1. Taxying is easy using the steerable nose-wheel, with all four extremities and the nose fully visible through the bubble canopy.

2. The helicopter rose six feet into the air, tilted forward to gain airspeed, and buried its nose-wheel in the ground.

3. "They have done several high-speed taxis with the nosewheel off the ground, " says another veteran analyst.

4. The nosewheel strut uses a single heavy-duty bungee for shock absorbency.

5. In addition, the nosewheel makes it impossible for the plane to tip over on its nose during landing, as can sometimes happen on taildraggers.

6. The nosewheel is steerable, with direct linkage to the rudder pedals for very effective and responsive ground handling and tight turns.

7. The direct linkage steerable nosewheel, plus differential braking , provide remarkably precise ground handling and steering.

8. The greatest drawback to tricycle gear is the greater weight and drag incurred by adding the large nosewheel strut.

9. The video was shot through a fence at some distance, but magnified still images appeared to show the aircraft with its nosewheel clearly off the ground and its parachutes deployed.