Helio Courier
Grandpa Aerotart
Would that be the DO27 'Uncle' Brian crashed at Elambari, or one of the strips around Mt Elambari...the one that was just the other side of the Kaw Kaw Gap?
The God Squad still had Helio Couriers at Sentani in the late 90s...immaculate examples...fitted with a 'rake brake' on the tail activated by pulling a lanyard in the cockpit...given the STOL performance of the HC250/300 I was given to assume it was an "Oooohhhh Feeeeccckkk!!!" last ditch 'Savior'
for ground lopping/loss of directional control when landing on a cliff edge strip rather than tear arsing off the end unable to stop. A rake brake is a grappling hook arrangement anchored into the tail by a stout cable...they ruin the aeroplane but if it's that or fall off a cliff I could see some advantages...having said that falling off a cliff in an aeroplane that will happily fly at < 30kts seems hardly a life ending event...we used to drive all manner of less capable aircraft off cliffs at less than 'flying speed'
For those interested in the Helio the full length LED were free floating and activated by the AoA exceeding a certain value that equated to 39 kts...they just popped out. If you look at the above picture you can see the enormous flaps leaving very little trailing edge span free for ailerons. Given the truly 'stoopid' low speeds the thing was routinely capable of Helio decided to augment the ailerons with roll spoilers...these were what made true STOL landing so sporting as PIO in roll on short finals tended to concentrate the mind wonderfully when experienced for the first time...or the 31st. The effect was that a small excursion in roll was corrected by a small application of the control wheel...which led to the complete destruction of lift in the last 2 feet of wing...which led to a bigger correction in the opposite sense..which led to...the overall effect was "Oh ****..Oh ****...oh ****...OF FEECCKK!!" for the last several hundred feet until you got used to it and devised work arounds...like never use full flaps or control small excursions in roll with the yaw/roll couple available from the rudder.
I only new of one person who had flown a Helio when Yorke asked me to test fly BOX after restoration...and he hadn't flown it in 20 years...Tony Gridley, Then a fellow Talair pilot based in Mt Hagen (from memory) now a respected F28 C&Ter at PX.
A quick phone call elicited the following advice..."well Chuckles all I can remember is that the slats pop out, with a loud bang, at 39kts and 6 turns of the flap crank in the ceiling is flaps 20 (there is no flap position indicator)...don't even think about using full flap until you have 40+hrs in her..(yes i ignored that bit...and discoverd the PIO stuff as a result
)...oh and don't hold it on the ground on takeoff after the tail is up or she'll look for new and interesting places to go..and take you too".
No POH seemed to exist so armed with the above advice I proceeded to discover the Helio's charms alone and then some time later teach the Farmer chap...sans brakes on the right hand peddles
On my first takeoff no airspeed was in evidence requiring a return to land to get the pitot system cleaned out...the advice about the leading edge slats was invaluable...a very loud bang on finals accompanied the slats extending and I remember thinking.."Oh that'd be 39 kts then"
It was wonderful fun
The God Squad still had Helio Couriers at Sentani in the late 90s...immaculate examples...fitted with a 'rake brake' on the tail activated by pulling a lanyard in the cockpit...given the STOL performance of the HC250/300 I was given to assume it was an "Oooohhhh Feeeeccckkk!!!" last ditch 'Savior'
for ground lopping/loss of directional control when landing on a cliff edge strip rather than tear arsing off the end unable to stop. A rake brake is a grappling hook arrangement anchored into the tail by a stout cable...they ruin the aeroplane but if it's that or fall off a cliff I could see some advantages...having said that falling off a cliff in an aeroplane that will happily fly at < 30kts seems hardly a life ending event...we used to drive all manner of less capable aircraft off cliffs at less than 'flying speed'For those interested in the Helio the full length LED were free floating and activated by the AoA exceeding a certain value that equated to 39 kts...they just popped out. If you look at the above picture you can see the enormous flaps leaving very little trailing edge span free for ailerons. Given the truly 'stoopid' low speeds the thing was routinely capable of Helio decided to augment the ailerons with roll spoilers...these were what made true STOL landing so sporting as PIO in roll on short finals tended to concentrate the mind wonderfully when experienced for the first time...or the 31st. The effect was that a small excursion in roll was corrected by a small application of the control wheel...which led to the complete destruction of lift in the last 2 feet of wing...which led to a bigger correction in the opposite sense..which led to...the overall effect was "Oh ****..Oh ****...oh ****...OF FEECCKK!!" for the last several hundred feet until you got used to it and devised work arounds...like never use full flaps or control small excursions in roll with the yaw/roll couple available from the rudder.
