Boeing Vertol CH-46 Sea Knight

Aircraft Information
> Aircraft Make: Boeing Vertol (and Columbia Helicopters) Model: CH-46 (BV-107). Nickname: Sea Knight (and “Phrog”)
> Aircraft Mil Civ Description: Helicopter
> FAA Category and Class: Rotorcraft, Helicopter
> Engine Description: twin

Aircraft Experience
> As of: 11/7/2024
> Number of Hours Flown: 2.7
> Number of Times Flown: 3
> Other Aircraft Models Associated: a number of different license-built a/c both civil and military

First Flown Information
> Sequence First Flown: 32
> Date First Flown: 11/4/1986
> Location First Flown: NAS Patuxent River, MD (KNHK)
> Who and/or What Organization First Flown With: USNTPS, Kendall Card

Recollections: My first flight in the Sea Knight was at USNTPS as a student and I believe it was a syllabus flight (something like “helo demo”, if I recall) with Instructor Ken Card (who, like many graduates of USNTPS, went on a very successful Navy career, making 3 starts and serving as the Deputy CNO).  I remember that taxiing the Phrog was one of the most challenging things, you had to put just enough (but not too much) collective in to get it moving the right speed, then use the pedals to turn while simultaneously bouncing the nose a bit with the cyclic…to (I guess?) allow the landing gear to pivot.  Rubbing you belly and patting your head..standard ops for helo bubbas!  I enjoyed the experience though I’m sure Ken was wishing the hop would end.  

The CH-46 was also an amazingly maneuverable helo.  I had seem them in action, as a midshipman, doing vertical replenishment (VERTREP) between two Navy ships underway at sea.  Back and forth they went, picking up and dropping off loads, flying sideways between the two ships.  Amazing dance.  On this USNTPS flight, I found out why it was so capable…the handling qualities were solid, it hovered very stably and even a fixed wing guy could put the aircraft on the right spot consistently.  

Many years later, I got the chance to fly the 46 again, though now it was called the BV-107 (BV means “Boeing Vertol” and it was model 107); Columbia helicopter later purchased the type certificate and I was working a project with them for the installation of a rescue hoist.  One of the test points was to fly at 1.11 Vne…but, before you get too impressed, Vne (with the basket out) was only 40 KIAS…so the test point was 44 KIAS.  It was all good.

Filed Under: Helicopter, 26-50