Rotorway Corner
may God forgive me!
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: UK
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Mr Shuftlebottom,
I am a fan of Enstroms but I am not sure I would recommend that one, I looked at it 10 years ago with more hours on it than it has now! Arthur Daley still survives
Air Accidents Investigation: Enstrom 280C Shark, G-COLL
I am a fan of Enstroms but I am not sure I would recommend that one, I looked at it 10 years ago with more hours on it than it has now! Arthur Daley still survives
Air Accidents Investigation: Enstrom 280C Shark, G-COLL
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: london
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Bringing the thread back online 
...I own a beaut Russell, I don't want to sell it, I love it, but I would sell it for the right money....though my experience of folks with "cash waiting" means 'kick in the nuts' money waiting for anyone desperate to sell...
Personally I prefer the fuel injected 162f, but G-BVOY is a pretty Exec 90, and I believe Exec G-SFOX is now for sale, and maybe Exec G-BVTV too...PM me for the owner's email if you like...
...I own a beaut Russell, I don't want to sell it, I love it, but I would sell it for the right money....though my experience of folks with "cash waiting" means 'kick in the nuts' money waiting for anyone desperate to sell...Personally I prefer the fuel injected 162f, but G-BVOY is a pretty Exec 90, and I believe Exec G-SFOX is now for sale, and maybe Exec G-BVTV too...PM me for the owner's email if you like...
Last edited by parasite drag; 18th Jul 2013 at 20:21.
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Aberdare, Wales
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That looks amazing PD! 
Are there many Rotorways in the UK?
Do mind telling how handles when you autoroate, is it very good at that? Can you do it to the ground safely in practice?
Also it is normal to fly it from the left side?
Are there many Rotorways in the UK?
Do mind telling how handles when you autoroate, is it very good at that? Can you do it to the ground safely in practice?
Also it is normal to fly it from the left side?
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: cheshire
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Helicopter Mover
I could do with a mover of some kind to move an Exec 90 across from the landing area in the field over to the hangar across the grass area which is a little sodden at the moment the rear moving wheels wont be sufficient on their own just wondering if anybody had made one before that will fit over the front skids and can be attached to a trolly with a towing ball on it ?
any suggestions or photos would be much apreciated
Thanks
any suggestions or photos would be much apreciated
Thanks
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Vancouver
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R22 vs rotor way
Hi Ron,
Thanks for this excellent report and all your work you have put in it.
I am a long time commercial helicopter and fixed wing pilot with 12 000 hours and I am now retired.
I had an infatuation with the Rotorway helicopters for a long time but I was so financially and otherwise diversified (sailboat offshore cruising) that owning or building a helicopter was really never an issue. It still actually isn't.
There is a fellow who has bought an unfinished kit recently, so I may yet get my hands on one.
I have flown the Bell 47, the Hughes 500 C and D models, the Bell 206 and the Bell 212, and the Sikorsky S-76A. I used to instruct on the 212 and the S-76 and I feel that I have the required tender touch to still fly a small helicopter? I am now 67 years old and feel that I am still quite capable of doing stupid things.
I presently own and fly a pristine 1976 Cessna 150 and I really enjoy it.
I have not told you this for any reason other than that I liked your letter and that I feel that you are a kindred soul.
Good luck with whatever you end up doing. Best regards,
Joe Hessberger
Thanks for this excellent report and all your work you have put in it.
I am a long time commercial helicopter and fixed wing pilot with 12 000 hours and I am now retired.
I had an infatuation with the Rotorway helicopters for a long time but I was so financially and otherwise diversified (sailboat offshore cruising) that owning or building a helicopter was really never an issue. It still actually isn't.
There is a fellow who has bought an unfinished kit recently, so I may yet get my hands on one.
I have flown the Bell 47, the Hughes 500 C and D models, the Bell 206 and the Bell 212, and the Sikorsky S-76A. I used to instruct on the 212 and the S-76 and I feel that I have the required tender touch to still fly a small helicopter? I am now 67 years old and feel that I am still quite capable of doing stupid things.
I presently own and fly a pristine 1976 Cessna 150 and I really enjoy it.
I have not told you this for any reason other than that I liked your letter and that I feel that you are a kindred soul.
Good luck with whatever you end up doing. Best regards,
Joe Hessberger
Join Date: Sep 2007
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Heli mover
I use a home made skid mounted tow frame.
It was fairly smile to make and I can either use it manually or it also attaches to a small grass tractor to help when pulling it up the farm yard!
If you PM me I should be able to send a couple of pics of it in use.
Cheers,
John
It was fairly smile to make and I can either use it manually or it also attaches to a small grass tractor to help when pulling it up the farm yard!
If you PM me I should be able to send a couple of pics of it in use.
Cheers,
John
Join Date: Feb 2006
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Rotorway 162F
I expect this question has been asked before but what do the sage pilots of Pprune think of the Rotorway 162F?
I have previously owned Hughes 300 A & C models and a couple of R22 Beta II's and am considering a 162F as a low cost machine.
Flak jacket on and ready for incoming.
Particularly interested in hearing from people who have done some longer trips in one as I don't just want to do local flights.
Thanks
I have previously owned Hughes 300 A & C models and a couple of R22 Beta II's and am considering a 162F as a low cost machine.
Flak jacket on and ready for incoming.
Particularly interested in hearing from people who have done some longer trips in one as I don't just want to do local flights.
