So if not Robinson then what?
photex... You've reminded me... There's an article coming out soon in a hard copy monthly magazine comparing R22 v S300 v Cabri. Sorry, I cannot remember which UK magazine or which edition, as my interest is web-based news 
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Schweizer too slow
I trained on the R22 because it was more readily available and less expensive than the H300.
After getting my licence I later did some training on the Bell 47 in Virginia and in Pennsylvania with Darren999 who posts in this forum. If I had my time over, and there was one available, I'd train on the B47. Slow, but the objective is learning to fly, not getting to a destination as quickly as possible.
I now fly the JetRanger and Gazelle. If cost isn't an issue, either would be excellent for training.
So for me at least that leaves the B206 at 3 times the cost of the R22 (given some operators require you to have a safety pilot to SFH, is that common?).
It often depends upon one or both of two factors:
One of the main concerns is the risk of a 'hot start'. There are two different systems - Bendix and CECO. Opinions differ about which is better/easier, but care has to be taken with both. Repair cost ranges from very expensive to astronomical.
The other is how well the operator knows you. Some schools are prepared to hire a B206 to a low hours pilot who trained or did a type conversion with them, and whom they trust, but not to a low hours stranger.
You mention getting an ATPL(H). If that's your ultimate goal, and cost isn't an issue, then B206 hours might help you stand out from other applicants when applying for a job. That's just an assumption - I'm not a professional pilot.
FL
Last edited by Flying Lawyer; 25th Mar 2013 at 09:18.
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Helihub is being coy, methinks. I recall Dennis K did an article about the Cabri in Loop, I believe.
There are links to flight test articles in the Guimbal website. Strangely, even though I registered on their site, I cannot get access. My paranoia is under control these days, so I just expect a website cockup. It may be possible to find the articles some other way.
It is early days for the Cabri, but the design features and new certification standard are a good start.
I hope people are right that global maintenance cost will be reduced. An unavoidable extra cost for new helicopters is the effect of a largish hull value on insurance.
There are links to flight test articles in the Guimbal website. Strangely, even though I registered on their site, I cannot get access. My paranoia is under control these days, so I just expect a website cockup. It may be possible to find the articles some other way.
It is early days for the Cabri, but the design features and new certification standard are a good start.
I hope people are right that global maintenance cost will be reduced. An unavoidable extra cost for new helicopters is the effect of a largish hull value on insurance.
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This link shows an interesting comparision between the Cabri, Robinson and Schweizer helicopters, albeit from a few years ago.
The All New Cabri G2 | Helicopter Wise - An online Helicopter Magazine
The All New Cabri G2 | Helicopter Wise - An online Helicopter Magazine
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Does anyone know how the G2 handles in an auto?
I would be interested to do my training on something like this when I've finished raising the dosh. That's if I don't go into engineering instead.
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This is an interesting thread. I've spent a lot of my career inside Robbie's, and I don't have any big complaints but I'm always interested in new aircraft. I've been reading as much as I can but being in Canada the chance of seeing a Cabri up close are well, zero.
After reading the comparison article from the helicopter wise magazine everything except its performance seems great. The author mentioned the manufacturer's performance data was not available however an IGE Max gross hover ceiling of 5000 feet sends alarm bells ringing. I spent two years instructing at 5000 - 7000 feet in Beta II's and an aircraft with less performance than that seems like quite a challenge.
Can anyone speak to the aircraft's performance from experience? Anyone operate a Cabri at higher DA?
After reading the comparison article from the helicopter wise magazine everything except its performance seems great. The author mentioned the manufacturer's performance data was not available however an IGE Max gross hover ceiling of 5000 feet sends alarm bells ringing. I spent two years instructing at 5000 - 7000 feet in Beta II's and an aircraft with less performance than that seems like quite a challenge.
Can anyone speak to the aircraft's performance from experience? Anyone operate a Cabri at higher DA?
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Guimbal G2
I'd be happy to e-mail anyone wanting a copy of the air test article I produced for BLADES a while ago ... ask on [email protected]. Best wishes to all. Dennis K.
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The Cabri G2 set a so far unchallenged World Altitude Record in 2005 at 6658 metres, or in old money 21,843 feet 9 63/64 inches.
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Aerocopter (Aerokopter) Ak1-3
Really, Aerocopter (also spelled as Aerokopter) manufacturing factory was "queit" for certain period of time,
but continued to produce its rotorcraft.
Now it`s time to start talking again. AK1-3 is very nice rotorcraft that I love so much.
.
but continued to produce its rotorcraft.
Now it`s time to start talking again. AK1-3 is very nice rotorcraft that I love so much.
.
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There is a common thread throughout the ongoing debate.
IF a Robbo is flown as designed , within its limits, pilot taught properly, maintenance done correctly, there is at present nothing like it...
I`ve been flying one for years ..... Its not the machine which causes problems.
IF a Robbo is flown as designed , within its limits, pilot taught properly, maintenance done correctly, there is at present nothing like it...
I`ve been flying one for years ..... Its not the machine which causes problems.
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I totally agree with you, why all of this scaremongering about Robinson products?
However, i've noticed that the Cabri is becoming more prevalent these days for training and could well take over from the R22 as the training machine of choice.
However, i've noticed that the Cabri is becoming more prevalent these days for training and could well take over from the R22 as the training machine of choice.
If it's not the machine, then presumably you're talkingh about the soft squidgy thing in the middle?
If this is indeed the case and it is the human making the mistake - why is it that more people are killed using robbo's than any other helo?
or is it not the machine - not the human but the press reporting a bias towards the robbo?
If this is indeed the case and it is the human making the mistake - why is it that more people are killed using robbo's than any other helo?
or is it not the machine - not the human but the press reporting a bias towards the robbo?
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TC,
I can only assume that it IS the squidgy thing in the middle as you put it, so I can only assume that perhaps the R22 is more difficult to control or less forgiving than other machines?
But surely if it was a problem with the equipment, this would have been corrected years ago.
Honestly I'm not sticking up for Frank but he really gets a bad press.
It goes without saying that there are more Robinson accidents as there are more of them flying.
Just because a Ford has more crashes than a Bugatti, you can't say you shouldn't drive a Ford!
I can only assume that it IS the squidgy thing in the middle as you put it, so I can only assume that perhaps the R22 is more difficult to control or less forgiving than other machines?
But surely if it was a problem with the equipment, this would have been corrected years ago.
Honestly I'm not sticking up for Frank but he really gets a bad press.
It goes without saying that there are more Robinson accidents as there are more of them flying.
Just because a Ford has more crashes than a Bugatti, you can't say you shouldn't drive a Ford!
