Not computer graphics
March 4, 2016 11:56 AM Subscribe
Los Angeles news helicopter films a formation of V-22 Ospreys as they pass through the city
(Hollywood sign fly-by at ~3:00 mark.)
(Hollywood sign fly-by at ~3:00 mark.)
I love these things. I know they had a long and difficult development, but they do fill an important role. Vertical take off and landing (VTOL) with a longer range than a helicopter, with faster top speed.
Also, I read Hammerheads when I was about 16 years old and seriously geeked out on the V-22.
posted by Fleebnork at 12:07 PM on March 4, 2016 [3 favorites]
Also, I read Hammerheads when I was about 16 years old and seriously geeked out on the V-22.
posted by Fleebnork at 12:07 PM on March 4, 2016 [3 favorites]
Wow, and they didn't even malfunction and crash!
posted by entropicamericana at 12:09 PM on March 4, 2016 [16 favorites]
posted by entropicamericana at 12:09 PM on March 4, 2016 [16 favorites]
Give me a night time shot, and I can finally confirm we no longer need a live-action Ghost in the Shell adaptation, because WE'RE LIVING IT.
posted by Atreides at 12:09 PM on March 4, 2016 [4 favorites]
posted by Atreides at 12:09 PM on March 4, 2016 [4 favorites]
You could almost smell the chemtrails.
posted by I-baLL at 12:10 PM on March 4, 2016 [6 favorites]
posted by I-baLL at 12:10 PM on March 4, 2016 [6 favorites]
Amazing to see these things fly. A few years ago I was walking to lunch (in Boston) and heard a big racket. I looked up just in time to see a flight of two going overhead. They were doing some sort of demo on the common. Beautiful.
The weird thing is I remember hearing about these things when I was a little kid. There would be those "some day, these things will be a thing..." articles in Popular Mechanics or wherever and finally in the late 90s they started to become real, after a few billion dollars and a couple dozen deaths.
posted by bondcliff at 12:12 PM on March 4, 2016 [1 favorite]
The weird thing is I remember hearing about these things when I was a little kid. There would be those "some day, these things will be a thing..." articles in Popular Mechanics or wherever and finally in the late 90s they started to become real, after a few billion dollars and a couple dozen deaths.
posted by bondcliff at 12:12 PM on March 4, 2016 [1 favorite]
I get to see a couple of them from my apartment window every time the President or First Lady visits Chicago. They are pretty awesome.
posted by srboisvert at 12:15 PM on March 4, 2016 [2 favorites]
posted by srboisvert at 12:15 PM on March 4, 2016 [2 favorites]
Since a couple of links have appeared here recently, I'll just note that Foxtrot Alpha is mostly high-quality plane porn and only a tolerable amount of chest-thumping macho nonsense and otherwise tiresome opinion. It's a shame that Flight Club, the civil aviation sub-blog of Jalopnik, seems to have died though.
posted by ROU_Xenophobe at 12:19 PM on March 4, 2016 [4 favorites]
posted by ROU_Xenophobe at 12:19 PM on March 4, 2016 [4 favorites]
So now I'm curious, if the President is only going to get around via helicopter, why does his detail use Ospreys? These things did their familiarization flight with the rotors overhead, like copters. Why not just use copters?
posted by bondcliff at 12:20 PM on March 4, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by bondcliff at 12:20 PM on March 4, 2016 [1 favorite]
Wow, and they didn't even malfunction and crash!
Well, it was only an eight-minute video.
posted by Etrigan at 12:22 PM on March 4, 2016 [11 favorites]
Well, it was only an eight-minute video.
posted by Etrigan at 12:22 PM on March 4, 2016 [11 favorites]
So now I'm curious, if the President is only going to get around via helicopter, why does his detail use Ospreys? These things did their familiarization flight with the rotors overhead, like copters. Why not just use copters?
