Video: Bell 407 Helicopter Departs KAUW

In this video, you’ll see a Bell 407 helicopter operated by PHI (Petroleum Helicopter, Inc.) departing Wausau, Wisconsin on a medical flight.  PHI operates helicopters all over the country on medivac contracts and oil rig support among other things.  I was in Wausau operating a charter flight in the Citation X and this flight departed just as our passengers arrived.  You can see the shadow of the tail of our airplane in the video.  Possibly because I was filming, these guys looked to ‘hot dog’ out of there, slewing sideways before zipping away.  If they weren’t so expensive, I’d be flying helicopters, so I really enjoyed the show!

Jonathan

HD video here

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Video: How fast is the Citation X?

Recently, I flew a trip in the Citation X, and an opportunity arose to give a good idea of just how fast the airplane is.  Coming home from Lebanon, NH, we happened to be on the same airway as a Southwest Airlines Boeing 737 going the same direction, only we were 2000 feet higher and going significantly faster.  You can see that in about 90 seconds, we gain over 2.5 miles on the 737.

I couldn’t get a good shot of the plane out the window, but I filmed the TCAS2 (Traffic Collision Avoidance System) display, in which you can clearly see the relative movement between the two airplanes.  Conveniently, our true airspeed and groundspeed are also shown on the same display.  In most conditions, the X cruises at around 525 knots TAS, and with a hefty tailwind, I’ve seen upwards of 615 knots over the ground, or roughly 700mph.

Enjoy!

Jonathan

HD video here

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