B9 said:
I always believed pilots who learned on the B model then went to H models then Blackhawks etc had much less difficulty flying and flew the aircraft better (not the auto pilot) than pilots who went from AS350 to Blackhawk then the Huey's or 206's.
What makes you believe this thesis B9?
As for the collective mounted throttle (of which I am a big fan), it is of most benefit when there is a decent arc between idle and fully open - as per the Huey 212 and 412. Having a tiny arc such as the Aussie mil AS350, the B206 and the EC120 is good, but misses the full potential of the system by being too sensitive to easliy play with in emergency scenarios.
SASless, personal digs aside, the US forces hardly operated the UH-1 series off "small boats". A marinized, large shoal aircraft they aint.
And can you imagine trying to overcome the urges aroused by finding a small boat full of bearded rivet examiners pass through your gunsight when returning for the day?
No, E86 is right. We couldn't hack it for a day. The toss up between having to ditch at sea with no fuel versus letting such a rich and irresistable target go unmolested would send any Huey gunship crew crazy in the first week.
