CH 47D Start Up Procedures

Starting up the CH-47D Chinook headed to a fire in Arizona

[@duanejoyner7210]

As an old 47 Delta crew chief/ flight engineer it's so cool to go through that run up and remember 97% of everything... and I've been out now 26 years. Thanks for awesome video.

[@LifeOnTheSkids]

Glad you enjoyed it! Funny how the brain never forgets

[@SHNOOK.]

As a current 47F pilot, it’s awesome to see how similar the old checklist is to the current one. Great video!

[@LifeOnTheSkids]

Thanks buddy and thanks for your service

[@petervenkman1154]

153D here you 154C's are nuts!!! Thank you serving brother.

[@donalddodson7365]

We had the easy part: sit on the sling seats, watch the ground through the little portholes and keep an eye on the door gunners. As long as they were cool, and we were level, all was good. Thanks for the cockpit view.

[@edgardoguzman2858]

So many great memories on these awesome beasts machines. Got some flight time on D and F Models (about 1000 total) with the US Army in the US, Germany, Afghanistan, and Central America. Proven workhorse machines. This makes me miss them very much. Thanks for sharing this great video.

[@SC_XOLOs]

Anytime I flip more than two switches at a time, I feel like a pilot.

[@umairjaved7097]

seen chinooks in pakistan 2005 since a hude fan,we would know that they coming just listening to the unique sound of this machine.very thankful to the crews that helped us in difficult times..

[@Danr657]

Makes me miss Chinooks but my back started hurting listening to the video. I'm a former 47 flight engineer then field mechanic in Peru on 234's for Columbia Helicopters now I fly R44's and small airplanes lol. love your videos glad to see your still flying.

[@LifeOnTheSkids]

Nuevo mundo? Malvinas? I did the jungle in Peru also! 👍

[@anraegodley-cooper6321]

Niiiice

[@Danr657]

@@LifeOnTheSkids mainly out directly west of Iquitos near Ecuador border. two places one named sargento puno was a small military base another one was Naranja but I’m pretty sure the jungle has taken that back over as it was just a staging camp and that was 10 years ago. also down at Nuevo Italia near pucallpa. Helicopter is no more left just a few months before the tragedy

[@LifeOnTheSkids]

Danr_657 I was in Nuevo Mundo when you lost Oprah! Sad day.

[@sixtoedad]

Billings MT resident, just wanted to thank you for this video. Love seeing this bad boy fly low over Billings and always doing training over the river. Great work

[@LifeOnTheSkids]

You’re welcome. Yep we train every year over the Yellowstone River!👍.

[@rkoczewski1]

Earl is one of the best helicopter pilots in the world. He’s an asset to the community.

[@LifeOnTheSkids]

Well thank you.

[@NightFight164]

Is he in Arizona?

[@vote4carp]

Had a Billings Chinook come over and dump on our fire up here in Northern Michigan a few weeks ago, very impressive and efficient work. Thanks for saving our bacon, friends!

[@LifeOnTheSkids]

That’s 562AJ one of my sister ships. Cool.

[@DimensionMachine]

I only understood half of what was going on, but it was quite apparent that this is a crew of pros.

[@mbmann3892]

I don’t have a clue what either of them are saying, but I love how raw this is.

[@alexabadi7458]

For each letter there is a word, A=alpha, B=bravo, C=charlie, D=delta, etc...

[@mbmann3892]

@@alexabadi7458 I’m actually into aviation. I know that much. But I’m into fixed wings. So this is new . But who could resist a start up of the goddess CH-47. I’m sure a lot of rotorwing enthusiast would watch the Start up of a 747. Which I would say is the equivalent to a CH-47 in their perspective categories

[@irishrover63]

Very precise pre flight checks Earl. Loved it. Hope you and the family are staying safe during these difficult times. :)

[@LifeOnTheSkids]

IRISHROVER thanks Amigo you too!

