[Lexinom]

My concern is its autorotation capabilities. If a helicopter - single or twin rotor - loses power due to enemy fire or mechanical failure, the pilot still has a chance to set the bird down safely. This is especially true of the Chinook - more than one 'Nam vet has told me it gives a significant "bounce" from autorotation, and is one of the safest choppers in surviveability.

I am not so sure about the V-22. In fact, a cursory search on the subject showed that autorotation in the V-22 is unsafe.

That said, the V-22 is still an exciting piece of machinery, and will still certainly fill a niche.

[El Gato]

This is especially true of the Chinook - more than one 'Nam vet has told me it gives a significant "bounce" from autorotation, and is one of the safest choppers in surviveability.

Well, one guy I worked with in the mid 80s was an Army test pilot, (test such as after major maintainence actions) qualified to fly ever sort of helicopter then in the inventory. He hated to fly the Chinook, he knew too much about the drive train. One gear tooth out of line, and the rotor blades will hit each other. No autorotation possible if the blades are broken. But it is a sturdy aircraft.

[El Gato]

IIRC, Both the CH-47 and the V-22 have the engines cross coupled to both rotors/props. Thus something would have to take out both engines or the transfer mechanism, for there to be a need to autorotate. Plus the V-22 can glide, not well, but better than any pure helicopter. Landings would be messy if you can’t get the engines titled up. Probably survivable though.