Agusta109K2:AlpineMedivacRescu　　StraightUp'sexplorationofverticalflightbeginswithahighimpactalpinerescueamidanavalancheThedramaticopeningsequencedocumentsthedangerousworkoftheRegamountainrescueteamandtheinvaluableroleoftheAgustaA109K2helicopterinsavinglivesandminimizinginjuries　　AsthecamerapansoverbeautifulvistasofthesnowcoveredSwissAlps,itcutstoacornice,asachunkofsnowbreaksfree,triggeringanavalancheThetranquilsceneisshatteredastheavalanchethundersdownthemountainslopesWithterrifyingspeed,itheadsstraightforamotherandchildtrappedintheircar,wheelsspinningontheicyroad　　Themothercallsforhelponhercellphone,andasecondcallfromasnowplowpromptsradiodispatchTheRegamountainrescueteamalreadyisairborneenroutetothescene,theredcrosspaintedonthehelicopter'swhiteunderbellysignalingthatmedicalhelpisonthewayThemotherescapes,buthersonismissingWithinminutesofthehelicopterlanding,therescueteamdigoutthecar,extractthetrappedboy,applyfirstaid,andairlifthimandhismothertosafety　　Asignificantmountainhazard,avalanchesareresponsibleformanydeathseachyearTimeisoftheessenceinavalancherescueworkApersonhasa90percentchanceofsurvivaliffoundwithinthefirst15minutes,butone'schancesofsurvivaldiminishwitheachpassingminuteNotonlydohelicoptersprovidequickaccessforrescueteams,theyalsoprovidealifelinetomedicalcareFlyingtheinjuredtothenearesthospitalasrapidlyaspossibleisnottheonlytypeofrescueoperation;oftenhelicoptersbringthehospitaltotheinjured,whoreceivetreatmentatthescene　　ThepowerfulavalanchewasshotinBritishColumbia'sSelkirkMountainsunderthesupervisionoftheCanadianAvalancheAssociationTheCAAcontrolsavalancheriskforthesafetyofheliskiersTocapturetheavalancheheadon,avalancheexpertandfilmmakerSteveKrochelandDavidDouglasdevelopedaquarterinchthicksteelcontainerfortheIMAXcamera,whichwasequippedwithatriggeringdeviceandabeepersothatthecameracouldbefoundoncetheavalanchehadsweptitdownthemountain　　TherescuewascompletedinSwitzerland'sBerninaPassneartheItalianborderFilmingtheRegarescuehelicopterairtoairsequenceturnedintoaninternationalexcursionasDouglaschasedthesunlightoverItalyinonedirectionandinAustriainanotherbeforesettingdowninSwitzerlandInanotherdramaticshot,DouglascenteredtheredcrossinthecrosshairsofthecameralensasthecraftdescendedTofacilitatethisshot,DouglasdugaholeinthesnowlargeenoughtoaccommodatehimselfandtheIMAXcameraInsidethehole,3feetbelowthehelicopter,hefilmeditstakeoff　　AccordingtoDouglas,"Thehelicopteristheinstrumentofrapidresponsetonaturalphysicalandsocialdisastersaroundtheworld,alleviatinghumansufferingonamajorscaleFortheindividualcaughtbeyondthelimitsoftrainingorequipment,oftenthelastchanceforsurvivalisthehopethatahelicopterwillgettothemintime"　　ThePitcairnPCA2,"MissChampion"　　ForcenturieshumansdreamedofflightTheChinese,inthe12thcentury,developedatoyhelicoptermadefromapairofslatsmountedonastick,butseriouseffortshadtowaituntiltheearly20thcenturyThen,aftertheWrightbrothers'historicflightatKittyHawk,wedreamedofflightunfetteredbythelimitationsofrunwaysandairportsYetbytheearly1930swewerestillatthedawnofthepracticalrotorcraft,whichpromisedtogiveformtohumanity'svision　　Thetenyearperiodbetween1925and1935wasanexcitingtimeinaviationhistory,butfewaircraftsocaughtandheldthepublic'sattention,astheAutogiroNicknamedthe"flyingwindmill,"thisstrangelookingaircraftwasfirstsuccessfullyflownin1923bytheSpanishinventor,JuandelaCierva,whohadbeenworkingonthedevelopmentofsuchacraftsince1919TheAutogirofascinatedtheairmindedpublicbecauseofitsremarkableperformanceandhighdegreeofsafety,attractingsuchleadersofAmericanaviationasCharlesLindberghandAmeliaEarhart　　