According to the article, the Ospreys are being phased in because they have a long enough range to fly to their operating sites by themselves. The helicopters traditionally used for the same purpose need to be partially disassembled and loaded into a larger transport aircraft.
posted by tobascodagama at 12:32 PM on March 4, 2016 [1 favorite]
According to the article, the Ospreys are being phased in because they have a long enough range to fly to their operating sites by themselves. The helicopters traditionally used for the same purpose need to be partially disassembled and loaded into a larger transport aircraft.
posted by tobascodagama at 12:32 PM on March 4, 2016 [1 favorite]
Amazing! and when I closed my eyes after it was over, I could still see silhouettes of them with a dim and ghostly city sliding back and forth underneath for two more minutes.
Been a while since that happened.
posted by jamjam at 12:33 PM on March 4, 2016
Been a while since that happened.
posted by jamjam at 12:33 PM on March 4, 2016
So now I'm curious, if the President is only going to get around via helicopter, why does his detail use Ospreys?
The same squadron tests out new aircraft and tactics ( which are then passed on to the rest of the Marines).
posted by My Dad at 12:39 PM on March 4, 2016 [1 favorite]
The same squadron tests out new aircraft and tactics ( which are then passed on to the rest of the Marines).
posted by My Dad at 12:39 PM on March 4, 2016 [1 favorite]
Ospreys have been flying around LA pretty frequently lately. They make for some really dramatic sights. A month or two ago I saw a long line of Ospreys and Blackhawks moving south above the 101 and it was kind of like watching a cavalry charge from afar. Being in LA, you get used to the police and news and small private helicopters, but this is enough to catch anyone's attention. They are loud!
posted by feloniousmonk at 12:41 PM on March 4, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by feloniousmonk at 12:41 PM on March 4, 2016 [1 favorite]
The Sheriff's Secret Police would like to remind everyone that black helicopters are from the World Government. They are vaguely menacing and children should be taken indoors until the "all clear" is given. Keep your children hydrated and perhaps give them a slice of orange or apple.
If you see something, say nothing, and drink to forget.
posted by cjorgensen at 12:42 PM on March 4, 2016 [27 favorites]
If you see something, say nothing, and drink to forget.
posted by cjorgensen at 12:42 PM on March 4, 2016 [27 favorites]
One thing about seeing an Osprey fly over is that you don't realize until you see one in person how imposing they are. They're big and you can feel 'em fly past with the large rotors/props.
posted by azpenguin at 12:48 PM on March 4, 2016
posted by azpenguin at 12:48 PM on March 4, 2016
For sheer "Look at that!" factor, Ospreys are second only to Vulcans in my book. Really impressive things to see in flight.
posted by Emma May Smith at 12:59 PM on March 4, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by Emma May Smith at 12:59 PM on March 4, 2016 [1 favorite]
So cool. I liked the entire video, but the landing to me was really the best part. Also, the lens on the TV crew helicopter was able to zoom a long way. It was sort of like the LA TV crew and the white Bronco but with three green Osprey.
posted by AugustWest at 1:33 PM on March 4, 2016
posted by AugustWest at 1:33 PM on March 4, 2016
I dunno, A-10s are pretty impressive too.
posted by blue_beetle at 1:34 PM on March 4, 2016 [2 favorites]
posted by blue_beetle at 1:34 PM on March 4, 2016 [2 favorites]
The Brotherhood of Steel? 1. They'd support Trump in a second. 2. One or two shots from a modded gauss rifle and they blow up real good.
posted by Zack_Replica at 1:42 PM on March 4, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by Zack_Replica at 1:42 PM on March 4, 2016 [1 favorite]
> they do fill an important role.
Ah, yes.
The US military is the most expensive single project ever undertaken by human beings, and you are certainly getting a lot of good use out of it. Look how they protected you on 9/11! Look how quickly and expeditiously they settled things in Iraq and Afghanistan!
And these shiny death toys do serve a very important role - mostly conveying an astonishing amount of money to a tiny number of the 0.01% who run large military companies, but also in showing people that the United States is belligerent and irrational - because it spends so much money on foreign wars but can't afford to fund infrastructure or education. Who would get into an argument with a man who spent so much money on guns that his children went hungry?
