Hiller Info
Sorry to have come on to the site so late in the day, and even more
sorry that you didn't come to Vanguard Helicopters Ltd to illicit
accurate information initially. Thanks for all the kind comments.
Yes, we are, amongst 44's and Jet Rangers, maintaining a privately
owned Hiller 12 A/C, and have recently completed a skids upwards
rebuild of another, originally operated by the Los Angeles Police
Department. It is pictured in Vertical Challenge, that wonderful
history about Hillers.
Hillers are 50's technology, but to be fair, 50's technology at it's
best. The opinion that they need constant maintenance, or are difficult
or heavy to fly, are all probably because of the years of
inappropriate or even illegal maintenance that they have suffered
historically. With that open architecture they are a magnet for a
cowboy with a spanner.
Over the past few years we have found innumerable engineering bad
practices in Hillers imported from the USA. Just to mention a few. A
playboy magazine rolled up inside a "flying" Hiller tail boom which had
been used as a mould onto which an inappropriate and illegal filler had
been applied. Whoever did it forgot to retrieve his playboy. An
armoured fuel pipe, plumbing an auxilliary fuel tank, but with no inner
lining. Forks on the main rotor blades which were not a matching pair,
neither visual nor weight. Totally inappropriate and illegal bolts.
Tail rotor control wires snagged during fitting, against the metal seat
supports under the seats and therefore invisible to inspection, with
serious chaffing. Not to mention an array of home made alterations and
repairs to both the mechanical and electrical systems. STC's seem to be
a flexible feast in the USA.
So it is no wonder that these shoddy practices have resulted in poor
flying characteristics. But, what does it say for Hiller safety? They
must be extremely safe and forgiving, and capable of being flown when
most other helicopters would have failed.
If you want to talk Hiller, or any other helicopter maintenance come to
that, why don't you call us and visit. We'll be happy to tell you the
facts.
We don't know of any helicopter that you can safely maintain "on the
cheap", Hiller is no exception. Get the work done properly and
according to the manual, and Hiller is still a good private helicopter
which should give years of fantastic flying. And what a looker !!
If you are thinking of buying one and need a survey, call us.
Have a look at our web site and also helihiller.com which is an under
used, but very useful Hiller forum.
Bob West.