JuandelaCiervasoldtheAmericanmanufacturingrightstoHaroldPitcairnin1928Pitcairn'sAutogiroboastedamoremodernfuselagewithbetteraerodynamicqualitiesItalsoprovidedprospectivebuyerswithachoiceofeithera300or420horsepowerengine　　Inthefilm,HaroldPitcairn'ssonStephenflies"MissChampion,"a1931modelThisAutogiro,usedforpromotionbytheChampionSparkPlugCompany,iscontrolledlikeanairplane,butisliftedwithbladesAlthoughtheoriginalrotorbladeshaveseen1,600hoursofflighttime,theyarestillairworthyWitha330horsepowerWrightR975Eengine,theAutogirohasacruisingspeedof98mphandatopspeedof118mph"MissChampion"ledaNationalAirTourandmadethethenrisky300milelongflightfromMiamitoHavana,CubaUntilthen,thelongestoverwaterflightbyanAutogirohadbeen25milesinlengthLater,"MissChampion"flewnonstopoveradistanceof500milestoChichenItzaintheYucatanrainforest"MissChampion"wasretiredfromactiveservicein1932aftersettinganewaltituderecordforrotarywingaircraftClimbingtoaheightof21,500feetin1932,theAutogirosurpassedthepreviousrecordsetbyAmeliaEarhartToday,theAutogiroisconsideredtobetheevolutionary"missinglink"fromwhichthepracticalhelicopterwasborn　　FortyyearslaterStephenPitcairnbegantheformidabletaskofcollectingandrestoringexamplesofhisfather'saircraftHetrackeddown"MissChampion"andinOctoberof1982beganthepainstakingtaskofrestoration,usingtheoriginalPitcairnfactorydrawingsInthespringof1985"MissChampion"flewagain　　TheBell47G:AFlyingLesson　　SincePitcairn'sAutogiro,improvedcontrolsystemsallowtheairframetorisedirectlyfromthegroundwithapoweredrotorStraightUpputsyouinthepilot'sseatofaBell47GasthebasicelementsofhelicopteroperationaredemonstratedTheBell47G'ssinglerotorconfigurationisbyfarthemostcommontypeusedtodayYourflyinglessonbegins　　Asahelicopterpilot,thepilotusesallfourlimbstofly,allatthesametimeWiththelefthandholdingthecollectivepitchcontrollever,hepullsupeversoslightly,andwegostraightupintoaslowmotionhoverThespinningrotorbladesactassmallwings,buttheyspinsofastthattheycreateonecontinuousdiscofliftWhenthebladeschangeangle,orpitchcollectively,thehelicopterrisesorfallsThepilot'srighthandalwaysholdsthecycliccontrol,effectivelytiltingthewhirlingdiscabovePointleft,tiltleftPointright,tiltrightThecamerathenclosesinonthetailrotorOnceagain,thealteringofthebladesaffectsdirectionThechopperspinsinresponsetothepilot'sdepressingoneofthetwofootpedalsIfhedepressesthesecondpedal,thehelicopterspinsintheoppositedirection　　ThePiaseckiH21BTandemRotorAircraft,"TheFlyingBanana"　　ThelastflyingH21Bhelicopterintheworldtakesoff,headsforthebeachandcruises100feetabovethePacificsurfoffthecoastofCaliforniaOneoftheearliesttandemhelicopters,theH21Brepresentsthebirthoftheheavylifthelicoptersanddatesbacktotheearly1950sNicknamed"TheFlyingBanana"foritsshape,theH21BhadmorepowerandgreaterstabilitythanprevioushelicoptersThetandemrotorH21Bcarriestwosetsofwoodenbladessituatednearly50feetapartbutoperatedbyonesetofhelicopterflightcontrolsThepilotmustbeevervigilant,asthishelicoptercouldrapidlyinvertshouldthepilotletgoofthecontrols　　