Gazelle: Flying, operating, buying
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: London
Posts: 2,916
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
NigD
If you like Gazelles, and your rotary travels bring take you anywhere near Stapleford, you'll see some beautiful examples at MW Helicopters - only a few minutes walk from the Tower.
MW maintain most of the Gazelles in the UK, so there are always a few around. The way they completely transform old and/or ex-mil Gazelles has to be seen to be believed. The one I fly (sadly not mine) is Aston Martin metallic green, cream magnolia hide etc.
Buying one may not fit too well with saving up to do your CPL, but looking (and drooling) is free!
There are usually some A109s and Twin Squirrels in for checks if you like those.
If you like Gazelles, and your rotary travels bring take you anywhere near Stapleford, you'll see some beautiful examples at MW Helicopters - only a few minutes walk from the Tower.
MW maintain most of the Gazelles in the UK, so there are always a few around. The way they completely transform old and/or ex-mil Gazelles has to be seen to be believed. The one I fly (sadly not mine) is Aston Martin metallic green, cream magnolia hide etc.
Buying one may not fit too well with saving up to do your CPL, but looking (and drooling) is free!
There are usually some A109s and Twin Squirrels in for checks if you like those.
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: London
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
HA-PPY Gazelle
Hi all.
Has anyone come across a black and yellow Gazelle with the registration, HA-PPY?
It is registered in Hungary and has been based in the UK since at least early 1999.
If anyone has seen it, or knows' anything about it, i.e, the pilot please reply to this post.
Has anyone come across a black and yellow Gazelle with the registration, HA-PPY?
It is registered in Hungary and has been based in the UK since at least early 1999.
If anyone has seen it, or knows' anything about it, i.e, the pilot please reply to this post.
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Europe
Age: 56
Posts: 409
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Flying Gazelles
I am interested in getting a Gazelle rating.
Can anyone let me know where, if anywhere in the midlands/northwest England can I find an aircraft to train on?
Also what are the hourly costs of flying one?
Thanks for your help.
Can anyone let me know where, if anywhere in the midlands/northwest England can I find an aircraft to train on?
Also what are the hourly costs of flying one?
Thanks for your help.
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: London
Posts: 2,916
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Unless anybody from the Midlands/NorthWest responds with a better idea, I suggest you contact either Martin Woods at MW Helicopters (01708 688115) or Capt Al Gwilt at Excel Charter (01708 688110)
Although MW Helicopters is based at Stapleford, they supply/maintain virtually all the Gazelles in the UK. Martin Woods will be able to tell you if there any in your area used for training.
Al Gwilt (ex AAC Display pilot) is a Gazelle Instructor, CAA Examiner, and still flies Gazelles in the TA. I'd strongly recommend him. If that's not practical, I'm sure he could recommend someone nearer to you.
It's obviously personal choice, but I think quality training is much more important in the long-term than short-term convenience. You could do it all in a couple of days if the wx is good, and one night's B&B won't cost a fortune near Stapleford.
Hourly costs?
Usually a little more than a B206. Not cheap - but worth every penny! The Gazelle is a superb helicopter.
Good Luck, whichever route you take to your rating.
Although MW Helicopters is based at Stapleford, they supply/maintain virtually all the Gazelles in the UK. Martin Woods will be able to tell you if there any in your area used for training.
Al Gwilt (ex AAC Display pilot) is a Gazelle Instructor, CAA Examiner, and still flies Gazelles in the TA. I'd strongly recommend him. If that's not practical, I'm sure he could recommend someone nearer to you.
It's obviously personal choice, but I think quality training is much more important in the long-term than short-term convenience. You could do it all in a couple of days if the wx is good, and one night's B&B won't cost a fortune near Stapleford.
Hourly costs?
Usually a little more than a B206. Not cheap - but worth every penny! The Gazelle is a superb helicopter.
Good Luck, whichever route you take to your rating.
Last edited by Flying Lawyer; 7th Jun 2002 at 13:09.
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Europe
Age: 56
Posts: 409
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Just the ticket.
Thanks FL, all the info I need there.
I have no problem with going further afield but was just trying to see if there was the opportunity close by.
I will probably take a week off and do it all in one go.
I have heard so much about what a dream this aircraft is to fly I thought I may as well go and see for myself.
I beleive you have a few hours in it?
Thanks again
I have no problem with going further afield but was just trying to see if there was the opportunity close by.
