Frank Knows
The R22 was certified under standards that required at least a 1 second dwell time in all permitted flight regimes (that is flying outside of the height velocity diagram).
Is 1 second enough ? it can be, but I remember a study with military pilots averaging over 2 seconds to react to a sudden engine failure.
Personally I was lucky to have a small incident while learning in a R44, the governor not doing its job for whatever reason and the LRPM sounding.
I remember thinking 'what's that' and then starting to lower the lever when I twigged, around the same time as the instructor, but I guess this was 2 seconds or so, luckily not a problem in the R44. (We headed down and wound the throttle on, everything soon back to normal). I'm sure I'd have been ok without the instructor in the R44, but not so sure I'd be here now if flying a R22.
But this really did make me think. I mostly fly R22's because of the cost, but you really have to approach every flight as if you're going to have a problem and be reading without thinking to get that lever down.
I agree, you'll have much more than 1 second in the cruise below max weight and power, but do not think about anything else when climbing than being ready to get that lever down at the slightest twitch or horn sound.
And Frank knows what we all know, really the R22 is not safe enough for fun flying, its not much fun always been on edge and knowing your 1-2 seconds away from death at any moment. And if you're not on edge, then you may not be quick enough.
Which is why he's considering stopping production,
sw