R66
Soave Pilot, hooray. A post about a subject where someone has actual knowledge of what he is saying...all too rare sometimes on prune.
I too am making a decision on what to buy next, having flown a 44 for the last few years, I am a fan (yes, I actually fly one, not just make comments), and I have flown the 66 for about 6 - 7 hours - enough to make a proper judgement.
I need to buy a two blade machine, as my hangar can only fit that sort of aircraft. So it's either (new) a R66 or a Longranger IV, and yes, before someone states the obvious, they are entirely different machines. And a Longy is 2.5 x as much to buy ! Plus you can't talk to the PAX eye to eye).
A moment of clarity though if I may...comparing a 40 + year old designed Jetranger to a R66 is just not on. They are completely different machines, with vastly different performance. A 66 will cruise at 120 knots, more if you want to get somewhere fast, a Jetty will do 100 (maybe 110) knots. Tail rotor authority on the Jetty is not so great, the 66 is fantastic (even with the big tail). I have had 5 adults, 3/4 fuel in a 66 and it will OGE hover no problem...excuse me, but a Jetty simply will not do that. 4 adults, lots of bags and a 66 will go straight up - a Jetty, no it won't.
Again, a study of the facts (as rightly pointed out above) will put to rest a lot of the rubbish that is said about the 66 (and indeed the 44).
We all want knowledge, let's just try to stay with the facts.
PS - I still haven't made up my mind, but flying the 66 is really good, solid, fast, reliable, NEW design and much less than a Jetty was when you could buy them new !
PPS - a NEW (design) 206 from Bell at (say) 1.2 meg, with a new motor etc would be a welcome addition to my list of choices, but not a 2nd hand machine.
Arrrj