[@bernardanderson3758]

Great to see the CH-47 with two well trained pilots that flew in the military and I love the Preflight before starting checklist read out as required

[@5695q]

It's all about the checklist and doing each item in order every time. Obvious that these guys have time in the machine and with each other.

[@lewiemcneely9143]

I remember the o.d. green ones. Yall were and Are a literal GODSEND! BLESSINGS!

[@kelleysimonds5945]

Tons of respect for these pilots and crew.

[@Pow3llMorgan]

What a positively regal mustache!

[@LifeOnTheSkids]

Ha ha ha. Thank you.

[@stefanosemisa9288]

As always... amazing video! It’s an awesome machine, the start up procedure seems complicated but super fascinating! Your channel is so interesting and inspirational! You are flying the most beautiful helicopters that a pilot can dream to fly ! It’s always a pleasure to see your videos, every time high quality content ! Thanks for sharing with us your experiences! 😊😊👍🏻👍🏻🇺🇸

[@LifeOnTheSkids]

Stefano Semisa thanks Amigo much appreciated 👍👍

[@Bendigo1]

Love the paint scheme on that. Very fitting and flattering.

[@vicpinto1970]

The good old days of pumping that accumulator by hand. I don't miss that.

[@LifeOnTheSkids]

We have the EPUSHA now. Not much pumping anymore. EPUSHA stands for Electric Pump for the Utility System Hydraulic Accumulator

[@vicpinto1970]

@@LifeOnTheSkids Thanks Earl. I was a 68 Foxtrot (Aircraft Electrician). I loved working on the shit hook.

[@LifeOnTheSkids]

vicpinto1970 thank for your service Amigo.

[@TheCardinalSpear]

@@vicpinto1970 damn you were an aviation OG, 68F is now 15F.

[@vicpinto1970]

@@TheCardinalSpear Yes. Did my AIT at Fort Eustis, VA back in 1995. It was a glorious time.

[@davecrupel2817]

Imagine affording your own chinook.... You could take your car or truck, WITH a trailer, your bike, your quad, a bunch of gas/diesel and food supplies, and you could live One HELL of an outdoor life!!

[@jasoncarswell7458]

Affording the chopper and learning to fly it would be the easy part: you'll still need a co-pilot + flight engineer/loadmaster on every trip (especially if you've got tons of crap strapped down in the back), plus a maintenance hangar somewhere with several mechanics who are certified to work on Chinooks. You'd also have to pre-position large amounts of fuel wherever you went, since nobody's going to fly you out 1000+ gallons of gas in the middle of the wilderness and you can't carry enough for all 3 vehicles. By the time you're done, a simple trip with the helo-truck-boat would be a massive undertaking involving coordinated, pre-planned efforts between a dozen or more people. But yeah, the idea itself is cool.

[@atshef]

@@jasoncarswell7458 That... really puts it in perspective. I think I'll stick to my idea of taking a KitFox camping somewhere!

[@valoriant]

@@jasoncarswell7458 well I have one thing on your list of things! tons of crap. I guess it will be a while until I live the epic outdoor life!

[@MacTonight50]

Another Great video from my fav helo pilot. Fly Safe, can't wait for the next one!

[@LifeOnTheSkids]

MacTonight50 thanks Amigo. Thought I’d change it up a bit

[@krell2130]

Yes, Heli's are great. Build me a Helipad.

[@PixelSchnitzel]

Oh man. I think I'd honestly rather pilot that than a space ship. This is awesome!

[@hamesh3474]

Always enjoy seeing this type of helicopter

[@edwardhunter3647]

Thanks,this is what I am talking about,they are very useful,some peoples really don't understand that.

[@leezinke4351]

first time seeing this video. keep up the great work!

