Ground resonance is a hazardous condition during touchdown or at other times when the helicopter is running while sitting on the ground. A series of shocks to the landing gear can pass through to the rotor disk and cause an imbalance in the rotor system. Under extreme conditions, the imbalance causes violent oscillations that quickly build and result in catastrophic damage of the entire airframe. While filming an episode for MacGyver this Gazelle helicopter pilot encountered the first symptoms of ground resonance and managed to recover from this potentially dangerous situation by taking off. During takeoff, the helicopters door opened in flight but the footage was kept and was aired in the episode.
Tiff Needell, the host of the television show “5th gear” takes his yellow Porsche 911 GT3 against a Gazelle helicopter, in what he calls a race of speed and agility. Anyone can do a drag race against a jet fighter… but what about doing a full lap on the circuit?
Blue Eagles display at Shoreham a decade ago. The Blue Eagles are one of few professional helicopter aerobatic teams in the world and they fly four Aerospatiale Gazelle helicopters as well as one Westland Lynx helicopter, famous for doing loops and rolls at the various air shows the team performs.
Another great video from the French. This time it’s the Gazelle helicopter in what appears to be a low altitude training exercise. These low level flights are quite intense… the helicopter feels very tight, very responsive and the rush of seeing the ground pass under you at high speed is quite spectacular.
This is a former clip of the Aviation Légère de l’Armée de Terre - ALAT. The ALAT is one of the many Corps that form the French Army officially known as the Armée de Terre. The ALAT consists mainly of Gazelle and Puma helicopters and was established on 22 November 1954 for observation, reconnaissance, assault and supply duties.
The Blue Eagles is a British professional helicopter aerobatic team. Formed nearly 40 years ago, the Blue Eagles team is also famous for including the first British female military air display pilot: Sgt Julie Wiles. They fly four Gazelle light helicopters and one Westland Lynx. The Blue Eagles team is composed entirely of volunteers. The team continues to fly out of Middle Wallop and its repertoire includes formation flying, loops, rolls, breaks, and many other standard aerobatic maneuvers. Watch them “work their magic” in this amazing video, soundtrack is Queen - A kind of magic…
