How do you write about something you don't know?

[wyvern1096]

Greetings Y'all! I'm in the middle of a short story where the main character is a "life-flight" helicopter pilot. I'm trying to get a scene down where a corpse re-animates in the back of the chopper while it's in flight. However, I am not a pilot. I'm scanning through a copy of "Chicken Hawk" by Robert Mason to get a feel for the terms, etc... How do y'all handle writing about a profession or subject that you have limited knowledge of. Thanks for the help.

[EvilFlyingCow]

Write about what you know. So if you want to write about something but you don't know anything about the subject, do some research. For instance, if you want to describe the cockpit of a helicopter, but you've never seen one, go look at one. If you want to describe what the pilot does to take off, do some research about the mechanics of flying a helicopter. You don't have to become an expert in the field, you just need enough general information to describe to your readers what is taking place.

[UndeadAnthology]

Yeah, what EvilFlyingCow said. If I were you I'd try to get in touch with a life-flight pilot and go talk with him/her.

Jacob

[kortick]

well considering you are writing a story about the dead coming back to life
to eat the flesh of the livng
there arent that many people you can talk to
who have had this happen to them

so just read up on the parts of helicoptoring you
need to write your story and go for it

dont get confused with the fact you are writing a historical novel
get enough info to make it logical then move on

its a zombie story for god sake

dont research it like you are
writing about the ming dynasty

[Excessium]

Just be creative about it. Avoid the language period. Dude, here you go:

Pilot
Eta 5 mins

EMT 1
****! he's flatlining!

Victim Flatlines. EMT's faces are dissapointed. EMT 2 covers deceased's face.
Deceased victim starts to move. Emts looked suprised and emt 1 pulls cover off victims face. Victim attacks EMT 1.

Pilot
WTF is going on back there?

Emt 1
This dude is eating me!

Pilot
Headquarters, EMT 1 is being eaten, permission to make emergency landing.

Something like that :p

Or watch Aliens where the alien attacks the pilot on the airship. She didn't say a word, the alien splattered her face before she had time to declare an emergency.
Good luck =)

[Eyebiter]

If you want to understand the physics and controls of a helicopter start here
http://science.howstuffworks.com/helicopter.htm

History of the term Life Flight
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Life_Flight

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Air_ambulance


Most modern helicopters have all the equipment of a standard ambulance, just in a smaller footprint. So if a patient goes into arrest they can use the paddles to shock the heart, just like a regular EMT would do.

This is the stats for a helicopter used at a local hospital here in SD.

=============================================
Bell 230 Helicopter - Trauma 1
http://www.siouxvalley.com/ClassLibrary/Page/Images/Data/300.jpghttp://www.siouxvalley.com/ClassLibrary/Page/Images/Transparent_Clear.gif
Twin engines, 850 hp each
http://www.siouxvalley.com/ClassLibrary/Page/Images/Transparent_Clear.gif Cruise speed over 160 miles per hour
http://www.siouxvalley.com/ClassLibrary/Page/Images/Transparent_Clear.gif 300 mile range (150 mile radius)
http://www.siouxvalley.com/ClassLibrary/Page/Images/Transparent_Clear.gif Crew - One pilot, Up to three medical personnel, One or two patients, Family member
http://www.siouxvalley.com/ClassLibrary/Page/Images/Transparent_Clear.gif Interior - totally dedicated for use as an air ambulance, On board oxygen, Suction, Compressed air, Electrical outlets, Two stretchers, EMS radio and telephone
http://www.siouxvalley.com/ClassLibrary/Page/Images/Transparent_Clear.gif Medical Equipment - Heart monitor/defibrillator, Automatic blood pressure machine, Ventilator, Pacemaker, Infusion pumps, Pulse oximetry, Splints, Advanced Life Support (ALS) Medications, I Stat lab analyzer, O-negative blood for trauma patients

[Mutineer]

Research

[Todd Tjersland]

I'm constantly amazed by what a little Googling can do when researching ANYTHING! :D

Wikipedia can be a great help, too, although the information is sometimes suspect...

[Todd Tjersland]

One more resource is the "Hotel 23" forum at www.raptorman.us

It's full of active and ex-military and survivalist zombie fans who know all about weapons, ammo, and that kind of stuff. Doubtless they have some pilots there, too. They are an invaluable resource and one I consulted while writing Deathbreed: A Zombie Novel (http://www.zombienovel.com).