Where can I rent a Bell 47

[highexposure]

Having recently gained an FAA Private Helicopter Licence in the USA I am eager to continue flying back in good old Blighty. I am based in London and would appreciate any info regarding somewhere to hire a Bell 47 that won't involve driving half way across the country.
Can anyone help?

[ppheli]

London area - Alan Manns at Fairoaks www.alanmann.co.uk have resiliently defied the Robinsons, Schweizers and Enstroms and still have the 47 as their only piston offering. Funny how inactive their training school became then... ;)

I think Cabair may still have some leads on 47s www.cabair.com

Venturing further north Hields Aviation spring to mind www.heliadventure.co.uk but that could be "halfway across the country"?

[bellfest]

London area - Alan Manns at Fairoaks www.alanmann.co.uk have resiliently defied the Robinsons, Schweizers and Enstroms and still have the 47 as their only piston offering. Funny how inactive their training school became then...

What a shame. If you really want to teach someone how to fly then a 47 is the machine to do it in.

[Heliport]

Alan Mann ...... still have the 47 as their only piston offering. Funny how inactive their training school became then...

Their hourly rate for the B47 may have something to do with it.

[TheFlyingSquirrel]

highexposure - where did you get your FAA PPL ?

[FlightOops]

Having started my flying in a Bell 47 in Australia, they also have a special place in my heart - I guess it was watching too much "Skippy" as a kid !

Try FAST Helicopters, they have a Bell47 at their Thruxton, Hampshire base - it is a lovely example with the least amount of play in a 47 throttle I've ever experienced !!

http://www.fasthelicopters.com/public/The+Fleet/Bell+47+Photos/ImageViewer.aspx?image=159.jpg



G-CHOP


Safe and happy flying HighExposure

FO

[MD900 Explorer]

FlightOops

Would this be the same Bell 47 that had a bit of a prang not so long ago and was rebuilt? :E

MD :=

[XT244]

My B47-G3B1 based in Grenchen (Switzerland LSZG). :)

http://www.adpro-ltd.ch/bilder/hb-zbf
http://www.adpro-ltd.ch/bilder/20060316megeve

[MD900 Explorer]

XT244

Awesome pictures. Lovely example of a 47. :D

MD :ok:

[FlightOops]

MD900 - you probably know a bit about this, but I think you may be being a little unfair: Heavy landing required a replacement cross tube - no drama - not quite a rebuild. Quite enjoyed the tongue in cheek comment though.

XT244 - in which part of SE England is Grenchen ? Given that HighExposure is trying to avoid travelling half the country ! Some smashing photos though - looks like great fun - good effort.


This forum and fellow Prooners never fail to bring a smile to my face ! Is there some kind of secret handshake we should adopt ?

FO

[bellfest]

There wouldn't be too many around that have seen those views from a 47. My teeth were clattering just looking at them. Well done:ok:

[highexposure]

Thanks for the leads guys. I shall be checking those out.


Squirrell:
I was trained at Dutch Country Helicopters, operating out of Lancaster, Pennsylvania. A lovely place to fly, watching the Amish farmers ploughing fields with teams of 8 horses. My first trip after passing the checkride was to take my instructor for breakfast. We flew to a golf course with a runway running through the middle of it. People fly in with their clubs, have a round of golf and fly home again. How civillised. Now I just want to build hours so I can go back for my commercial ticket.

[TheFlyingSquirrel]

Hmmmm.....Amish breakfast ! I bet Tezza had you bringing in the Krispy Kremes every day too ?

[highexposure]

I may have indulged in the doughnut stakes once or twice. Just to keep the weight & balance within limits of course.

[MD900 Explorer]

FlightOops

From what i understand of the prang, was that the intructor, was demonstrating a manoevre in a four foot hover. Thinking the student was on the collective, when actually neither were, the 47 dropped the 4 feet and then bounced up and took a spin, before coming under control again, with skid damage.:D

But really, should you be making use of free advirtising, when you should know better about Pprunes advirtising rules. As you too work for the same company as the aforementioned instructor and the very same company that has the Bell 47. :=

highexposure

Sounds like you had a great start,over there in Pensylvania. But i should steer clear of that lovely institution that calls itself "FAST Helicopters". Seems there are a few double standards, one of which have been recently highlighted in another thread http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthread.php?t=224083 (This Link) recently. But then again, you should make your own mind up. :ugh:

Goodluck with your commercial training.

Regards

MD :oh:

[Darren999]

Squirrel..

You really didn't need those Krispy Kremes did you.....:=
But they were nice!! You never took me for lunch!!

[FlightOops]

Anonimity blown ! It wasn't advertising till you suggested it MD and certainly never intended it to be.

Just trying to help a fellow aviator - don't tar all with the same brush - there are some good guys trying to do the decent thing as well !!!

FO

[R22DRIVER]

mmmmmm you cant beat a warm krispy kreme doughnut!!!:ok: :E