ThevintageH21BusedforthefilmwasdecommissionedfromtheUSAirForcein1972andwasrestoredbytheCaliforniabasedClassicRotors:TheRareandVintageRotocraftMuseumThisnonprofitmuseumandrestorationfacility,dedicatedtothepreservationofunique,vintageandrarerotorcraft,spentmorethan10,000hoursreturningtheH21BtoairworthinessEveryhourflownrequires100hoursofmaintenanceClassicRotorsistheonlymuseumofitskindtomaintaineighthelicoptersinflyingconditionWhenitsnewfacilityinSanDiegohasbeencompleted,themuseumwillexpanditsexhibitsfrom15to30vintagerotorcraft　　OneofthehighlightsofitscollectionisafamousrelativeoftheH21BThisisaV44thecommercialversionoftheH21nicknamed"TheHolyOne"andistheonlyonetolandattheVaticanandbeblessedbythepopeWhileona1959demonstrationtourinEurope,thehelicopteranditscrewhadprovidedhelptoItaliancommunitiesfollowingadevastatingearthquake　　FutureHelicopterDesigns　　Oneaspectofcurrentresearchcentersaroundthedevelopmentof"quiettechnology"thatwillallowhelicopterstobecomebetterneighborsandtooperatemorestealthilyinpoliceandmilitaryoperations　　Quiettechnologyadvancesrelyonacombinationoftechnologies,whichincludeimprovedrotorbladedesignandtheuserofrotorsystemswithfourormorebladesReplacingthetailrotorwithaCoandaeffectNOTARNoTailRotorsystemgoesalongwayinreducingnoise,asdoesshroudingthetailrotorinanarrangementknowasa"faninfin"Otheradvancesfocusonnoisedampeningairinletsandimprovedenginenozzles　　Newhelicopterdesignsaretestedintheworld'slargestwindtunnelattheNASAAmesFlightResearchCenterlocatedatMoffettFieldinCaliforniaAmeswasfoundedin1939asanaircraftresearchlaboratoryoftheNationalAdvisoryCommitteeforAeronautics,whichbecamepartoftheNationalAeronauticsandSpaceAdministrationNASAin1958NASAhastheleadingroleinaerospaceoperationssystems,whichincludeairtrafficcontrol,flighteffectsonhumans,androtorcrafttechnologyNASAAmesscientistsandengineersstudyrobotichelicopters,highspeedhybrids,andadvancesinquiettechnologyThecenteralsohasmajorresponsibilitiesforthecreationofdesignanddevelopmenttoolsandforwindtunneltesting　　TheNASABellXV15Tiltrotor　　Inthefilm,anXV15convertsoverDallasFortWorthAirportTheXV15isanexperimentalrotorcraft,theparentofanewfamilyofaircraftcalled"tiltrotors"ThetiltrotorcombinesthehoveringabilityofthehelicopterwiththespeedofafixedwingaircraftTheXV15cantakeoffandlandlikeahelicopterTheaudiencewillseetheenginestiltingforwardasthetiltrotorbecomesahighspeedplane　　TheBellBoeingV22Osprey　　AV22Ospreyunwraps,emerginglikeaprehistoricflyingdinosaurBuiltprimarilyfortheUSMarines,AirForce,andNavy,theV22OspreyhaswingsthatpivotandrotorsthatfoldtofacilitateitsstorageatseaInlessthan90seconds,youwillseetheV22completethisprocessAlthoughstillclassifiedasatiltrotor,itisfaster,withthreetimestherangeandmorethantentimesthepayloadofitspredecessorItshowsthepromiseoflongdistancetravel,withoutairports　　TheHawk4Gyroplane　　Rotorcraftevolutionisalsointhehandsoftheentrepreneur,andthisindependentspiritismostevidentintheHawk4GyroplaneWhilesomedesignsproducegroundbreakingchanges,thisaircraftbroughttheeconomyandsafetyoftheAutogirointothespaceageArotorisusedforslowspeedflight,butathighspeedcruisingalltheliftisprovidedbythewingwhiletherotorhasnoliftTheGyroplaneshowspromiseasahighspeed,lowdiscloadingrotorcraft　　TheBoeingSikorskyRAH66Comanche　　TheComancheripsanddipsacrossthescreen,setagainstasunsetThisprototypehelicopterhasstealthtechnologyIt'ssmart,agile,fastandinvisibletoradarIt'sthefirsthelicoptertoproviderealtimedigitaldatatoheadquartersSeeinginthedark,sensingtheforcesatplayaroundusandactingontheevidenceinrealtime,theComancheisacomplexflyingmachinewithahumanbeingatitsheartEveryday,inunexpectedways,itextendsourpowersandputsustoworkwitharevolutionarytool　　