[@carloscortes5570]

I love those helicopters! Since I was a very young I always was amazed and curious on how those rotors wouldn't crash each other!! It's crazy to see how those Chinooks work! I pass by this small airport near Middletown DE I believe it's called Summit Aviation where they have dozens of Chinooks parts everywhere! Once I parked my 18 wheeler and watched them put the back end on one.those guys are the best fixing and assembling Chinooks! I've seen some with fire damage and all banged up and 1 week later it's all looking new! I seen some from Canada being fixed there.if you own a Chinook,you need to visit those guys at Summit Aviation in middletown DE

[@therealmwalker1]

Awesome start up video of a CH 47. Thank you

[@LifeOnTheSkids]

You’re welcome. I’m glad you enjoyed it.

[@droid363x]

Awesome video, thanks for sharing!

[@LifeOnTheSkids]

1Z Viper glad you enjoyed it

[@highlands]

This seems like less hassle than my last road trip.

[@lindseysturkie2205]

chinook is a beautiful machine

[@rickbullock4331]

Funny, I use the same check list in my car, the wife hates me when we go shopping.😳😮🙄😁

[@LifeOnTheSkids]

Ha ha ha. I bet she does

[@legallyfree2955]

Load map to K-Mart - Check, Preparing to start car engine, Check, area clear, Check, Starting car engine, Preparing to select drive gear lever clear? gear lever clear check, moving to position drive - gear lever in drive check, ready to remove parking brake check, area infront of car clear check, removing park brake, park brake removed check - Parking brake dashboard light is off, confirmed parking brake is off, ready to apply accelerator to initiate forward motion from the carport check...

[@longsweep1]

Thanks for sharing this, very cool video!

[@LifeOnTheSkids]

Arnaud thanks I’m glad you enjoyed it.

[@phearlesspharaoh3697]

Geez… FLY IT ALREADY!😂 I know it takes a bit to do the CL. I just didn’t know it took that long . When I was in the Army the chinook was like flying in a passenger jet that felt like riding in an elevator. Loved it

[@edutaimentcartoys]

wow, amazing chinook video

[@LifeOnTheSkids]

Thank you

[@LUPUS1970]

What a performance , certainly not chocks away , take off and attack !!

[@butlersmodellingpaintingan3974]

Thanks for the video, brilliant idea for a diorama other than the usual olive drab stuff!!!

[@PantheonEltz]

My 1 and only flight in a Chinook was in 1988 in Honduras w/ 8/101 AVN. hell of a flight :)

[@jimratliff2753]

Man, Helo's have a ton of pre-flight check list items. Very professional, very confident and certainly experienced and qualified.

[@krell2130]

Yes, Heli's are great. Build me a Helipad.

[@bobl78]

very thorough checklist procedure...

[@LifeOnTheSkids]

On through flights it’s not as extensive as the first start of the day.

[@halnwheels]

When I see how many items a pilot has to check before the engines are even started and then more before departure, it never ceases to amaze me just how many cars I encounter on the road where the operator has failed to put on their headlights at night! If they were all flying it would be raining aircraft!!

[@reno3249]

Hey I worked with that bird on the Bighorn Fire last year!

[@jerrodcorey25]

Excellent video Earl. Only takes a couple switches and checks and 2 mins later your up in air LOL

[@LifeOnTheSkids]

Jerrod Corey it’s not this bad after the first flight of the day. The first start of the day has all the checks.

[@joshsager743]

Can’t wait for some POV video Earl! Super excited to see this one. Keep up the good work

[@Relay300]

Great video

[@felipeandrescarvallorodrig6372]

Wooow nice video 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@kerrytackett9457]

Very awesome

[@cptairwolf]

Absolutely brilliant video, I only wish it was in 4k!

[@rogerfournier3284]

THE COMMUNICATIONS ARE CLEAR!

[@rogerfournier3284]

THIS IS EXCITING!

[@LifeOnTheSkids]

Roger Fournier thank you. Glad you enjoyed it

[@hookpilot1681]

Big difference from the start up on our old A and B Models! Wow.