When everyone's screaming how we can't afford Bernie's plan for free college tuition - which we could have funded for the rest of my life and then some just from the cost of the Iraq War alone - and then when I see these insanely expensive techno gadgets that don't even work right, and then I see people unquestioningly fawning over them, I feel obliged to point out how what an incredibly stupid waste of money this all is.
posted by lupus_yonderboy at 1:45 PM on March 4, 2016 [53 favorites]
Ah, yes.
The US military is the most expensive single project ever undertaken by human beings, and you are certainly getting a lot of good use out of it. Look how they protected you on 9/11! Look how quickly and expeditiously they settled things in Iraq and Afghanistan!
And these shiny death toys do serve a very important role - mostly conveying an astonishing amount of money to a tiny number of the 0.01% who run large military companies, but also in showing people that the United States is belligerent and irrational - because it spends so much money on foreign wars but can't afford to fund infrastructure or education. Who would get into an argument with a man who spent so much money on guns that his children went hungry?
When everyone's screaming how we can't afford Bernie's plan for free college tuition - which we could have funded for the rest of my life and then some just from the cost of the Iraq War alone - and then when I see these insanely expensive techno gadgets that don't even work right, and then I see people unquestioningly fawning over them, I feel obliged to point out how what an incredibly stupid waste of money this all is.
posted by lupus_yonderboy at 1:45 PM on March 4, 2016 [53 favorites]
after a few billion dollars and a couple dozen deaths.
$35 billion and 36 deaths.
posted by miyabo at 1:50 PM on March 4, 2016 [15 favorites]
$35 billion and 36 deaths.
posted by miyabo at 1:50 PM on March 4, 2016 [15 favorites]
I do love the opportunities my adopted town gives you for seeing some interesting sights.
posted by drewbage1847 at 1:55 PM on March 4, 2016
posted by drewbage1847 at 1:55 PM on March 4, 2016
Although the Osprey is one project that could actually have huge civilian applications -- imagine if 100-passenger tiltrotors could fly to any small town without an airport. The real madness is the F-35.
posted by miyabo at 1:55 PM on March 4, 2016 [12 favorites]
posted by miyabo at 1:55 PM on March 4, 2016 [12 favorites]
it's all so beautiful and awe-inspiring and terrifying and not at all worth it. in a certain sense it's a neat synecdoche for our modern technoculture as a whole.
posted by You Can't Tip a Buick at 1:57 PM on March 4, 2016 [2 favorites]
posted by You Can't Tip a Buick at 1:57 PM on March 4, 2016 [2 favorites]
Here's the YouTube version, if you also find yourself surprised at how bad Facebook's video player is.
posted by feloniousmonk at 1:57 PM on March 4, 2016 [7 favorites]
posted by feloniousmonk at 1:57 PM on March 4, 2016 [7 favorites]
Although the Osprey is one project that could actually have huge civilian applications -- imagine if 100-passenger tiltrotors could fly to any small town without an airport.
Yeah, I look forward to the time in 5-10 years when the tech has matured and trickled down to medevac and firefighting roles. Would be nice if there were more money in doing R&D directly for those civilian roles, but you work with the military-industrial complex you have, I guess.
posted by tobascodagama at 2:00 PM on March 4, 2016 [4 favorites]
Yeah, I look forward to the time in 5-10 years when the tech has matured and trickled down to medevac and firefighting roles. Would be nice if there were more money in doing R&D directly for those civilian roles, but you work with the military-industrial complex you have, I guess.
posted by tobascodagama at 2:00 PM on March 4, 2016 [4 favorites]
I wonder what he meant by, Collector and Chief? The head of the IRS? This is a party we are not invited to.
posted by Oyéah at 2:49 PM on March 4, 2016
posted by Oyéah at 2:49 PM on March 4, 2016
No Marines were killed or harmed during the filming of this video
posted by TedW at 2:49 PM on March 4, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by TedW at 2:49 PM on March 4, 2016 [1 favorite]
Oyéah - I assumed it was a snarky commentary on the fact that Obama (and really any Democratic President) swings through LA every few months to host high priced donation dinners for the DNC amongst other things.
posted by drewbage1847 at 3:00 PM on March 4, 2016 [2 favorites]
posted by drewbage1847 at 3:00 PM on March 4, 2016 [2 favorites]
Collector and Chief
I heard "Collector in Chief"
posted by ArgentCorvid at 3:03 PM on March 4, 2016 [2 favorites]
I heard "Collector in Chief"
posted by ArgentCorvid at 3:03 PM on March 4, 2016 [2 favorites]
Ah, yes.
