Fixed Turbine = Alouette iii and free turbine = Bell 206 Jetranger.
Fuel Consumption, ALO 3 = horrendous as engine always at 33 500 rpm, Jetranger = much better as power output pretty much equal to whats required.
Power demand Response time ALO 3 = Awesome, as in pull on lever hand it to engineer and tell him to keep it there, not even a beat from the engine.
Jetranger you have to think a little ahead as in the gas producer has to produce before you can use. Dont autorotate which allows the engine to roll back to idle and then expect to be able to pull power without first pulling a little just to warn the engine...however the new electronically governed engines do it almost as well.
Both fun and do their jobs as designed, mountain flying/ rescue work = fixed turbine. Taking the boss`s wife to lunch, traffic patrol etc free turbine
Ruggedness, fixed turbine any day for the milspec guys and girls. Only way to stop it is to disconnect the fuel line.
Last edited by groundfloor; 21st March 2008 at 13:11.
Reason: spelling