Originally Posted by
helonorth
Seems like the 505 has the same range as the 407, maybe a little better. Nobody seems to complain about that. I really don't want to fly a helicopter with more than a two and a half hour range, TBH.
Why not? 5 hrs (=R66 with auxtank) would be just fine. Think typical mission distance 1.5 to 2 hrs. Flying around a bit a destination, and then back the same day. Now there is typically no fuel at destination. If you need to refuel, that means another 2 x 45 min or so to and from fuel station. Fuel planning and arrangements will take up your whole day.