Thanks
162f
I too have had R22’s, R44 and Enstrom’s. The Rotorway is a huge disappointment from its poor engine to its flimsy doors. I really wish it was better as I now no longer fly due to the costs. People slag off the rubber band tail rotor system but to be honest it’s fine as long as it’s tensioned correctly. The blades don’t have a chord in them so I found myself flying in a rather strange up and down motion albeit slight. Electricity is like fuel on the Rotorway, run out and the donkey quits and the new cog system is much better than the old chain and oil. I heard that many conflicting reports that I went and flew one myself. The people at Southern Helicopters are really accommodating and to be honest that’s the best thing to do. You’ll also nite that you don’t see many with huge hours and you have to ask yourself why. It’s a great pity it’s not better as it does tick a lot of boxes. I hope you get sorted one way or another👍🏻👍🏻
Resurrecting this old thread. What's the experts qualified opinion on the current Rotorway A600 with the shaft driven tail rotor and perhaps the optional turbo?
The post above says the 162's engine was poor. Maybe that's no longer the case on the A600? Maybe even the normally aspirated one is adequate for ops around relatively low terrain?
I'm not worried about flimsy doors on a light kit helicopter. The electricity comment is interesting. I will research what exactly the deal is here. I suspect if electricity is essential for the engines (FADEC) then they might have something like a permanent magnetic alternator, PMA. Or at least a back up battery?
I wonder if the comment regarding the blades in the above post is still relevant?
I'm looking for anyone who has reliable info. Does not have to be first hand, but should be more than just rumors or opinion based on "I would never fly a kit helicopter".
This is the machine I'm talking about. https://www.rotorway.com/a600/
Nice video of it practicing autos.
I'm not (yet) a helicopter pilot. Just a middle aged former airline pilot and current biz jet captain. Would love the challenge of building and flying my own helicopter. Would get factory training in Arizona, as I have friends there.
Thanks
The post above says the 162's engine was poor. Maybe that's no longer the case on the A600? Maybe even the normally aspirated one is adequate for ops around relatively low terrain?
I'm not worried about flimsy doors on a light kit helicopter. The electricity comment is interesting. I will research what exactly the deal is here. I suspect if electricity is essential for the engines (FADEC) then they might have something like a permanent magnetic alternator, PMA. Or at least a back up battery?
I wonder if the comment regarding the blades in the above post is still relevant?
I'm looking for anyone who has reliable info. Does not have to be first hand, but should be more than just rumors or opinion based on "I would never fly a kit helicopter".
This is the machine I'm talking about. https://www.rotorway.com/a600/
Nice video of it practicing autos.
I'm not (yet) a helicopter pilot. Just a middle aged former airline pilot and current biz jet captain. Would love the challenge of building and flying my own helicopter. Would get factory training in Arizona, as I have friends there.
Thanks
Last edited by 733driver; 5th Nov 2020 at 18:27.
Resurrecting this old thread. What's the experts qualified opinion on the current Rotorway A600 with the shaft driven tail rotor and perhaps the optional turbo?
The post above says the 162's engine was poor. Maybe that's no longer the case on the A600? Maybe even the normally aspirated one is adequate for ops around relatively low terrain?
I'm not worried about flimsy doors on a light kit helicopter. The electricity comment is interesting. I will research what exactly the deal is here. I suspect if electricity is essential fp rtes engines (FADEC) then they might have something like a permanent magnetic alternator, PMA. Or at least a back up battery?
I wonder if the comment regarding the blades in the above post is still relevant?
I'm looking for anyone who has reliable info. Does not have to be first hand, but should be more than just rumors or opinion based on "I would never fly a kit helicopter".
This is the machine I'm talking about. https://www.rotorway.com/a600/
Nice video of it practicing autos. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mgdCQUsMRV4&t=473s
I'm not (yet) a helicopter pilot. Just a middle aged former airline pilot and current biz jet captain. Would love the challenge of building and flying my own helicopter. Would get factory training in Arizona, as I have friends there.
Thanks
The post above says the 162's engine was poor. Maybe that's no longer the case on the A600? Maybe even the normally aspirated one is adequate for ops around relatively low terrain?
I'm not worried about flimsy doors on a light kit helicopter. The electricity comment is interesting. I will research what exactly the deal is here. I suspect if electricity is essential fp rtes engines (FADEC) then they might have something like a permanent magnetic alternator, PMA. Or at least a back up battery?
I wonder if the comment regarding the blades in the above post is still relevant?
I'm looking for anyone who has reliable info. Does not have to be first hand, but should be more than just rumors or opinion based on "I would never fly a kit helicopter".
This is the machine I'm talking about. https://www.rotorway.com/a600/
Nice video of it practicing autos. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mgdCQUsMRV4&t=473s
I'm not (yet) a helicopter pilot. Just a middle aged former airline pilot and current biz jet captain. Would love the challenge of building and flying my own helicopter. Would get factory training in Arizona, as I have friends there.
Thanks
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Wichita, KS
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Please consider the Safari. Lycoming engine, steel roll cage several with high time (1000s of hours). The original is not pretty but flys well, the new one is a pretty body in the same airframe. I built mine in 500 hours. I also own an Enstrom 480B. You will never confuse the two, but I still fly the Safari quite a bit.
Some owners love the rotorway but many more sell them with 50 hours. I know several guys that have owned multiple Safaris, they just keep coming back to them. Safari has relocated to Tennessee and has some new ownership. They are moving forward with certification. We will have to wait to see how that goes.
bill
Some owners love the rotorway but many more sell them with 50 hours. I know several guys that have owned multiple Safaris, they just keep coming back to them. Safari has relocated to Tennessee and has some new ownership. They are moving forward with certification. We will have to wait to see how that goes.
bill