[rant snipped]
Yes, really. The V-22 as a transport does everything a helicopter does, and farther and faster. It's an improvement in transport.
If you want to direct your ire at something more worthy, the F-35 program is right over there.
I'm as much of a Bernie supporter as anyone, even voted for him in the primary. But even Bernie isn't going to agree that we don't need any military, or military vehicles that improve on transportation.
It's possible to be liberal, even progressive, and acknowledge that we still need a military in this world, and it needs to get from point A to B efficiently. And sometimes airplanes are pretty cool. As a progressive, you don't have to hate literally everything about the military. You don't get any extra credit for that.
posted by Fleebnork at 3:14 PM on March 4, 2016 [5 favorites]
[rant snipped]
Yes, really. The V-22 as a transport does everything a helicopter does, and farther and faster. It's an improvement in transport.
If you want to direct your ire at something more worthy, the F-35 program is right over there.
I'm as much of a Bernie supporter as anyone, even voted for him in the primary. But even Bernie isn't going to agree that we don't need any military, or military vehicles that improve on transportation.
It's possible to be liberal, even progressive, and acknowledge that we still need a military in this world, and it needs to get from point A to B efficiently. And sometimes airplanes are pretty cool. As a progressive, you don't have to hate literally everything about the military. You don't get any extra credit for that.
posted by Fleebnork at 3:14 PM on March 4, 2016 [5 favorites]
I was really impressed with the coordination between the pilot and camera operator to keep the Hollywood sign centered in frame and unobstructed by the V-22's.
posted by ElDiabloConQueso at 3:17 PM on March 4, 2016 [6 favorites]
posted by ElDiabloConQueso at 3:17 PM on March 4, 2016 [6 favorites]
That's some really remarkable footage.
posted by brundlefly at 3:20 PM on March 4, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by brundlefly at 3:20 PM on March 4, 2016 [1 favorite]
It's an improvement in transport
They put a bathroom on it yet?
posted by Max Power at 3:23 PM on March 4, 2016
They put a bathroom on it yet?
posted by Max Power at 3:23 PM on March 4, 2016
As a progressive, you don't have to hate literally everything about the military...
You can admire the humans, for example. I have been to HMX-1 three or four times with school groups from rural Maine: had lunch with the pilots, toured the hangars, walked through one of the president's helicopters (when he was nowhere around), etc., and the Marines in that squadron are impressive people. (Likewise the tomb guards at Arlington National Cemetery we've met over the years.)
posted by LeLiLo at 4:24 PM on March 4, 2016
You can admire the humans, for example. I have been to HMX-1 three or four times with school groups from rural Maine: had lunch with the pilots, toured the hangars, walked through one of the president's helicopters (when he was nowhere around), etc., and the Marines in that squadron are impressive people. (Likewise the tomb guards at Arlington National Cemetery we've met over the years.)
posted by LeLiLo at 4:24 PM on March 4, 2016
I don't disagree that a lot of individuals in our military are impressive people. And I like warplanes as much as the next nerd. If I'm bored in a bookstore, I will migrate to the section where the hardback warbird porn lives.
The tragedy is when those noble people and beautiful machines are fetishized in the service of militarism, greed, and feckless adventures.
posted by Sauce Trough at 4:44 PM on March 4, 2016 [5 favorites]
The tragedy is when those noble people and beautiful machines are fetishized in the service of militarism, greed, and feckless adventures.
posted by Sauce Trough at 4:44 PM on March 4, 2016 [5 favorites]
I feel obliged to point out how what an incredibly stupid waste of money this all is.
