First off, the speculation in this article that the anti-aircraft weapons that Commissioner Kelly is bragging on are .50 Barretts on a helicopter is probably flat wrong. Most helicopters have a maximum speed of between 120 knots and 180 knots (138 to 220 mph). Commercial jets generally have maximum speeds of over 500 knots (580 mph), though they fly no faster than 250 knots below 10,0000' due to Federal regs.*, ** A jet being used in a 9-11-type kamikaze attack would blow right past the helicopter. (Unless this is what the NYPD is fearful of.)
If the NYPD has the capability to reliably shoot down an airliner, then they have surface-to-air missiles. The NYPD has a well-earned reputation for the use of excessive force.*** What chowderhead approved the transfer of MANPADs to the NYPD?
Second, anyone who would put into a news story that they are surprised that a helicopter can fly at 3,000 feet is an idiot, and so is the editor that approved the story. The Robertson R22 has a service ceiling of 14,000' and that is for a piston-engined helicopter. Most turbine-powered helicopters can fly higher. This is the sort of gaffe along the lines of "all small airplanes are Piper Cubs" that helps to convince people that, when it comes to anything remotely technical, one can never trust a news story to get the facts right.
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* The DC-8 that collided with a Constellation over Staten Island in 1960 was flying at over 400 knots.
** FAR 91.117.
*** Well, maybe not by Bull Connor's Jim Clark's or the NOLA PD's standards.
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4 comments:
Good gravy, that article was making me stupider. I had to stop reading.
Did they discuss how they can use cars to take down terrorist helicopters, as demonstrated by Officer Bruce Willis? Also, if the terrorists have a Medusa, use a polished shield to avoid her gaze.
... when it comes to anything remotely technical, one can never trust a news story to get the facts right.
That should be carved in stone somewhere.
Don'tcha know, we select media folks just like politicians. It's all about whom can foam at the mouth and look good too. Ain't got nothing ta do with facts or knowledge.
It's who we choose ?
Not me....
No, what they have are .50 cal. for taking down crop dusters full of anthrax. Or so says the New York Daily News. They said that missiles were not in the picture.
-Doug in Oakland
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