I only new of one person who had flown a Helio when Yorke asked me to test fly BOX after restoration...and he hadn't flown it in 20 years...Tony Gridley, Then a fellow Talair pilot based in Mt Hagen (from memory) now a respected F28 C&Ter at PX.
A quick phone call elicited the following advice..."well Chuckles all I can remember is that the slats pop out, with a loud bang, at 39kts and 6 turns of the flap crank in the ceiling is flaps 20 (there is no flap position indicator)...don't even think about using full flap until you have 40+hrs in her..(yes i ignored that bit...and discoverd the PIO stuff as a result
)...oh and don't hold it on the ground on takeoff after the tail is up or she'll look for new and interesting places to go..and take you too". No POH seemed to exist so armed with the above advice I proceeded to discover the Helio's charms alone and then some time later teach the Farmer chap...sans brakes on the right hand peddles
On my first takeoff no airspeed was in evidence requiring a return to land to get the pitot system cleaned out...the advice about the leading edge slats was invaluable...a very loud bang on finals accompanied the slats extending and I remember thinking.."Oh that'd be 39 kts then"
It was wonderful fun
Last edited by Chimbu chuckles; 19th Dec 2006 at 03:43.
Silly Old Git
The Tykes at Wewak had a few Dorniers - Archbishop Leo Arkfield used to fly one - but I'll bet you didn't know that at one stage,
Whenever the good Bishop was flying out of Wirui in either the C180 or the Dornier zer vass dis strong cherman akksent on zer wireless to Vevak ja!
He would use the same call sign for vicheffer plane he vass flyink.
The only way FS Wewak could figure out whether he was in the Dornier or the C 180 was the from the time intervals
The DO-27 had problems with the fuel injection,(?), and that caused many of the losses in PNG. The Anglican Mission had one in Madang around 1962/3, in which I travelled Kar Kar to Madang, - (didn't know about the engine then!). That same a/c was lost somewhere toward the upper Markham / Dumpu area, I think, about a year later with some survivors, but not the driver.
Helicopter Utilities had a Helio Courier,(270 or 295HP ?), in POM about 65/66, and it used to be flown by Herbie Ray, a well known LAME who had lost an arm, but had a strapon arrangement to fly the Courier. He also flew their C182 around that time too.
Would have dearly loved to try the Helio.
happy days,
Helicopter Utilities had a Helio Courier,(270 or 295HP ?), in POM about 65/66, and it used to be flown by Herbie Ray, a well known LAME who had lost an arm, but had a strapon arrangement to fly the Courier. He also flew their C182 around that time too.
Would have dearly loved to try the Helio.
happy days,
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Got a great set of pix of a Courier at YRED in 1998....bloke was doing the 'round Oz thing with the famly and kitchen sink on board. I'll see if I can dig em out and post them - just moved house so don't hold ya breath....
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DO 28 question
Torres:
I'm very interested in DO-28s, both the B model, and the D. (The latter has much more power, albeit allegedly less reliable due the the higher rpm & gearing, and more seats.) They come up for sale every now and then - maybe once a year, somewhere in the world - and I always have to sit on my hands to stop me buying one. If and when an affordable DO-28B comes up, I reckon I'll be unable to stop myself from taking the plunge - awesome STOL performance, very low VMC, and a taildragger to boot! Sounds like a lovely machine to me - so what, if you don't mind me asking, is wrong with them?
For the record, I too would love to have a go in a Helio. My current STOL mount is a Harmon Rocket, which does pretty well on short mountain strips - but the Helio would be a whole different ball of wax. Gotta love something that'll land in the low 30s!