[@LifeOnTheSkids]

Yep

[@andrewbeattieRAB]

For when you have been out drinking and partying at the lake and your wife says “you better FUCKING NOT miss my cousin’s wedding Saturday afternoon.“

[@boomerhgt]

Very cool video

[@LifeOnTheSkids]

Thank you

[@luish19779]

Cool 😎 I got this beautiful helicopter in my Combat Simulator.

[@LifeOnTheSkids]

awesome!

[@Gator_Bait_Motorsports]

Well, at least you won't get bored...LOL. Nice job!

[@CookieRoxette]

Now imagine having to do all that under war conditions, under heavy enemy fire, somewhere in the desert and probably in the dark as well. No visibility and many lives as stake. Sobering.

[@gabrielyoung2724]

Did this a time or two. Love the sounds.

[@ditzydoo4378]

CH47.... for the pilot who Reeeeeally likes checklists and lots, and lots of switches, knobs and gages to fiddle with. ^~^

[@lifeupnorth9385]

Damn, the Shuttle takes less time to start up :)

[@LifeOnTheSkids]

Lol

[@lifeupnorth9385]

@@SarcasticTruth77 I was joking :)

[@cjinbama]

Earl, on startup, you cut away from the rotors. We love seeing them speed up more and more and more. Love to see the strobe effect on such acceleration on the rotors. Kinda wonder why you not thought of this. Anyway, gave my opinion and my advice. ....................................., ok, editing this post. I realize now it is just a procedure video. I can appreciate that, and was excellant. I'm sorry. But the start up would be cool. Ty for the video. Excellent. 🙂

[@plainsroamer405]

That was cool

[@LifeOnTheSkids]

Thank you. 👍😎

[@woolfy02]

That's crazy how they engineered the propellers to not hit each other! (Amazing to me because, I know nothing about this helicopter / plane...whatever it is)

[@interestingstory2498]

I ever flew CH-47 D. I recall APU start and AFCS check.

[@LifeOnTheSkids]

Awesome! It’s my favorite to fly!!!

[@bburn2000]

Loved this video! Is the flight crew former military? Wondering how civilians would otherwise get the training to fly these awesome machines.

[@LifeOnTheSkids]

We are 100% civilian pilots. Not any longline vertical reference pilots in the military. We do everything ourselves with no crew chief so there are civilians flying these. And thanks for the comments on the video. Glad you enjoyed it.

[@samuelr.5438]

I noticed the Billings Flying Service Logo on the helicopter and they recently sent a CH-47 helicopter to somewhere over the border with a Antonov

[@LifeOnTheSkids]

Samuel R. Yes it went to Indonesia

[@Beltfedshooters]

Are these the same ones that just arrived in CA for fire season?

[@NightFight164]

I gotta have one.

[@LifeOnTheSkids]

get two! lol

[@jessjohnson8576]

Full fuel, DA 7500+ and only using 60% torque.. oh yeah, with an F150 and trailer in the back. Power!

[@LifeOnTheSkids]

Single engine max torque OEI Is 123. So yea we could have hovered on one engine. 👍👊🏻😎

[@jessjohnson8576]

@@LifeOnTheSkids What a beast! Awesome.

[@NorthForkFisherman]

BIG WINDY LIVES!

[@NorthForkFisherman]

@SheepDog It was a helluva time. Shitty old Luftwaffe barracks, but great beer and cute German girls. Just watch out for those RedArmy Faction ones.

[@get2dachoppa249]

So you guys have gotten the 714s, EPUSHA, and made those handy hand holds out of seatbelts on the ramp.

[@LifeOnTheSkids]

Yep

[@mr.c1987]

A little late here but can someone explain what all the padding is for in the cockpit ? I am not knowledgeable in anything aviation but find these videos fascinating. Thanks.

[@LifeOnTheSkids]

It’s to dampen the sound and heat

[@venturefanatic9262]

Makes my head hurt.