TheComancheisthecentralelementoftheUSArmy'sfutureObjectiveForceInadditiontoitscomplementofmissilesand20mmcannon,theaircraftcarriesstateoftheartsensorsandavionicstoprovidebattlefieldcommanderswithsomuchaccurateinformationaboutenemymovementsThisknowledgewilltranslateintomoreprecisetargeting,increasingtheeffectivenessoffriendlyforcesbeyondcurrentcapabilities　　TheUSArmyhasdefinedarequirementofmorethan1,200ComanchesfortheObjectiveForceTheRAHComanche,thearmy's21stcenturycombathelicopterisbeingdevelopedbytheUSArmyandateamofleadingaerospacecompaniesheadedbytheBoeingCompanyandSikorskyAircraftCorporation,aunitofUnitedTechnologiesCorporation　　TheSikorskyUH60BlackHawkandAS350B2AStarEnforcetheLaw　　Eventsswiftlyunfoldastheradarplanespotsan"unidentified"CessnadroppingbundlesofdrugsoffthecoastofMiamiatdawnAsignalalertstheMarineandAirBranchofUSCustomswhospeedouttointerceptthesmugglersJustasthedrugsaretransferredfromboattovan,TheAStarhelicopterburstsoverthetreetops,deployingatacticalteamtoarrestthedriverWhilethesmuggler'sCigaretteboatattemptstoescape,aBlackHawkhelicopterdipsdowntocreateagiantbackwashInastunningdisplayofimpeccableteamwork,thisactionforcesthefleeingboattoswervetoahaltasaCustomsboatcutsitoffandapprehendsthecriminals　　Onatypicalday,theUSCustomsServiceexamines13millionpassengers,2,642aircraft,50,889trucks/containers,355,004othervehicles,588vessels,64,923entriesandundertakesthefollowingenforcementactions:64arrests,107narcoticseizures,223otherseizures,9currencyseizuresTheseamountto5,059poundsofnarcotics,$443,907incurrency,$228,803inconveyances,$525,791inmerchandiseandmorethan$15,800inarmsandammunition　　FilmedoveraperiodoffivedaysoffthecoastofMiami,theair,land,andseadrugbustwasstagedbytheUSCustomsService,whichreliesheavilyonhelicoptersduringsuchoperations　　USCustomspilot,TomStanton,participatedintheshootwithhiscopilotKimberlyKesselKesselisoneofsevenwomenUSCustomspilotsandonlyoneoftwoqualifiedtoflyBlackHawksBothpilotsvolunteeredtoworkwiththefilmcrewSaysKessel,agraduateofEmbryRiddleAeronauticalUniversity,"Theywerephenomenal,readytotryanything"　　Inadditiontodaytimeflights,Stantonfliestheriskiernightmissions"Flyingatnightisdangerousasyouloseallperceptionofwhat'supordownbecauseboththeskyandoceanareblack,sotheyjustkindofrunintogetherThere'snohorizononthosedarknights,"saystheveteranpilot　　Typicallyhefliesfrom300to500feetabovethewaterat120to150knots"Notmanypeopleflythatlow,eveninthedaytime,"saysStanton"There'snoautopilot,soit'shandsonPlusyou'rechasingsomeoneYouhavetobeawareItcangettenseoutthere"　　Stantondescribesanairchase:"Oncethere'satarget,welaunchajetwithradarThejetpilotcallsthehelicopteroutandwelinkup,flyinginformationWefollowthebadguywhereverhegoesIfhehasextendedrangefueltanks,weleapfrogandsendanotherhelicopterouttotakeupthechaseTheBlackHawkcarriesfivehoursoffuelWhenhegetsintohislandingconfiguration,wecallthelocalpoliceorsherifftohelpusout"TheBlackHawk,whichcancarryupto14people,typicallycarries4or5armedpersonnel,"soweinstantlyhaveaforceofpoliceofficerstheretogetthebadguys"　　"Ifit'saboat,wehaveCigaretteboatslikethesmugglersWe'llcallourboatandhaveitintercept"StantonfliestheBlackHawknexttotheboat,makingithardforthesmugglerstonavigate"ItintimidatesthemintogivingupSometimestheydo[but]sometimeswechasethemforhoursOrwe'llfollowthemintoamarinaandblockthemuntilourboatscomeIftheyhitthebeach,we'llcallthestatepoliceorsheriff,andtheysetupaperimetersotheguycan'tgetout"　　