I'm very interested in DO-28s, both the B model, and the D. (The latter has much more power, albeit allegedly less reliable due the the higher rpm & gearing, and more seats.) They come up for sale every now and then - maybe once a year, somewhere in the world - and I always have to sit on my hands to stop me buying one. If and when an affordable DO-28B comes up, I reckon I'll be unable to stop myself from taking the plunge - awesome STOL performance, very low VMC, and a taildragger to boot! Sounds like a lovely machine to me - so what, if you don't mind me asking, is wrong with them?
For the record, I too would love to have a go in a Helio. My current STOL mount is a Harmon Rocket, which does pretty well on short mountain strips - but the Helio would be a whole different ball of wax. Gotta love something that'll land in the low 30s!
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Slight rephrase for clarity
...and for prevention of pedantry...
the DO28D has more seats, and more power, although is is allegedly less reliable because...
Number of seats in an aircraft usually being unrelated to its reliability
the DO28D has more seats, and more power, although is is allegedly less reliable because...
Number of seats in an aircraft usually being unrelated to its reliability
Tinnie I think your memory may be failing............
Leo Arkfeld was a Yank, not a Kraut.
I recall seeing a DO-28 for sale in NZ a while back. It was not flying, but had (I think) arrived from Hawaii in a container.
Leo Arkfeld was a Yank, not a Kraut.
I recall seeing a DO-28 for sale in NZ a while back. It was not flying, but had (I think) arrived from Hawaii in a container.
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...flew the Helio for K2 Aviation out of Talkeetna.....made runs up to the 9and 14,000 ft levels(up the Kahiltna Clacier) droppng off climbers ,picking up sick ,injured,and dead ones,rubbish runs,photo shoots,sightseeing ,etc etc......best run we ever had was dropping off the girls for a playboy shoot.....some of you perverts might remember that edition.......boss wouldnt let us stay for the shoot ,but we all got autographed copies...bloody beautiful indeed
anyway ...the HC is probably one of the best workhorses you will ever fly....magnificent piece of equipment and fun to fly....class act and the same class as the single-engine otter with a PT6 in her.....PB
anyway ...the HC is probably one of the best workhorses you will ever fly....magnificent piece of equipment and fun to fly....class act and the same class as the single-engine otter with a PT6 in her.....PB
Silly Old Git
A Yank with a Kraut accent??
Legendärer Buschpilot
Wewag
Mit einem Staatsbegräbnis wurde am 28. August in Papua-Neuguinea der amerikanische Steyler- Missionar und Altbischof von Wewak,Leo Arkfeld, begraben. Als „fliegender Bischof“ war Arkfeld eine Legende, um den sich viele abenteuerliche Geschichten als Buschpilot rankten. Mit seinen Flugeinsätzen hat er viele Menschenleben gerettet und einen wichtigen Beitrag zur Entwicklung der unerschlossenen Region des Tieflandes geleistet. Österreich hat den fliegenden Bischof durch die MIVA, die Sternsinger und durch ÖED-Entwicklungshelfer unterstützt.
Granted he was born in Butte, Nebraska but have you heard those folks talk???
Legendärer Buschpilot
Wewag
Mit einem Staatsbegräbnis wurde am 28. August in Papua-Neuguinea der amerikanische Steyler- Missionar und Altbischof von Wewak,Leo Arkfeld, begraben. Als „fliegender Bischof“ war Arkfeld eine Legende, um den sich viele abenteuerliche Geschichten als Buschpilot rankten. Mit seinen Flugeinsätzen hat er viele Menschenleben gerettet und einen wichtigen Beitrag zur Entwicklung der unerschlossenen Region des Tieflandes geleistet. Österreich hat den fliegenden Bischof durch die MIVA, die Sternsinger und durch ÖED-Entwicklungshelfer unterstützt.
Granted he was born in Butte, Nebraska but have you heard those folks talk???
Last edited by tinpis; 19th Dec 2006 at 20:27.
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Legendary Bush Pilot
Wewak
With a country funeral, the American Steyler missionary and old bishop of Wewak, Leo Arkfeld was buried on 28 August in Papua New Guinea. As a "flying bishop", Arkfeld was a legend, with many adventurous stories as a bush pilot ??? (rankten = climbed??). As a pilot (?), he rescued/saved many human lives and performed an important contribution to the development of the unexplored region of the lowland. Austria ??? the flying bishop through the MIVA, that supports Sternsinger and through ÖED development???
