New Recovery style

[The STIG]

The fact that they needed to call out their ground crew to do the snatch suggests that they could have brought a truck instead. It still seems like a whopping great publicity stunt to me

[Stephen Green]

Stig, you are not reading the posts above and without being rude, you weren't there either. I was!

[The STIG]

Sorry bout that - I think I've posted the wrong thing in the wrong place there.

[foreversideways]

Listen you want to see these guys doing their thing in the alps. Very impressive !!. Been on board around the Eiger hovering 10" from rock face with wind everywhere, awesome. Thought it was a cracking idea

[mitzi dude]

when I saw the helicopter recovery I thouhgt I was dreamin. But no it realy was.But one expensive way to do it !!. A fun way to get your car picked up.?

[RaceFreak]

Having slung loads on a long-line as a former Navy helo pilot, I can tell you unequivocally that it's not really that difficult. The length of the line minimizes downwash, and with proper care will result in far less damage than slingin' the car back to the paddock behind the towtruck. Certinly it's quicker and less disruptive to the race. A competant pilot can place the load within inches of a spot, and can give it a softer touchdown than the hydraulic servo on a truck. The cars are light (for a turbine powered helo), have built-in hoisting points, and are ideal for helo lifting. Crowd safety isn't much more compromised than the TV/media helos buzzing around F1/ChampCar/IRL events (obviously the pilot has to use care when he has a load, to avoid overflying people). I think it's a great idea. Bernie should pay attention.