The best type for heli-ski
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The Bell 205/212, by far the most popular, the most utilized, the most efficient ski aircraft in the world.
Sure a B3 has power, but how much money can you make with a guide plus 4 skiers? It works excellent on a very limited basis, given some extreme high altitudes, etc. Even the Bell 407 is used more in the ski industry than B3's...simply economics...that 5th paying seat creates more revenue. The largest Heli-Ski operator in the world chose 407's for that one simple reason.
Sure a B3 has power, but how much money can you make with a guide plus 4 skiers? It works excellent on a very limited basis, given some extreme high altitudes, etc. Even the Bell 407 is used more in the ski industry than B3's...simply economics...that 5th paying seat creates more revenue. The largest Heli-Ski operator in the world chose 407's for that one simple reason.
best helo for heli-ski ops
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Best Ski heli
Got to agree with 407 Driver. It makes business sense, but the B3 does a damn good job. Used all over the world.
Yes the Lama is good, but seems to be out dated with the new stuff thats coming in. Twins seem fav (i guess due to JAR)...etc. etc.. EC135/145 even the old Kawasaki BK-117 may even re-appear. (I have read John Eacott's outfit uses it in Aus).
We know what is used in Canada, but would be good to hear from the Swiss, French and Austrian pilots. I guess Eurocopter products are used there too, and the Bell products in the US and Canada.. Down under in NZ and Aus..whats going on?
Could be a good discussion this...
MD
Yes the Lama is good, but seems to be out dated with the new stuff thats coming in. Twins seem fav (i guess due to JAR)...etc. etc.. EC135/145 even the old Kawasaki BK-117 may even re-appear. (I have read John Eacott's outfit uses it in Aus).
We know what is used in Canada, but would be good to hear from the Swiss, French and Austrian pilots. I guess Eurocopter products are used there too, and the Bell products in the US and Canada.. Down under in NZ and Aus..whats going on?
Could be a good discussion this...
MD
Last edited by MD900 Explorer; 20th Jan 2006 at 12:35. Reason: spelling
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Bitmonx, how many aircraft and how many skier-days are we talking about over there?
In Canada, my rough count comes up with approx 25 Bell Mediums, and about 26 Intermediates (407, 350) on any given winter day. The capacity is between 800 to 1,000 skiers/day in prime time (Feb, March).
MY guess on the USA is about 9 Intermediates, excluding Alaska Ops.
In Canada, my rough count comes up with approx 25 Bell Mediums, and about 26 Intermediates (407, 350) on any given winter day. The capacity is between 800 to 1,000 skiers/day in prime time (Feb, March).
MY guess on the USA is about 9 Intermediates, excluding Alaska Ops.
I think you will find that almost all the Heli-skiing in New Zealand is done with AS350s and a little bit with 500s. The Helicopter Line does use some 355s however.
Photo by Ned Dawson
Photo by Ned Dawson
Last edited by BigMike; 20th Jan 2006 at 14:32.
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407, in Switzerland Heli Skiing is very rare. There are only a few areas where Heli Skiing is legal in Switzerland due noise and political reasons. It would not surprise me that some single Heli Skiing areas in Canada are almost as big as half as Switzerland (Switzerland has a total land mass of 40,000 Square Kilometers....)
I absolutely love your 212 picture
I used to fly a 212 in the Arabian Gulf. Always dreaming of flying in the snow covered mountains. Some day maybe....
I absolutely love your 212 picture
I used to fly a 212 in the Arabian Gulf. Always dreaming of flying in the snow covered mountains. Some day maybe....
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[QUOTE=BigMike]I think you will find that almost all the Heli-skiing in New Zealand is done with AS350s and a little bit with 500s. The Helicopter Line does use some 355s however.
Yes!
But what about 212?No one operator in NZ use this type,why?
Yes!
But what about 212?No one operator in NZ use this type,why?
Maybe due to no work for it during the rest of the year. Also a lot of small operators in New Zealand so the pax numbers are spread around I guess. The Mount Cook Line used to operate a couple of BKs a few years ago on scenics with snow landings, but I guess it was not viable in the long run.
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RomeoAlpha, Mike is correct, it takes more than a bit of skiing to feed a 212 all year, Skiing is mainly an off-season fill in for the Canadian medium fleet.
Also...from what I understand...the Ski Ops are limited in NZ, they go great guns when the Weather is good maybe up to 4-6 groups (of 4) per aircraft, but must shut down during storms. The local guides have told me that there is no bad weather skiing below-tree-line, and from what I have seen at Mt Cook, I believe them !
Also...from what I understand...the Ski Ops are limited in NZ, they go great guns when the Weather is good maybe up to 4-6 groups (of 4) per aircraft, but must shut down during storms. The local guides have told me that there is no bad weather skiing below-tree-line, and from what I have seen at Mt Cook, I believe them !
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The 212 in NZ is owned and operated by Helicopters NZ and is used for offshore oilrig support. It did some time on heli-skiing in Queenstown for a while (if my memory serves me right) This machine has had an interesting life and at one point was also the Wellington Harbour pilot.
407 is correct, heliskiing ops are limited in NZ. They are restricted to some alpine areas in the South Island which are not part of the Conservation Estate, and to winters when the snow falls a lot but the wind doesn't blow. (a lot)
407 is correct, heliskiing ops are limited in NZ. They are restricted to some alpine areas in the South Island which are not part of the Conservation Estate, and to winters when the snow falls a lot but the wind doesn't blow. (a lot)
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Originally Posted by 407 Driver
RomeoAlpha, Mike is correct, it takes more than a bit of skiing to feed a 212 all year, Skiing is mainly an off-season fill in for the Canadian medium fleet.
What the activities for 212 in Canada in the summer?Fire-fighting?
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Yes, Firefighting is the main use for the VFR fleet in Canada. There are a handfull of ships moving drills on seismic as well. The Canadian registry shows 82 - 212's, 55 - 205's, and 27 - 204's.
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Single pilot, the ski guide sits up front, and there are 11 guests in the rear. RH side seats are not used.
The aircraft are stripped of all excess weight, all extra instruments, autopilots, even wiring, etc etc are removed. The standard empty weight is down near 6500-6600 lbs.
I did ski with a fully IFR ship one year .. If I recall correctly, it's EW was just over 7,000 lbs? Thats 35 minutes less fuel ! ( @700 PPH )
The aircraft are stripped of all excess weight, all extra instruments, autopilots, even wiring, etc etc are removed. The standard empty weight is down near 6500-6600 lbs.
I did ski with a fully IFR ship one year .. If I recall correctly, it's EW was just over 7,000 lbs? Thats 35 minutes less fuel ! ( @700 PPH )