Stanton,whofliesmissionsasoftenasonceortwiceaweek,hasbeenflyingfor26years,13ofthoseasanarmyhelicopterpilotbeforehejoinedUSCustomsinMiamiwhereheisthe"standardizationinstructorpilot"Hemakessurethateverybodyfliesthesameway,sothatwhentheyteamup,thepilotseasilyworkintandemPilotsfly8hourshiftsandtheoperationgoeson24hoursaday,7daysaweekinareascoveringboththeCanadianandMexicanlandborders,theAtlanticandPacificcoastlines,andtheGulfofMexico　　TheMD500EHelicopter　　AMD500helicopterhoversdirectlyabove500,000voltpowerlinesAsitinchescloser,alightningboltsuddenlyzapsoutfromthehotline,arcingtowardthewandextendedbyalinemanperchedonanaluminumplatformthatjutsoutfromthehelicopterThe"hotlinequalified"linemanclampsontothepowerlines,andhelicopterbacksoff,leavinghimto"wirewalk,"crawlingalongparallellinestoinspectthePPLpowerlinegrid,100feetoffthegroundToreboardthehelicopter,thelinemanmust"bondoff,"reversingtheprocedure　　"Idon'tgivetwohootsandaholleraboutflyinginsideahelicopterPutmeoutside,that'swhereIwanttobe,"saysDaniel"Spider"Lockhart,AgRotorslinemanThere'sonlythreethingsI'vebeenafraidofmostofmylife:Onewaselectricity,onewasheightsandtheotherwaswomenAnd,I'mmarriedtoo,"hegrins"ThesafestlinemanisonethatisafraidofelectricityWhenwebondtothepowerlinesenergizedathalfamillionvolts,wehavetobringourselvestothesamepotentialThatiswhyyouseethatarcjumpingouttoourwandaswemakeboththehelicopterandthepowerlineatthesamepotential,sothatwecaneliminatetheflowofcurrent,"explainstheveteranlineman　　Spiderwearsaprotectivehotsuit,75percentNomexforfireretardationand25percentstainlesssteelthread"ThemetalthreadbasicallymeansIhaveacagearoundmethatcanbeenergizedaTV版eryhighvoltagelevelsAhalfmillionvoltspassovermybody,butIcanworkwithoutinterferencefromtheelectricity"　　Hecontinues,"Watchingthatelectricityjumpoutwhileyou'reenergizingthehelicopterisathrillGettingonthewire,walkingthewiretodorepairsisathrillThebiggestthrillIgetisfromdoingwhatIdoisbeingabletodobothtogethertheelectricalpartandthehelicopterpartofit,thespeedatwhichwecandoitandstillbesafeTherearesomanythingsthatthehelicopterenablesustodoaslinemen,whichisveryrewarding"　　TheteamworkoftheskilledhelicopterpilotsandhighlytrainedlinemenensurethatthePPLCorpprovidesaconstantsourceofelectricitytoits13millioncustomersinPennsylvaniainadditionto44millioninLatinAmericaandEuropeTomaintaintheintegrityofthetransmissionsystemtoresidentialandcommercialestablishments,andtoensurethesafetyoftheoperation,theteamplansandrehearseseverymovewhileonthegroundbeforetakeoffEvenso,unanticipatedgustsofwindandglarefromthewirescanaffectthepilot'sdepthperception,requiringtotalconcentrationduringhishoursatthecontrolsAsthehelicopterisisolatedfromtheground,thepilotandlineman,cladinprotectivestainlesssteelsuits,mustbondontothetransmissionlinestobringthemselvestothesamevoltagepotentialofthelinetoworksafelyparallelingwhatabirddoeswhenitsitsonawire　　ProbablythemostunusualplacethatthedirectorriggedthecamerawasontheendoftheplatformontheMD500,whichisdesignedtocarrythelinemanashebondsontothehalfmillionvoltpowerline"Wetookawaythelinemanandputthecamerainhisplace;thelinemanrodebehindthecameraandusedhiswandtodrawthearcofelectricityrightontothecameralensIdon'tthinkit'sbeendonebeforeItblewalltheelectronicsoutofthecameraacoupleoftimesbeforewefiguredouthowtodoit,"recallsDouglas　　