Any thoughts on who will be the next world power, once the American Century fades? Do you think they will be any better than the Han, Caliphate or the Hidalgos?
posted by ridgerunner at 4:51 PM on March 4, 2016 [2 favorites]
Any thoughts on who will be the next world power, once the American Century fades? Do you think they will be any better than the Han, Caliphate or the Hidalgos?
posted by ridgerunner at 4:51 PM on March 4, 2016 [2 favorites]
Oyéah - I assumed it was a snarky commentary on the fact that Obama (and really any Democratic President) swings through LA every few months to host high priced donation dinners for the DNC amongst other things.
No snark from me, I just wondered who he was talking about. Obama has taken fewer days off than any president in this or the last half of the twentieth century.
I am a proud Obama supporter, he is the only Democrat who ever got my father's vote. I am a lifelong Democrat, Air Force brat. I once toured the graveyard at Davis Monthan alone in my Triumph Spitfire. The commercial pilot and news guy, was in contact with the Ospreys, even giving his email address for sending footage. I got the feeling it wasn't an accident he was in the air at the time, though it was presented as such. Then to be contracted to film a presidential detail and speak snark with military pilots is bad form, bad propaganda, especially if he is on The Commander in Chief's payroll.
posted by Oyéah at 5:09 PM on March 4, 2016 [1 favorite]
No snark from me, I just wondered who he was talking about. Obama has taken fewer days off than any president in this or the last half of the twentieth century.
I am a proud Obama supporter, he is the only Democrat who ever got my father's vote. I am a lifelong Democrat, Air Force brat. I once toured the graveyard at Davis Monthan alone in my Triumph Spitfire. The commercial pilot and news guy, was in contact with the Ospreys, even giving his email address for sending footage. I got the feeling it wasn't an accident he was in the air at the time, though it was presented as such. Then to be contracted to film a presidential detail and speak snark with military pilots is bad form, bad propaganda, especially if he is on The Commander in Chief's payroll.
posted by Oyéah at 5:09 PM on March 4, 2016 [1 favorite]
That's some really remarkable footage.
Isn't it, though? The craftsmanship and care in the work are evident.
posted by a lungful of dragon at 5:56 PM on March 4, 2016
Isn't it, though? The craftsmanship and care in the work are evident.
posted by a lungful of dragon at 5:56 PM on March 4, 2016
When the prez comes to the vineyard for vacation we see these. Two years ago four of them came right over my house, very low altitude, at night, with what looked like just some red blinking running lights. It was eerie and i found myself wondering if it was a decoy flight or the prez himself. So I waved.
posted by vrakatar at 6:30 PM on March 4, 2016
posted by vrakatar at 6:30 PM on March 4, 2016
Yeah, I look forward to the time in 5-10 years when the tech has matured and trickled down to medevac and firefighting roles.
And by then they'll probably be drones!
posted by BungaDunga at 6:40 PM on March 4, 2016
And by then they'll probably be drones!
posted by BungaDunga at 6:40 PM on March 4, 2016
I've never understood why they can't give all aircraft basic remote-control capabilities just for the flight testing program. I get that early-stage aircraft crash sometimes, but there's no reason they should ever carry a person until they've been proven reliable.
posted by miyabo at 7:54 PM on March 4, 2016
posted by miyabo at 7:54 PM on March 4, 2016
I dunno, A-10s are pretty impressive too.
The A-10 is an absurd vehicle, a gun barrel with wings & a tail. But it does its job (shooting tanks) remarkably well - so well that we've kept them around long past they were intended. And when it's flying 10 feet over your head it can be intimidating.
posted by scalefree at 8:49 PM on March 4, 2016 [2 favorites]
The A-10 is an absurd vehicle, a gun barrel with wings & a tail. But it does its job (shooting tanks) remarkably well - so well that we've kept them around long past they were intended. And when it's flying 10 feet over your head it can be intimidating.
posted by scalefree at 8:49 PM on March 4, 2016 [2 favorites]
Although the Osprey is one project that could actually have huge civilian applications -- imagine if 100-passenger tiltrotors could fly to any small town without an airport.
The barrier to small town air service is not a lack of airports (runways are already everywhere, and they are cheap to build anyway) -- it is the need for subsidies to keep service going because of the economics of air travel, where small towns just don't generate enough daily trips to be worth flying to.
