Helicopter Buzzes Wal-Mart

On Mon, 31 Jan 2005 19:21:41 -0700, Newps wrote
in ::

Duniho is an idiot, always has been.

In my experience, Mr. Duniho is far from an idiot. He's a computer
programmer. In a programmer's world everything must be absolutely
precise and zero-sum. If you've ever attempted to create any computer
software, you'll appreciate that necessity for precision. It's only
when the importance of that desire for absolute order compulsively
overshadows the task at hand (polite conversation in this case) that
it can be accurately characterized as neurotic.

If the copter in your photo is only 50ft in the air, then it is clearly
just an RC toy. Thus, I think you had nothing to fear.

If it is a full-sized aircraft, then it is clearly more than 50ft
(150-200ft would be my guess) - and you state that it was climbing
rapidly (probably had just taken off from a nearby field/lot). Again,
I don't see the problem.

-Pat

"Denny" writes:

Did you discuss this with the FSDO? (nope)...
Have that discussion and you will add to your knowledge of the FAR's...

Did you know that choppers are required to fly the pattern at the airport in
the opposite direction of the fixed wing traffic, i.e. going directly at them
on base leg? (nope, etc.)

I don't think this is true. It is the case at my home base (Princeton, NJ)
and maybe at yours too, but how could the FARs require this? It would
generally defeat the purpose of any airpot having a right pattern for a given
runway if that just meant rotorcraft were going to fly on the other side.

d.

In a programmer's world everything must be absolutely
precise and zero-sum.

Are you kidding? Have you ever run Windows?

Wow - an OS weenie in only 7 levels.

I think this is the first time I've ever seen someone bash microsoft in a
newsgroup! How fresh and original!

Larry Dighera wrote in
:

On Mon, 31 Jan 2005 19:21:41 -0700, Newps wrote
in ::

Duniho is an idiot, always has been.

In my experience, Mr. Duniho is far from an idiot. He's a computer
programmer.

In a programmer's world everything must be absolutely
precise and zero-sum.

Are you kidding? Have you ever run Windows?

wrote in news:1107229443.666426.49330
@z14g2000cwz.googlegroups.com:

snip

field of view. It takes my camera 5 seconds to boot up, then another
few seconds to lock onto a target and snap the photo. I jogged from the
cash registers in the front of the store over to the windows at the
front while my camera was booting. I did not have time to get a second
photo, which I would have done if I could have.

snip

You paid $600 for a camera that takes longer to boot up than Windows and
even longer to process a picture?

You could have gotten one like that for about $150 from... Walmart!

Judah wrote:

You paid $600 for a camera that takes longer to boot up than Windows and
even longer to process a picture?

There are more important things to consider when buying a digital camera --
unless all you take are "birthday party" shots.

George Patterson
He who marries for money earns every penny of it.

"Morgans" wrote in message
...

wrote

I got a photograph of it when it was about 50
to 70 feet in the air. It quickly flew up past me and over the top of
the building.

I realize that helicopters have a lot of flight freedom, but it is
still shocking to see one flying directly towards oneself like this.

I think your altitude estimation skills need a bit of practice. It looks
to
me like the chopper is at least 200 feet up. Anyone else have an opinion?

The rotors are typically 30 feet in diameter, so my guess is about 500-600
feet.

"William W. Plummer" wrote in message
...

Helos are used to police major power lines in my area. My guess is
they are less than 50 feet above the lines. Everytime I see them fly
by I just give thanks that I don't have that job.

Like these? http://mdhelicopters.com/gallery/MD5...0_SCE_0012.jpg
http://mdhelicopters.com/gallery/MD5...0_SCE_0007.jpg
http://mdhelicopters.com/gallery/MD5...0_SCE_0087.jpg


--
Matt
---------------------
Matthew W. Barrow
Site-Fill Homes, LLC.
Montrose, CO

"C J Campbell" wrote in message
news

wrote in message
oups.com...
I was shopping at a Wal-Mart on December 17, 2004, when I noticed
outside a helicopter flying just over the tops of the parked vehicles
in front of the store. It was flying towards me, about 20 feet above
the ground and climbing. I got a photograph of it when it was about 50
to 70 feet in the air. It quickly flew up past me and over the top of
the building.

I realize that helicopters have a lot of flight freedom, but it is
still shocking to see one flying directly towards oneself like this.

Why? It is always flying towards somebody. Anyway, if that helicopter is
only 50-70 feet up it is an RC model. I know that you insist that you were
there and know better, but what did you do, use a tape measure? How the
heck
do you know that it was only 50-70 feet up?

Well, 60 feet is home plate to the pitchers mound, and 70 feet is less than
home to 1st base.

He's a terrible judge of distance.

Let me tell you about the running shot I made on a deer at 500 yards!
--
Matt
---------------------
Matthew W. Barrow
Site-Fill Homes, LLC.
Montrose, CO