[@LifeOnTheSkids]

Lol

[@Ianburkhart89]

Payson Arizona municipal airport is where they needed up. I work not far from the there

[@markdudley5656]

Based on your engine start procedure, I noticed it's a D model with FADEC system. Pretty cool! Are they 714 engines or are they 712s retrofitted with HMAs and DECUs? The older d models had 712s, which had a different startup procedure.

[@LifeOnTheSkids]

These are the 714’s 👍👍 5,069HP Contingency Power. Much better than the 712’s

[@jonathanhall7903]

Generators...lights...trim thing...uh...where were we? Aw, crap, gotta start over!!

[@FLG8r]

intrigued by the necessity for attention to detail; imagine if this was the requirement to start a car! would have loved to been a pilot, but, I chose electrical engineer instead.

[@Pow3llMorgan]

Maybe it's not too late! Maybe, you could use your education to get a foot in the door. If not as pilot, then maybe flight engineer??

[@V1AbortV2]

@@Pow3llMorgan Flight engineers are pretty much obsolete these days, with the technology now available.

[@kukumaku6498]

Great video. My son is 18,he just has joined the army to become Ch47 mechanic, currently in AIT. His dream is to become a pilot like you, Earl. But I told him, he has to have college degree in order to become a pilot. I don't know if this is the right path to become a helicopter pilot

[@q1o2]

He doesn't need a college degree to become a pilot! He can apply to become a warrant officer pilot. He'll be able to find out more from the pilots in his unit, or I can help too if he can't find anyone to talk to.

[@chrisshake23]

That 'stache was on point, he likes acronyms too... And your checklists are alarmingly too short. Perhaps a overhead projector and doing the Chinese fire drill is in order...?

[@LifeOnTheSkids]

Ha ha ha. Thanks

[@DavidFunk4475]

What was the unmanned aircraft operations?

[@jimjab3631]

Dude, fire it up. Everything works, as it always does... let's roll

[@jasonbyrd7360]

Thank you for 👍👍🙃👏sharing Vid HAPPY TRAILS n FLY like 🤔🤔 JUST FLY 👋✌️👍👍🇺🇸🙃 👽🛸

[@LifeOnTheSkids]

You’re welcome thanks

[@Bulletguy07]

Blimey.......14 minutes to get this thing up in the air. One things for sure, nobody is going to bother stealing it!

[@TimberTramp]

Like. To see that thing flying logs....more Heli logging in the USA!

[@LifeOnTheSkids]

Timber Tramp me too

[@oldfriend327]

sorry i know this is a dumb question. is there torque to maintain with rudders on that model?

[@LifeOnTheSkids]

No the front and aft rotors turn in opposite directions counter acting torque. 👍👍

[@MyFatty69]

feels like you used half of your fuel before you even taken off D:

[@MasinskiKutak]

Excellent video, very demanding pre-flight protocol, what kind of protocol awaits us on future extraterrestrial flights, obviously these are just fairy tales for more many years to come. 🤔🙃🖖

[@ericgiebel498]

Would like to see whiskey cobra or older preppin

[@gbel9295]

Earl...Is Brian on this trip?? See he posted your Two were eating Armadillo eggs in NM....

[@LifeOnTheSkids]

No he’s on 561AJ

[@LifeOnTheSkids]

And the eggs were tasty lol

[@gbel9295]

@@LifeOnTheSkids Ya need to talk him into starting up his own YT channel..!!

[@joncox9719]

Looks like Payson AZ airport!

[@LifeOnTheSkids]

It is. 👍👍

[@discofishing]

Earl, can you comment on how you got into flying the mighty Chinook?

[@LifeOnTheSkids]

I was actually contacted by the chief pilot at Billings and was offered the opportunity to come fly Chinooks. They were looking for experienced Long Line Pilots. I got hired got my Type ride a couple weeks later then it was off on a fire with a Co-Pilot. I absolutely love flying the Chinook it’s an amazing aircraft. 👊😎

[@not1but2and37]

@@LifeOnTheSkids flew it in Army?

