The Irish Coast Guard Rescue 115 search and rescue helicopter team has sought to enlighten people on one frequently asked question about its flying techniques.
A video posted on its Facebook page aims to explain why the helicopter lifts off the ground, rises to ten feet and drops down – a little like a yo-yo on a string- before climbing for departure.
The video demonstrates what the air crew describe as the “standard bounce into ground effect”.
It was recorded as the Sikorsky S-92 helicopter took off from the Aran island of Inis Meáín for University Hospital, Galway.
“This is where you see us hover the helicopter, then drop her low before applying power and departing,” the post says.
“ What happens is rotorwash at the lower height, coupled with the cantered blades, gives extra lift,”the crew says.
“On the way up, a certain power is applied and the aircraft will lift vertically to a height that allows safe flight away from obstacles,”it says.
“ In the event of an engine failure before forward flight, the aircraft would land back on the pad/ground safely, and if the same happened when forward flight is achieved the aircraft would safely fly away,” it explains.
“This is used in helicopter sites that are near big buildings/confined areas for safe operations to the aircraft, and the people or buildings around the site,”it says.
View the video below