TheBoeing234Helicopter:HeliloggingwithLimitedEnvironmentalDamage　　FloatingabovetheforestinnorthernCalifornia,a12tonBoeing234helicopterselectsitstargetwithprecisionSelectiveloggingisaprocesswhereonlyaportionoftheavailabletimberisremovedfromaloggingsiteAsingletreeisliftedstraightupfromtheforestfloor,leavingtherestoftheareaenvironmentallyintactRemovingsuchtimberveryoftentreesthatarealreadydeadordiseasedallowstheremainingtreestothriveontheadditionalresourcesofsunlight,water,andsoilnutrientsHeliloggingisenvironmentallyfriendlyinotherwaysaswellFirst,sincethelogsareliftedfromtheground,littlesoilerosion,typicalofconventionalloggingmethods,occursSecond,inmanycasesthehelicopterisabletouseexistingroadsforlandings,meaningnonewroadsneedtobebuiltintotheareabeinglogged　　ColumbiaHelicopterscutsmorelogseachyearthananyotherhelicopterloggingcompanyTopreparethetimberforthehelicopter,thespeciallytrainedloggingcrewcutitintocarefullyweighedsectionsColumbia'sflightcrewsareamongthemostexperiencedatlonglineworkintheworldWithspeedandprecision,theyareabletomoveheavyloadsoflogsattheendoflinesupto350feetlongOncethelineisloweredfromtheBoeing234helicopter,steeltongsclampthelogandtheentiretreeisremovedwithoutdisturbingthebalanceofnature"It'skindalikelookin'down25storiesandpickingupatelephonepole,"commentsthehelicopterpilot,DaveStroupe,whodepositsthetimberatanearbytransferyard"Theuniquethingaboutthishelicopteristhat,whenwetakeofffromtheground,weweighapproximately22,000poundsAndwe'reriggedforabout26,000poundswhenwegetlowonfuelSotheloadactuallyweighsmorethanthehelicopterIt'sexcitingandharrowingallatthesametime"　　TheBoeing234shavealiftcapacityof28,000lb,12,727kg,butmostoftencarryloadsbetween23,000lb,10,454kgto24,000lb10,909kgduetoelevationandairtemperatureconsiderationsThecompanytrainsloggerstoworkwithhelicoptersbecauseloadweightissuchadramaticpartofwhattheydoWeightisdetermined,usingaformula,whichareafunctionofthevolumeandthetypeofwoodDifferenttreespecieshavedifferentweightspervolume　　Whenoneofthepilotssuggestedusingthelogasaplatformforthecamera,DouglasrealizedanotherexcitingcameraangleThepossibilityexistedthatthebranchescouldscrapeoffthecameraasthelogwashauledupDouglaspreventedthisbyplacingthecamerainsideaheavysteelavalanchebox,whichheanchoredontheendofabiglogOncethelogwasgrappled,thehelicopterhauledtheprotectedcamerarightthroughthebranches,givingtheaudienceabreathtakingviewfromtheperspectiveofthelogTheUSMarineCorpsAV8BHarrier,AH1WCobra,CH53ESuperStallionandCH46ESeaKnightonaMilitaryMission　　AnAV8BHarrierjetdemonstratesitsverticallandingabilityfollowedbyaforcereconnaissanceinserviceexercisefromanaircraftcarrier,asMarinesclimbaboardtheCH53EAH1WCobrasandHarriersformanassaultsupportpackage,asthereconnaissanceteamsetsoutonamissiontoobtaininvaluableintelligenceabouttheenemy　　InsidetheCH53E,themachinegunnerisatthereadyasaCobrafiresthreerocketsTheactionheatsupastheIMAXcameracapturestheMarinesfastropingthroughthe"hellhole"andslidingdownaropedanglingfromtheCH53E,landinginenemyterritoryTheleaderofthereconnaissanceteamsays,"Bythetimeyougettotouchropeinalivesituation,youandyourmenfeeltighterthanfamilyYourfatesaretiedlikethestrandsofarope"　　