[@LifeOnTheSkids]

Not1But2And3 no I never was in the army or flew the Chinook before

[@not1but2and37]

@@LifeOnTheSkids That's amazing. It takes natural skills to fly rotary. Thanks for replying.

[@python27au]

What are the laws on flying helicopters? Do you need a designated airport or can you put them down anywhere theres room? Just had the thought of turning one of them into a touring vehicle. Fit out the back as caravan with enough room for 4wd.😋

[@CJ2k05]

Nice mustache

[@LifeOnTheSkids]

Ha ha ha thanks

[@flyer55jrt]

It looked like the pilot flying was in the left seat. Doesn't PF usually sit on right hand side in helicopter?

[@doughudgens9275]

The aircraft commander sits in the right seat, pilot in the left in American helicopters- the opposite of fixed wings. But like airliners, they switch off flying. A lot of times in the military, the AC is busy with mission tasks (coordination with ground forces, navigation, formations, etc), and has the pilot fly so he/she can do other things.

[@LifeOnTheSkids]

The Captain sits in the left seat for what we do with a longline. You’ll notice there is a bubble window on the left so you can lean out and see the water bucket 200’ below you. We also extend the left seat and thrust lever to the left closer to the window to help you lean out.

[@LifeOnTheSkids]

Co-pilot sits in the right seat

[@flyer55jrt]

@@LifeOnTheSkids Thanks. As a fixed wing pilot I have always found the rotary wing pilot positions 'unusual'. Your explanation makes sense as the operations you engage in have very specific requirements. Thanks for your comments.

[@donvaledon1]

You would not want to be in a hurry to get some where!

[@ThunderAppeal]

I'm looking for directions on how to land? Can anyone advise? I'm stuck up here and running out of gas.

[@Bendigo1]

Just let go of the controls. You will land in no time.

[@ik04]

Sounds pretty close to the Army checklist. I see the maintenance panel gauges and lights have been moved to the cockpit.

[@LifeOnTheSkids]

Yep. Allows us to fly with just pilot co-pilot no crew chief

[@wingding028]

do you need two pilots or can you fly one solo?

[@LifeOnTheSkids]

Requires pilot and co-pilot. But you could fly it solo with no problem

[@rogueexcavating3839]

When did you start flying the 47

[@LifeOnTheSkids]

Rogue Excavating been flying it for two years now. Like it better than the Sky Crane.

[@superskullmaster]

Earl Watters does it feel sportier?

[@Thatguy01984]

Earl, do you work for Billings full time or are you contracted out? Take care.

[@LifeOnTheSkids]

I work full time with them.

[@Thatguy01984]

@@LifeOnTheSkids Thank you for taking the time to reply! If I may ask, do these guys ever look for co pilots to grow into PIC positions? If so, is turbine time required? Thanks again. Have a good weekend.

[@LifeOnTheSkids]

Trent Friend we hire Co Pilots every year for fire season. 2 years ago I had a Co Pilot that only had 200 hours. So we hire low time co pilots with no turbine time. Do transition into a pic position you have to have a lot of flight time and long line experience.

[@Thatguy01984]

@@LifeOnTheSkids Thanks for the info I appreciate it. I’m still on the fence about going the utility route. Looks like fun, a lot of work but fun. Thanks again

[@LifeOnTheSkids]

Trent Friend if you want to make money in the helicopter industry the utility would is where it’s at

[@3ffrige]

Well, the CH47 would make for a poor getaway vehicle. *killer coming after me and my co-pilot with a gun and a knife* Me: “Hold on for 14 minutes; have to go through this checklist and spool up the enginesl

[@LifeOnTheSkids]

This is just the first start of the day including removing blocks from the upper dual boost actuators. Continued starts and through flights we can be in the air in about 4-5 min no problem.

[@LifeOnTheSkids]

We flew in the movie tenet and for one scene we were in the air in about a minute 😎

[@Bendigo1]

This would actually be a great getaway vehicle if it was running and ready to go. It is one of the fastest helicopters around.