I will probably take a week off and do it all in one go.
I have heard so much about what a dream this aircraft is to fly I thought I may as well go and see for myself.
I beleive you have a few hours in it?
Thanks again
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: South of the North Pole
Posts: 472
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
UK ex-military Gazelle flood alert
London Helicopter Centres at Redhill have just registered THIRTEEN ex military Gazelles onto the G- register (go check G-CBSA to CBSK on the CAA's G-INFO register site if you are sceptical!). Obviously no triskaidekaphobics at Redhill then...
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: UK
Posts: 53
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Ex-military Gazelles
I believe that these ex-military Gazelles were not sold at public auction but were sold to a "MOD disposal company." If this is correct, does anyone know why?
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Caribbean
Posts: 171
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
All ex military airframes are normally sold via designated disposal companies.
It was only recently that certain airframes (Bulldog's, Gazelles etc) were sold via auction so the MoD could realise premium prices for them. Now the public is deemed to have given up paying premium prices, the airframes are being sold at fixed prices.
I believe that the Gazelles in question were purchased over a year ago.
It was only recently that certain airframes (Bulldog's, Gazelles etc) were sold via auction so the MoD could realise premium prices for them. Now the public is deemed to have given up paying premium prices, the airframes are being sold at fixed prices.
I believe that the Gazelles in question were purchased over a year ago.
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Wokingham, Berks
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
These Gazelles will be on the market when the permits to fly are obtained. They have some of the ex Navy Sharks display team helicopters which look really great. I was allowed 5 minutes flying one on my flight and the SAS system and IPS made it great for me as a fairly new fixed wing pilot to fly. I am trying to write my first ever article for a magazine on these and why people want one and how they are going to use them, if you don't mind would you get in contact about it. If not, enjoy the helicopter - it was great fun!
Last edited by Heliport; 25th Jun 2002 at 20:09.
PPheli: the november (?) 2001 issue of "PILOT" has a write up on civvy Gazelles. South West Aviation was the company I believe.
Don't buy ZA 485 It's been barrell rolled and too may EOL's
Don't buy ZA 485 It's been barrell rolled and too may EOL's
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: 48 Deg South
Posts: 764
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
There is an operator here downunder, Bruce O'Malley (same one that had a Wessex crash on logging and kill the pilot last year) that has a couple already in Kiwiland and trying to flog them off. He also has another Wessex or two here.
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: New York City
Posts: 820
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Is the Gazele safe in civvy hands?
Genuine question, I'm not about to do a Lu Zuckermann here.
Don't see many Gazeles in the US but I've alwasy thought it was a hot helo, maybe cause all the ex British mil pilots I've ever met told me it is.
But reading through some old threads on rotorheads, the Gazelles sold off by your mil haven't done too well in private hands. Two have them have been crashed, one at Hicksteed and one this past weekend. No fatals, but 2 in a short time.
Whatsup?
Don't see many Gazeles in the US but I've alwasy thought it was a hot helo, maybe cause all the ex British mil pilots I've ever met told me it is.
But reading through some old threads on rotorheads, the Gazelles sold off by your mil haven't done too well in private hands. Two have them have been crashed, one at Hicksteed and one this past weekend. No fatals, but 2 in a short time.Whatsup?
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Devon
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Interesting thought Bronx; I've only got 100 hours Gazelle time on a 200 hour total time in helos.
My experience is that the Gazelle is beautifully behaved, a delight to fly and certainly in the probably boring envelope that I fly in hasn't yet shown up a serious vice.
My own machine is a civilian C of A and has a slightly different engine from the millitary version.
In my few hours, I've flown about 20 on an ex mil (Swaziland reg before the CAA grounded us) and I can't say I can tell the difference. On the plus side, the mil machines had SAS and stick feel which was very nice.
I don't know why there have been these problems with the ex mil Gazelles; it would certainly be interesting to find out.
My experience is that the Gazelle is beautifully behaved, a delight to fly and certainly in the probably boring envelope that I fly in hasn't yet shown up a serious vice.
My own machine is a civilian C of A and has a slightly different engine from the millitary version.
In my few hours, I've flown about 20 on an ex mil (Swaziland reg before the CAA grounded us) and I can't say I can tell the difference. On the plus side, the mil machines had SAS and stick feel which was very nice.
I don't know why there have been these problems with the ex mil Gazelles; it would certainly be interesting to find out.