SEI Industries Bambi Bucket Series User Manual

Section 4: Flight Operations
Bambi Bucket Operations Manual 9
Section 4: Flight Operations
Flying the Bucket
The Bambi Bucket should be flown in accordance with the United States Forest Service recommendations
limiting all helicopters, other than tandem rotor, to a maximum 80 KIAS while conducting external cargo
hook operations.
The recommended never exceed speed (VNE) for the Bambi Bucket is 80 KIAS, however, this is not a
flight manual limitation. Speeds above 80 KIAS should be approached with caution and any decision to
exceed this speed should be based on flight characteristics, aircraft flight manual limitations,
aircraft/bucket configuration and load stability, etc.
Any change that exceeds this recommendation should be formally authorized in your company’s external
load specifications. A suggested flight procedure is to build up speed slowly with the Bambi Bucket,
under prevailing conditions, to determine a safe maximum flying speed.
In order to reduce drag on the bucket when empty, it can be flown in a valve open position by pressing the
release mechanism once while in forward flight.
The dead weight of the load ensures different handling characteristics than when flying empty. As a
result, the Bambi Bucket does not ‘pulse’ or ‘throb’ under load in flight.
NOTICE
Bambi Buckets can operate in any atmospheric conditions where icing conditions are not present. If
icing conditions are encountered during operations, in flight or on the ground, SEI cannot guarantee the
reliable operation of the valve actuating mechanisms nor related components.
Operating the Bambi Bucket at 32 °F (0 °C) or below may have adverse effects on the operation of the
bucket and to the fabrics used in its manufacture. Please refer to this manual for information related to
proper storage.

SEI Industries Bambi Bucket Series Specifications

General

Brand	SEI Industries
Model	Bambi Bucket Series
Category	Other
Language	English