T'aint natural: Thanks for that, I am sure the recorded stats speak for themselves. However, this does throw up an anomoly:
Read the NTSB report, it is in direct opposition to your sourced findings. R22 use in the States far exceeds UK usage. It is classified as a high risk helo in the US.
I suspect the statement "one of the safest helicopters".... is your personal opinion and not fact.
I also suspect the real reason why the R22 has taken to the air in disproportionately large numbers, is simply because of one fact: COST, and nothing else.
One doesn't have to be an R22 pilot to be aware that there is something strange surrounding the track record of R22's. The R44 doesn't seem to be cursed with the same problems. [You don't have to be a reliant robin driver to have an understanding of its shortfalls].
There is most definitely a problem with the R22 picture, it is either:
1. Badly designed.
2. Very unforgiving.
3. Very dangerous in the wrong hands (inexperienced pilots).
As far as the yanks are concerned, it seems No3 is the culprit.