Wewak
With a country funeral, the American Steyler missionary and old bishop of Wewak, Leo Arkfeld was buried on 28 August in Papua New Guinea. As a "flying bishop", Arkfeld was a legend, with many adventurous stories as a bush pilot ??? (rankten = climbed??). As a pilot (?), he rescued/saved many human lives and performed an important contribution to the development of the unexplored region of the lowland. Austria ??? the flying bishop through the MIVA, that supports Sternsinger and through ÖED development???
Silly Old Git
Well he sounded German on the radio..or maybe it were Double-Dutch ??
Trader would remember ...Trader you reading this??
Stop counting yer munny for a minute.
Trader would remember ...Trader you reading this??
Stop counting yer munny for a minute.
Raised on an Iowa farm, Arkfeld was ordained in 1943 in the Society of the Divine Word, the worldwide mission order founded in Germany in 1875. Five years later he was consecrated a bishop in Chicago, was assigned that same year to war-ravaged Wewak, where bombs and bullets had destroyed all of the society's mission houses and killed half of its priests, nuns and lay brothers. Tall (6 ft. 3 in.) Missionary Arkfeld lunged into the task of reconstruction, bought an English-made Civil Auster, then the first of three Cessnas, personally air-speeded material for the missions' rebuilding.
lostpianoplayer. I don't recall all the reasons why we lost intrest in the DO28 but I do remember we couldn't see the cost benefit of two engines versus payload, in a relatively slow tail dragger, at a time we were "blessed" with what became the world's largest fleet of Islanders, whilst we had our sights firmly set on turbine aircraft.
At the peak, Talair provided RPT services to 143 airports - largest scheduled airline network in the free world - flew 80,000 sectors per annum in 43,000 flying hours. PNG fleet peaked at 69 aircraft, although there was never a time the entire fleet was serviceable! Don't remember all the statistics, but we had 23 Islanders, 12 Bandits, 14 Twin Otters, 9 Cessna 402s and the rest were singles, C185, C206 and Porters. Cranky Frank turned out one engine overhaul per week, but even that was not enough and some engines were overhauled in Brisbane.
Experience tended to confirm the hairy Cat D and worse STOL operations were best left to the Missionaries in their small aircraft and fearless Divine guidance!
Last edited by Torres; 19th Dec 2006 at 21:40.
Silly Old Git
Torres now I is getting confuddled.
The Bishop was the guy flew in the pith helmet?And used the same rego for whatever aircraft he was in?
The German was father Heinie Hof or sumpin like that?
The Bishop was the guy flew in the pith helmet?And used the same rego for whatever aircraft he was in?
The German was father Heinie Hof or sumpin like that?
Geeze Tinnie, that so long ago I think I was wearing short pants then!! My brain has filtered a zillion SP Brownie and XXXX stubbies since then! 
I think Hienie met his maker between Madang and Hagen, must be almost 40 years ago. If memory serves me correctly, he had left the priesthood by then. I'll have to look it up.
I vaguely recall the flying Kraut priest in Wewak but can't remember his name. I think you are correct, Leo Arkfeld used to wear a pith helmet. Most of the Tyke pilots in Madang were Yanks.
I lived in PNG for 23 years - but it's 22 years since I left there!!
Ask Sharpie - he'd remember.
I think Hienie met his maker between Madang and Hagen, must be almost 40 years ago. If memory serves me correctly, he had left the priesthood by then. I'll have to look it up.
I vaguely recall the flying Kraut priest in Wewak but can't remember his name. I think you are correct, Leo Arkfeld used to wear a pith helmet. Most of the Tyke pilots in Madang were Yanks.
I lived in PNG for 23 years - but it's 22 years since I left there!!
Ask Sharpie - he'd remember.
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Here's some video of the Helio Courier that I took at Oshkosh in 1999.
Thought you might find it interesting.
http://www.fototime.com/9C56977EB23678C/conv.wmv
R
Thought you might find it interesting.
http://www.fototime.com/9C56977EB23678C/conv.wmv
R
Last edited by Ratshit; 26th Dec 2006 at 07:47.
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Oshkosh is so "in your face"! The whole time I was there I thought a prang was inevitable.
and I was right!
R