But I agree that these are neat machines and I can see a future version becoming the perfect air ambulance, for example.
posted by Dip Flash at 10:37 PM on March 4, 2016 [1 favorite]
The barrier to small town air service is not a lack of airports (runways are already everywhere, and they are cheap to build anyway) -- it is the need for subsidies to keep service going because of the economics of air travel, where small towns just don't generate enough daily trips to be worth flying to.
But I agree that these are neat machines and I can see a future version becoming the perfect air ambulance, for example.
posted by Dip Flash at 10:37 PM on March 4, 2016 [1 favorite]
Man. LA is SO HUGE.
posted by town of cats at 12:47 AM on March 5, 2016
posted by town of cats at 12:47 AM on March 5, 2016
What airport do they land at?
posted by nickrussell at 3:09 AM on March 5, 2016
posted by nickrussell at 3:09 AM on March 5, 2016
Any that they want, probably. They don't need much of a runway.
posted by a lungful of dragon at 3:12 AM on March 5, 2016
posted by a lungful of dragon at 3:12 AM on March 5, 2016
They landed at BUR.
posted by anathema at 4:59 AM on March 5, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by anathema at 4:59 AM on March 5, 2016 [1 favorite]
The shot with the Hollywood sign takes me back to "Crimson Skies"
posted by hwestiii at 8:35 AM on March 5, 2016
posted by hwestiii at 8:35 AM on March 5, 2016
Now that I've spent a lot of time with helicopters all I can see is how much fuel it costs to move those things.
posted by furtive at 8:46 AM on March 5, 2016
posted by furtive at 8:46 AM on March 5, 2016
Man. LA is SO HUGE.
I've lived in and around LA since 97, and the size still gets me sometimes. Driving east from the beach it's just hours and hours - even without crazy traffic - before the human footprint starts to thin out.
posted by flaterik at 5:49 PM on March 5, 2016 [1 favorite]
I've lived in and around LA since 97, and the size still gets me sometimes. Driving east from the beach it's just hours and hours - even without crazy traffic - before the human footprint starts to thin out.
posted by flaterik at 5:49 PM on March 5, 2016 [1 favorite]
we still need a military in this world
There's a difference between needing a military and buying a military capability that's a) by far the largest military budget on the planet, at several times the size of the next four or five contenders, and b) believing that because your national government is inseparable from the arms industry that's grown up around it, this is proof of a natural order that demonstrates the righteousness of American foreign policy.
Where are we going with this?* What's this planet going to look like after another 100 years of war?
* I know this video is over the top and older, but it's still packs a lot of perspective into a small space.
posted by sneebler at 5:51 PM on March 5, 2016 [1 favorite]
There's a difference between needing a military and buying a military capability that's a) by far the largest military budget on the planet, at several times the size of the next four or five contenders, and b) believing that because your national government is inseparable from the arms industry that's grown up around it, this is proof of a natural order that demonstrates the righteousness of American foreign policy.
Where are we going with this?* What's this planet going to look like after another 100 years of war?
* I know this video is over the top and older, but it's still packs a lot of perspective into a small space.
posted by sneebler at 5:51 PM on March 5, 2016 [1 favorite]
"Every gun that is made, every warship launched, every rocket fired signifies, in the final sense, a theft from those who hunger and are not fed, those who are cold and are not clothed. This world in arms is not spending money alone. It is spending the sweat of its laborers, the genius of its scientists, the hopes of its children. The cost of one modern heavy bomber is this: a modern brick school in more than 30 cities. It is two electric power plants, each serving a town of 60,000 population. It is two fine, fully equipped hospitals. It is some fifty miles of concrete pavement. We pay for a single fighter with a half-million bushels of wheat. We pay for a single destroyer with new homes that could have housed more than 8,000 people. . . . This is not a way of life at all, in any true sense. Under the cloud of threatening war, it is humanity hanging from a cross of iron."
-Dwight D. Eisenhower
posted by entropicamericana at 5:54 PM on March 5, 2016 [13 favorites]
-Dwight D. Eisenhower
posted by entropicamericana at 5:54 PM on March 5, 2016 [13 favorites]
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