TwohourslatertheMarineshavecompletedtheirmissionandarereadytobeevacuatedNowtheenemyhuntsthemonthegroundTreesshakeastherescueCH53Ehelicopterhoversoverhead,loweringaropetothesquad,nowuptotheirwaistsinwaterOneaftertheother,inamatterofseconds,themenclipthemselvesontotherope"Extraction,evenmorethaninsertion,iswhenyouneedspeedYou'vebeenawfulquietSuddenly,you'reawfulloud,"saysSgtJamesKenneke,thesquadleaderHe'sfirstinandlastoutLiftedup,likewashingonaline,thesquaddanglesbeneaththehelicopterasitisescortedbyCobras,outovertheAtlantic　　"It'sarelieftogetoutButthere'sthatmomentofdoubtEverythingslowsdownwhileyou'reexposed�holdingyourbreathforthathappyendingAndwhenyougetit,youfeelontopoftheworldOfcourse,thenwe'vegottocommutehomejustlikeeverybodyelse,"smilesKennecke　　TheMi26andMi8DeliverHumanitarianAid　　Sometimes,somethingverypreciousmustbedeliveredbehindenemylinesfoodSierraLeoneisanationthathassufferedyearsofconflictFromthefooddepottothehotspot,helicoptersprovideanairbridgeHoistingfoodandmedicalsuppliestodistressedpeoplebehindrebelheldterritories,theyhavetheabilitytohopoverhotzonesindesperatesituations　　Theworld'slargestproductionhelicoptertheRussianmadeMi26istheworkhorsefortheUnitedNationsUNpeacekeepingoperationinwartornSierraLeoneTheheaviestproductionhelicopterintheworld,thismajesticeightbladedcraftoneoffourcharteredbytheUNfromRussiacancarryamaximumof44,090lb20,040kgofinternalpayloadorupto70troopsTheMi26'stopspeedis183mph295kphandithasarangeof304miles400km　　Inthissequence,theMi26isloadedwithcargotosupplyUNtroopsprotectinganisolatedcommunityinthecenterofrebelheldterritoryTheworld'slargestfoodagency,theUNWorldFoodProgramWFP,organizedamassiveaircampaigntargetinginternallydisplacedpersonsthathadcongregatednearaclinicformalnourishedchildrenOncerebelsfromtheRevolutionaryUnitedFrontRUFhadsurroundedtheareaandblockedroadaccess,theWFPwaspreventedfromcompletingabulkdistributionInstead,theyloadeduptheirMi8andflewtotheDaruclinicwherethemosTV版ulnerablewomenandchildrenwerelocated　　"AllchildrenunderfivewhoaremalnourishedaregivenaspecialfeedingprograminDaruAndtheunderfivearealwaysthefirstonesyoutargetforanykindofextrememalnourishedcases,becausetheydieveryquickly,"saysAyaShneerson,programofficerfortheWFP"Daruisakindofanisland,asafeisland,surroundedbyareasthatareunsafe,"shesays,"andforthatreason,italwaysservedasasortofmagnetfortheveryvulnerablepeoplecomingout"　　AnotherbigWFPoperation,FoodforPeace,givesfoodtochildexcombatants,inanefforttoattractthemtodisarmamentanddemobilizationcamps　　Theheavilyladencraftflewoutofthecapitalcity,Freetown,situatedonthewestcoastofAfricabetweenGuineaonthenorthandLiberiaonthesouthTheWFPsupervisesavarietyoffeedingprogramsinthedisplacementcamps,feeding5,000inanoperationthattargetedBunbuna,KabalaandDaruin2000　　Throughouttheworld,helicoptershavesavedmillionsofhumanlivesThereare777millionpeopleindevelopingcountries,accordingtotheWFPIn2001theWFPfed77millionhungrypeople10percentofthehungrypoorin82countries　　Diamonds,whichshouldhavebroughtprosperitytoSierraLeone,insteadresultedinoneofthemodernworld'smostbrutalinsurgencies,datingbackto1991whenrebelslaunchedawartooverthrowthegovernmentIntheensuingyears,continuousbattlesbetweenthevariousfactionsrebels,thearmyandthegovernmentdisplacedtensofthousandsofinnocentcivilians,resultinginhungerandfamineIn1998UNobserversdocumentedreportsofongoingatrocitiesandhumanrightsabusesIn1999negotiationsbeganbetweenthegovernmentandtherebels,andanagreementwassignedinLometoendhostilitiesandformagovernmentofnationalunityBy2000,theUN'sexpandedroleresultedinthedeploymentof17,500militarypeacekeepingpersonneltovariouspartsofthecountryFreeelectionsinMay2002havegivenhopeandafreshstartedinSierraLeone　　