can switch to another exercise like this by the Dutch with a Chinook. 
  
So far, with some badges we end this page and will proceed with page 7.
   
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