Small Aircraft; Low Wing; 1 Eng; Fixed Gear
Flight Crew Private; Flight Crew Instrument; Other A&P
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 15; Flight Crew Total 2940; Flight Crew Type 4750
Conflict Ground Conflict; Critical; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Ground Event / Encounter Other / Unknown
Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Human Factors
I approached UOX from the east-northeast on an IFR plan and was in contact with Memphis Approach on 128.5.  The controller was talking to other GA aircraft in the vicinity as well as two helicopters.  When I had UOX in sight I cancelled IFR for a VFR visual approach to Runway 27.  The controller advised no other aircraft in the vicinity of UOX.  I announced my position and landing intentions on the UNICOM frequency 123.0. Upon landing I left the runway; entered the taxiway/ramp area and taxied to a designated tiedown spot on the ramp. As I turned into the south facing tiedown spot; and still monitoring 123.0; I spotted two [helicopters] approaching in low formation. One of the helicopters announced on the UNICOM 'making formation landing; Runway 9; using the runway and taxiway'.  My familiarity with aircraft and helicopters made it clear that this was going to create a hazardous condition from propwash from those large helicopters. Due to an obstruction in front of my plane I could not taxi further away; nor was there time to take any evasive action.  I told my passenger to hang on; we could be flipped over; and I was on the controls and brakes.  The combined taxiway/ramp markings were just 140 feet from my aircraft. The propwash from the two [helicopters] was tremendous.  Our plane was shaken badly; cones marking reserved parking spaces were blown hundreds of feet to the south; materials in an open hangar on the south side of the ramp were blown around. Fortunately; my post incident inspection revealed that my actions on the controls prevented damage to the aircraft.  Had this landing of the [helicopters] occurred 5 minutes later; our aircraft would have been open; our baggage would have been out on the ramp; the plane would not have been tied down; and my [passenger] would have been blown to the ground.  At that point there would have been injuries and damage to the aircraft. There is no excuse for training to be taking place in this manner at a public airport.  There are important safety reasons for the separation of runways and taxiways.
General Aviation Fixed Wing pilot report his parked aircraft was severely buffeted by rotor wash from landing helicopters.