Mosquito helicopter

[Chukkablade]

HF,

I had a long and very detailed, hyperlinked reply typed out, but when I went to post the same, the site decided I wasn’t logged in after all and it disappeared into the ether. So here is the substantially abridged version, as I am now very short of time. We can continue later though if you wish.

Firstly, you bet a horse on form, and your form is to slate the Robinson product, in the slyest of ways, in other threads, without ever coming right out and saying it. You even do the same again when you mention the R22 safety record in the context placed upon it with the use of your Smiley in your last post. Hence why you received it with the ‘gloves off’ from me before. My lost reply contained links to some of your previous postings where this occurred, so please, a little less of the righteous indignation if you will. You’re not entitled by a long shot.

As to the fact you take umbrage to the way I informed you of the death of Schramm in a Helicycle, I can only apologise, I thought you would have known. It was rather headline news in the kit industry at the time. I see now from your public profile that you are a student pilot, so that would explain why you may have missed it. Apologies if you found my way of breaking it to you shocking or cruel. It was not meant with that intent. Let us move on.

With regards to the actual question you get round to asking (finally, as I wasn’t psychic enough to get it from the first post!) , why do I feel safe in an R22 and not, say, a Helicycle?

Okay, let’s have a look at it. When I looked at the Helicycle, what did I see? I see a machine designed by a well meaning man who had been allured into using a power plant that is totally unsuitable for the job – indeed, the US Military found the same when they tested it for that purpose 40+ years ago. I have faith in the US Military’s technical ability. Also, if you look at the design of its other components, I felt I could see factors which I simply wasn’t happy with. But hey, it’s a one man machine, and if I’m the type to err on the side of caution, then that’s my decision, and not yours. Go for it. My hind end will NOT be seated in one however.

The same goes for that other favourite also, the Rotorway. Not a hope. That’s again based on engineering decisions. Have a look at the amount of accidents of the type on the UK register. Even the approved test pilot has been known to put them back to kit form on first flight.

Now, with the R22, well, what can I say that others far more qualified than I haven’t? Nothing, that’s what. It is a machine that’s built to a good standard, its strong enough where it needs to be (and it is. Very. Ever seen the Aussie mustering boys throw it around?), has few vices and can go between major services without ever seeing a spanner. Although, if your of malicious intent when it comes to paperwork, that can also contribute to bent machines. That all on board, in summary, is a good helicopter. Seems that’s the view with the rest of the world as well. He’s sold a few has Frank. The problems your thinking of came when it was new, and newish, because people simply didn’t understand its limitations – it doesn’t have much Rotor inertia, and it doesn’t do neg G. Hence why people thought they could treat it like they treated other helicopters (that were 5 times the price and maintenance, usually provided during military service where they learned to fly) and got bitten, Badly. Sadly, some people continue to be bitten because they keep making the same mistakes. As I once read in a piece written by Sir (as far as I’m concerned anyways) John Farley, ‘there are no new ways to kill yourself in aviation’. He sure could have been talking about the ‘22 in that context, you can bet on that. If you are still a student pilot HF, may I recommend the Helicopter Concepts DVD; as well as being of excellent content of subject matter, they also show the figures on R22 accidents. Basically, the vast majority of accidents are down to people getting it wrong, not the machine. Sadly though, it’s almost always the machine that gets the stick. My opinion is, especially when you look at the accidents breakdown, is that people get either to familiar and ask it to go outside its design envelope, or a sheer lack of currency on the airframe bites them. Fact is, it’s cheaper to die than to spend money with an instructor every 6 months for a pair of hours getting a thorough beasting to see if your still as good as you think you are. I’ll go the expensive route with the instructor, at least then I know I’m capable. My ego can more than take it.

In short HF, I’d fly an R22 all day, no worries. I trust it, and I know its limitations, and that’s what makes a happy marriage.

Moving on to your point on ‘designers not flying what they create’, so what? That’s an absolute non point if ever there was. Designers design, Professional Pilots fly. I spent long enough in the Nuclear Industry working with designers who had never even been near a live plant, but why should they, that was my job? They draw it, I fix it. End of story. Worked well enough. Yet to see an unscheduled sunrise on anything I had my hands on!

Hope all that answers your questions of me HF, and as you sound like a man who is talking himself into a Helicycle, then sincerely, good luck, I hope it works out for you. Be a dry old world were we all the same.