A specific question about handling... EC120 pilots perhaps?
I wonder whether someone might help me with a very specific question...
I gave up rotary flying a few years ago, largely because I stopped enjoying it. Analysing why, I concluded that the large-amplitude cyclic inputs required on the 206 (which I was flying) made flying it a lot less intuitive than I would have liked (especially from my perspective as a died-in-the-wool fixed-wing pilot).
All was well and I returned to the plank world.
...until, a little while ago, when I flew a Gazelle. The controls were the absolute antithesis of the 206's, and I felt completely connected to the machine in a way which I hadn't in the 206. This was reflected in the smooth and accurate results of my somewhat rusty piloting; very satisfying.
However, being either permit machines or on foreign registers, at least in the UK, they are not legitimately available for hire.
So, my question: which single turbine helicopter (no pistons please) comes closest to the Gazelle in terms of control input versus response? I've heard good things about the EC120; does it compare well? I'm thinking about machines which can be flown, wrist immobile on the leg, small inputs with the fingertips being adequate for all but the most dynamic manoeuvres...
(By the way, I do acknowledge that the 206 is a great helicopter. This is not a 206-bashing post. It's just that the 206 is not for me, thanks).