Bell versus others
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Gold Coast, Queensland
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Oz Mate
I started flying the 350 in 1984 for 6 years and started again in 1999, in between you're right I only had a few rides. The point I make is that I have only flown the original version for about 2000 hours in which time I am not aware of any pilot in either company having a hydraulic problem.
I have only flown the 350 with an Ariel engine; I believe most in Canada have different engines, does that make a difference?
You would expect the original Mk 1 machine to have teething problems but we didn't, hence my surprise at 407's experience.
For example I flew the 206A in PNG in 1967/8 when they were having tail boom problems. On one occasion after shuting down on the drill ship, I mentioned to the engineer the TR felt a bit rough. 5 minutes later he got me to look at the studs holding the boom on and when he pushed sideways on the tail, a large crack was clearful visable across all the studs. I believe a few booms dropped off in Canada but naturally Bell got the problem fixed.
Am I right in thinking that when you switch off the hydraulics, that sometimes the accumlators go off at different rates? That's a new one on me.
I started flying the 350 in 1984 for 6 years and started again in 1999, in between you're right I only had a few rides. The point I make is that I have only flown the original version for about 2000 hours in which time I am not aware of any pilot in either company having a hydraulic problem.
I have only flown the 350 with an Ariel engine; I believe most in Canada have different engines, does that make a difference?
You would expect the original Mk 1 machine to have teething problems but we didn't, hence my surprise at 407's experience.
For example I flew the 206A in PNG in 1967/8 when they were having tail boom problems. On one occasion after shuting down on the drill ship, I mentioned to the engineer the TR felt a bit rough. 5 minutes later he got me to look at the studs holding the boom on and when he pushed sideways on the tail, a large crack was clearful visable across all the studs. I believe a few booms dropped off in Canada but naturally Bell got the problem fixed.
Am I right in thinking that when you switch off the hydraulics, that sometimes the accumlators go off at different rates? That's a new one on me.
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Chilliwack, BC Canada
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Nigel, All of my time is on Ariel engines. There were a lot of Lycoming powered D models in Canada once, but after crashing most, the rest were converted to B's, etc.
Dynamic, An Ontario Government B2 went in inverted and killed all on board about 2 winters ago, a "loss of control" issue related to HYD's is the reported cause. Another incident of control loss was noted this winter, hence the AD's, etc in Canada.
I agree with you on the electrical glitch, it could cause the "hard-over" situation if one accumulator dumps before the rest.
FYI, the Astar can shed a tail-boom too, there was one 10,000 hr aircraft that I know of (a BA, C-FBBX) that was found to have a crack radiating around approx 200 degrees of the boom near the A/F mount.... failure was iminent...hence the new AD on the boom mounts. Good old BBX has since gone to a watery grave, waterbucketing accident...pilot induced !
I have found the French accident and incident database...
For those of you interested ... BEA
Dynamic, An Ontario Government B2 went in inverted and killed all on board about 2 winters ago, a "loss of control" issue related to HYD's is the reported cause. Another incident of control loss was noted this winter, hence the AD's, etc in Canada.
I agree with you on the electrical glitch, it could cause the "hard-over" situation if one accumulator dumps before the rest.
FYI, the Astar can shed a tail-boom too, there was one 10,000 hr aircraft that I know of (a BA, C-FBBX) that was found to have a crack radiating around approx 200 degrees of the boom near the A/F mount.... failure was iminent...hence the new AD on the boom mounts. Good old BBX has since gone to a watery grave, waterbucketing accident...pilot induced !
I have found the French accident and incident database...
For those of you interested ... BEA
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Foat Wurf
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Silver Tongued Flight Nurse Guru Out at Bell!
Old Man Rotor,
I remember you posting this a few years back and the fellows over at Bell (or that used to be at Bell) loved it! It was the stuff of legends!
"Now address the immediate replacement of that idiot “Flight Nurse” Guru in charge of “Sales” [or lack of sales!!]. Prospective buyers wish to talk with seasoned and knowledgeable “experts” when investing their money. Not Silver-tongued upstarts, that are plainly unsuccessful."
http://www.shephard.co.uk/Search.asp...ction=Rotorhub
Well, the silver-tongued flight nurse guru ran off most of his Marketing team, and p*ssed off or lied to enough people, that he was ultimately passed by for a VP slot at Bell. He got his knickers in a twist and joined Med Trans here in Texas. Too bad he's still so close to home!
The Bell folks were glad to see him go - well except maybe for the chaps who left his "leadership" to join Eurocopter.
Good riddance!
Just thought I'd give you an update.
CC
I remember you posting this a few years back and the fellows over at Bell (or that used to be at Bell) loved it! It was the stuff of legends!
"Now address the immediate replacement of that idiot “Flight Nurse” Guru in charge of “Sales” [or lack of sales!!]. Prospective buyers wish to talk with seasoned and knowledgeable “experts” when investing their money. Not Silver-tongued upstarts, that are plainly unsuccessful."
http://www.shephard.co.uk/Search.asp...ction=Rotorhub
Well, the silver-tongued flight nurse guru ran off most of his Marketing team, and p*ssed off or lied to enough people, that he was ultimately passed by for a VP slot at Bell. He got his knickers in a twist and joined Med Trans here in Texas. Too bad he's still so close to home!
The Bell folks were glad to see him go - well except maybe for the chaps who left his "leadership" to join Eurocopter.
Good riddance!Just thought I'd give you an update.
CC
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Greater Dubach Metro Area
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That grass ain't greener, son ...
That's astroturf! 
I wonder who he listed for his references. I was always told it wasn't right to list your parents or your spouse!
ChopperCopter ... whomever you are, send me a PM!
Tompkins
I wonder who he listed for his references. I was always told it wasn't right to list your parents or your spouse!
ChopperCopter ... whomever you are, send me a PM!
Tompkins
Last edited by andTompkins; 7th Nov 2007 at 14:33.