TheAS350B2andAS350B3UsedforWildlifeRelocation　　InSouthAfrica,helicoptersarehelpingtosavetheblackrhinofromextinctionProtectedinafewremotepreserves,theirnumbersarerisingHowever,shouldtherhinosfeelovercrowded,theywillfighttothedeathToprotectthespecies,somemustberelocatedtosafehabitats,butthisiseasiersaidthandone　　AplatformdanglesfromahelicopteroverheadInsideanotherhelicopter,flyinglowovertheSouthAfricanveldt,amanwitharifletakesaimatablackrhinoceros,dodgingthroughthebushesbelowThepilotconcentratesonflying5feetaboveand10to15feetbehindtherhinoAnticipatingitseverymove,awildlifeveterinarianpullsthetriggerofhisgunloadedwithatranquilizerdart,scoringadirecthitthatsuccessfullypenetratestherhino'sinchthickskin　　"WhenIamdartinganimalsliketheblackrhino,thereisthisimmensetrustbetweenmyselfandPiet,thepilot,"sayswildlifeveterinarian,DrDouwGrobler,whospecializesinimmunizationsandtranslocations"Iknowexactlywhathe'sgoingtodoandwherehe'sgoingtoplacemeIdon'thavetothinkIcanjustconcentrateontheanimalsIjustknowhe'sgongtoputmethereintherightspotattherighttimeIt'salmostthathesenseswhattheanimal'sgoingtodoInthatway,hecanchangetheanimal'smindwithhishelicopter"　　Groblerhasmeasuredaspecificdrugdosage,whichcankeeparhinoasleepforuptotwohoursOncetherhinoisdarted,thegroundcrewlandsassoonaspossibletoundertakeamultitudeoftasksTheymonitorthebeast'svitalsigns,takeskinandbloodsamplestostudyitsbasichealthandtodetectanynutrientsthatarelackingThisensuresthatthehabitatishealthyforlongtermpropagationTheyalsoconductpregnancytestingEachrhino'searisnotchedsothatitcanbeidentifiedeasilyfromtheairandgroundThetipofthesecondhornisremovedtoprovidematerialforgeneticresearch,andatransmitterisfittedintotherhino'shornfortrackingitswhereaboutsPoacherspresentaconstantdangertotherhinos'securityShouldapoacherremovethehornforexport,thetransmitterwouldtriggeranalarm　　Whentwomalesinhabitthesameterritory,onemustberelocatedbeforetheybattletothedeathPlacingaslinginposition,thecrewrollstherhinoaboardtheplatform,makingsureitisfullyasleepWithaliftingcapabilityof3,500lb1,590kg,theAStarB3canrelocatethe2,250lb1022kgrhinotoanareaofthesanctuarythatisaccessibleonlybyhelicopter　　TheextensiveresearchonelevenblackrhinosacquiredduringthefourdayshootwasmadepossibleonlythroughSKFilm'sfinancialcontribution"MyfieldofexpertiseliesinthecaptureandrelocationofAfricanwildlifeIamextremelygratefultoStraightUpforsponsoringthisincrediblyimportantresearchandrelocationprogramatthegameparkWithoutthefilm,thisresearchwouldnothavehappened,"saysGrobler,whoorganizedthecapture,researchandrelocationproject,withthefilm'sproductioncrew"Everyanimalisjustsovaluable,"hesays,"andanyinformationthatcanbecollectedonthemisworthitsweightingold"　　Theprehistoricancestoroftoday'srhinosexistedmorethan50millionyearsagoAmongtoday'sfiverhinospecies,theblackrhino,whichhastwohorns,hassufferedthemostspectacularrateofdeclineFromapopulationof65,000in1970ithadbeenhuntedalmosttoextinction,decliningtoapopulationof2,300by199293CurrentstatisticsindicatethattheAfricanblackrhinopopulationhasrisento3,500asaresultoftheprotectionofnaturereserves,developedbyconservancygroups,agenciesandgovernmentstofacilitatebreedingandrelocationprograms　　ThissegmentofStraightUpwasfilmedinonesuchreserveinSouthAfrica,whereblackrhinoshadbeenreintroducedin1986Thehelicopter,anirreplaceableco