Greatest distance in an R22?
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Greatest distance in an R22?
I now the likes of Jennifer Murray have flown R44s around the world, but has anyone ever attempted to fly an R22 long distance, round the world, or UK to Australia?
Obviously there would be more stops from smaller range but has it ever been done?
MADY
Obviously there would be more stops from smaller range but has it ever been done?
MADY
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I did set off on an Uk - Australia trip in an R22. We spent months planning the trip getting clearences etc. We left Manchester on the 21 May 02 but got back ache after two hours and abandoned the trip
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R22 distance record
The furthest I ever took mine was London! I echo the numb backside 
sentiment completely. On the way back I could have walked faster due to a slight headwind component.
The factory delivery pilots take 'em from Torrance to all corners of the USA and I'll bet they are up there with some of the longest distances flown.
The R22 - a truly great training aircraft but not the fastest!
SB
sentiment completely. On the way back I could have walked faster due to a slight headwind component. The factory delivery pilots take 'em from Torrance to all corners of the USA and I'll bet they are up there with some of the longest distances flown.
The R22 - a truly great training aircraft but not the fastest!
SB
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I remember some years ago Q Smith saying he was planning a trip across the Atlantic in one (which a very big fuel tank sitting next to him).
Don't know if he ever did it.
h-r
Don't know if he ever did it.
h-r
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2300 statute miles (2000 nautical) is my longest trip in a 22. It was a ferry from coast to coast. I did it in three days and just over 22 hrs hobbs. Including ground run time on the hobbs, that would average 90kts.
Not a bad way to go....You could do it in two days...but that would be no fun. You have to enjoy it some too!... XM radio piped into my headsets did not hurt either
Not a bad way to go....You could do it in two days...but that would be no fun. You have to enjoy it some too!... XM radio piped into my headsets did not hurt either
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To my way of thinking this question is diverse and follows the line that theres no gain without pain. I would't attempt any long distance flight in an R22 nor would I stand at a wall and see if I could head butt it down. This is no kind of achievement, just plain stupid. And R22's are not great training machines, bloody awful actually IMHO.
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Personal best is from Shenandoah Valley, Virginia to Curacao, Netherlands Antilles, via Bahamas, the caribbean and Venezuela. Nice scenic flight, could have done without having to land in Venezuela...that was an experience in itself.
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I did Bristol - Moenchenglattbach and back followed by Bristol - Frankfurt (Egelsbach) and back. The last one I did on my own. Prefer two up except you can not take any luggage. It took me 6 hours one way. Loved it.
I have no problem flying long distance in the R22. But I would love to take something like an EC135 or A109 or Bell430 round the world if I can find the money.
I have no problem flying long distance in the R22. But I would love to take something like an EC135 or A109 or Bell430 round the world if I can find the money.
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How do you think these ships get to where they are based in the US? We fly them! Yes from the factory, to all points in the US.
Sounds more like you dont like 22's in general......
I have made many long trips in 22's and they are not bad at all. As a matter of fact, I just got done with another one last week. (Only 650 miles though) Not at all a problem for a day of flying....
... I think complaints about the comfort over a long period of time are true but you get the same thing when you sit in a car for 6 hours. There is nothing that is comfortable to sit in for hours and hours. I dont find the 22 any less comfortable then any other ship.....(Allthough I am only 5'9" so that helps)
The Original Whirly
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An American instructor friend of mine used to do delivery flights from Torrance; the last time I heard, she'd flown coast to coast seven times; it's probably more by now.
The longest I've done is Wolverhampton to Paris and back again. No problem, and no backache - but being only 5ft 3ins I have enough room.
Brilliant Stuff, if you ever want a companion on a long trip in an R22, let me know.
The longest I've done is Wolverhampton to Paris and back again. No problem, and no backache - but being only 5ft 3ins I have enough room.
Brilliant Stuff, if you ever want a companion on a long trip in an R22, let me know.
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I am doing a ferry flight taking a Mariner from Liverpool to Mallorca with an R44 in support due to the weight limitations with 2 up. Should be late this month or early next. It will be my longest flight.
Should be a good laugh, and I plan to enjoy it.
Should be a good laugh, and I plan to enjoy it.
Last edited by Heli Teli; 2nd Feb 2007 at 10:17.
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"And R22's are not great training machines, bloody awful actually IMHO."
Head Turner, why the negativity? I would have loved to be able to train in an Agusta 109 power elite - its just that I needed a house and clothes and to eat and stuff like that...
SB
Head Turner, why the negativity? I would have loved to be able to train in an Agusta 109 power elite - its just that I needed a house and clothes and to eat and stuff like that...
SB
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"I now the likes of Jennifer Murray have flown R44s around the world, but has anyone ever attempted to fly an R22 long distance, round the world, or UK to Australia?"
I've never been that desperate to fly to Australia. My personal record is 12 minutes out, 12 minutes back.
I've never been that desperate to fly to Australia. My personal record is 12 minutes out, 12 minutes back.
Scooter Boy,
As opinions go, I'm afraid that Head Turner is pretty much spot on. The R22 IS a 'bloody awful' training machine. It's a great little 2 seater helicopter, but it's not a good trainer. (And, for what it's worth, an A109E wouldn't be a very good ab-initio trainer either, but for lots of different reasons).
The only really 'good' training helicopter is the S300. Why? Because it's the only helicopter that was designed specifically as a trainer.
But, surprise, surprise, this has already been debated long and hard on here. Here's the original thread that started back in 2001:
http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthread.php?t=75186
As opinions go, I'm afraid that Head Turner is pretty much spot on. The R22 IS a 'bloody awful' training machine. It's a great little 2 seater helicopter, but it's not a good trainer. (And, for what it's worth, an A109E wouldn't be a very good ab-initio trainer either, but for lots of different reasons).
The only really 'good' training helicopter is the S300. Why? Because it's the only helicopter that was designed specifically as a trainer.
But, surprise, surprise, this has already been debated long and hard on here. Here's the original thread that started back in 2001:
http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthread.php?t=75186
Crazy Scandihooligan
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A mate of mine Decimal, who does not post here often, has done a trip from Carp, Ontario to the Florida Quays and back in an R22 Beta. Took him and another pilot 6 weeks. 
Said they had temps from -30 to +35 on the whole trip. Bet their backs hurt like hell
MD
Said they had temps from -30 to +35 on the whole trip. Bet their backs hurt like hell
MD
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I wanna know what it is with smaller helicopter manufacturers and 
seats! For US170k-200K+ you would expect your luxury little machine to at least not give you a numb ass after 1.5 hrs - Why not use a modified kevlar racecar type seat for example. I did 4.9 hours of cross country in my R22 one day.........never again.
seats! For US170k-200K+ you would expect your luxury little machine to at least not give you a numb ass after 1.5 hrs - Why not use a modified kevlar racecar type seat for example. I did 4.9 hours of cross country in my R22 one day.........never again.