Mav
You asked
was wondering if in the OH6A or 500C models if the C18 works ok or is one best to look for a C20
and most people I know would recommend the C20.
Its not because the OH6 can't fly on an 18, it can but you asked
or is one best to look for a C20
and to which I would say it is best to look for a C20.
The C20 will give you just that little extra power (the OH6A was under-powered to begin with) and which is an important safety factor.
A lot of private flyers dont have heaps of flight time and running around in a limited power helo always has the potential to court danger.
You might tell yourself you'll use it as a two-person ship (great) but the day will come one day one time when you've landed in your friend's back yard and a couple of people plead with you to ride in the back and you tell yourself 'just this once'. By the time you're four up and staring at the tree tops (above you) with limited power reserves and a downdraft comes and takes what you've got left - it will be too late to be thinking about C20s!
I've said this to countless friends over the years and I'll say it again. If you don't have enough money to fly rite, don't fly at all!
That may sound a bit harsh but here's the deal, in aviation when money is an issue - safety often gets compromised and that just doesn't 'fly' in the aviation game!
Having said this - you can operate an OH6 with a C18 (if you're real careful about what you do and real disciplined also) but, a C20 is better.
High skids are an easy mod for the OH6/C model.
HM