Robinson: Greatest Helicopter of all time
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 90
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From: UK
Most fatalities are CFIT, weather and wires, so being flimsy by comparison to a heavier turbine isn’t going to make any difference to most fatal accidents
The arguments would rage about whether allocation of individual incidents was type-specific, but I'd love to see the numbers. Maybe someone can commission it for a student to study.
As pointed out, Weather, CFIT, Wires, Night (my addition) could in many cases be said to be non-type-specific. If you ignore training accidents maybe the above would help end the Robbie-bashing!
Lafite
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
From: UK
480 vs R66
Who (as a private owner rather than operator) would want a squirrel / enstrom sat in a hangar mounting up maintenance bills for 3 months of the year when the Robinson owners are all out flying and enjoying themselves for less cost??
B47 has hit the nail on the head, I'd say 
Joined: Jan 2003
Aviation Qualifications: CPL
Posts: 1,361
Likes: 1
From: Near the bottom
In my experience the vast majority of those who criticise Robinsons couldn't afford to buy one themselves - they're usually flying somebody else's kit instead. However, unless these people are complete snobs, that shouldn't influence their views on what makes a 'great' helicopter.
As a Robbie owner, I agree they are damn ugly, sound agricultural and have the bare minimum of equipment. On the other hand, they are good value for money, very reliable, reasonably fast and economical. In the right hands, they are also very safe. A large number of incidents involving type (which are not disproportionately high) are due inexperienced or foolish pilots.
'Great' is very subjective, so I wouldn't necessarily agree that even Bell's 47 is 'great', nor is a huey - despite the emotional attachment from times when people's lives depended on these machines. The Robbies are aimed at a certain market - and Frank has executed brilliantly in penetrating that market with a product that has soundly beaten its competition. Great job.
As a Robbie owner, I agree they are damn ugly, sound agricultural and have the bare minimum of equipment. On the other hand, they are good value for money, very reliable, reasonably fast and economical. In the right hands, they are also very safe. A large number of incidents involving type (which are not disproportionately high) are due inexperienced or foolish pilots.
'Great' is very subjective, so I wouldn't necessarily agree that even Bell's 47 is 'great', nor is a huey - despite the emotional attachment from times when people's lives depended on these machines. The Robbies are aimed at a certain market - and Frank has executed brilliantly in penetrating that market with a product that has soundly beaten its competition. Great job.
Joined: Jan 2003
Aviation Qualifications: CPL
Posts: 1,361
Likes: 1
From: Near the bottom
[from diethelm - i too once owned a turbine]
Some humor.
I previously owned a turbine. One time when flying up the river, we smelled something akin to smoke. Hmmm we wondered. So we set down and took a look. An oil line had started leaking. We shut down, talked to the sheriff who showed up and called the shop. Four hours later, our new part had arrived in nothing other than an R44. Out of it stepped a friend and the first thing he handed to me was a brochure and a quote for a new R44......told me they where dependable.
If I had my preference, I would own a nice big twin, but that is not how life works. The R44 is a perfectly good aircraft for its intended uses and it is very reasonably priced. Greatest, best, revolutionary are all subjective adjectives. Objectively, flown appropriately, the R44 is a perfectly reasonable aircraft and is a bargain per hour compared to others. Put another way, it beats taking a bus.
I previously owned a turbine. One time when flying up the river, we smelled something akin to smoke. Hmmm we wondered. So we set down and took a look. An oil line had started leaking. We shut down, talked to the sheriff who showed up and called the shop. Four hours later, our new part had arrived in nothing other than an R44. Out of it stepped a friend and the first thing he handed to me was a brochure and a quote for a new R44......told me they where dependable.
If I had my preference, I would own a nice big twin, but that is not how life works. The R44 is a perfectly good aircraft for its intended uses and it is very reasonably priced. Greatest, best, revolutionary are all subjective adjectives. Objectively, flown appropriately, the R44 is a perfectly reasonable aircraft and is a bargain per hour compared to others. Put another way, it beats taking a bus.
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 212
Likes: 0
From: scotland
Here here B47! The Robbie bashing really is getting boring. What should be asked is how many Robbie owners are happy with their helicopter, I would think most and that says it all. The same happens in the boating world where the cheaper "Bayliner" constantly gets referred to as "binliner" but it has got alot of people into the boating market and some have stuck with them, others have moved up. The Robbie is exactly the same.
With regard to EN48 and the weight difference, my comment would be "so what!" I would rather have a lighter machine, better fuel consumption and if applicable a faster top speed. Lets face it, none of them are built like Volvo's so.........
With regard to EN48 and the weight difference, my comment would be "so what!" I would rather have a lighter machine, better fuel consumption and if applicable a faster top speed. Lets face it, none of them are built like Volvo's so.........
Joined: Jan 2003
Aviation Qualifications: CPL
Posts: 1,361
Likes: 1
From: Near the bottom
Earl - highly amusing. I can hardly breath, I'm laughing so hard. Tell me, do you actually own a helicopter? Or do you just like collecting pictures of Gazelles?
TTB
TTB
Joined: Jan 2003
Aviation Qualifications: CPL
Posts: 1,361
Likes: 1
From: Near the bottom
Well a couple of years ago, when the dollar was $1.99 to the £, a Robinson would have been a great investment, not to mention a lot of fun. I'm not sure could say that about Spanish villas; I suspect it'll be a loooooong time after you've retired that you'll see your Marbella purchase price reflected in a valuation 
Good luck to you; I hope you enjoy looking at your chum's Gazzer when it arrives
Good luck to you; I hope you enjoy looking at your chum's Gazzer when it arrives
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 294
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From: 1°21'10.20"N - 103°56'36.21"E
There you go ..
Apologies if this has been posted before .. ..
Courtesy : Abc Hotel | Helicopter Service
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,957
Likes: 0
From: Australia
anyone dabbling in both the nutrition and petroleums world might think that the relationship of Margarine is to polyethylene differs by maybe one molecule or less. Uggghhh.
In the Pommy R22 Helicopter haters club, the same relationship might be seen between the "earl" and our friend "Nigel h"
watchout earl, he's on your doorstep
butane is also not far away.
tet
In the Pommy R22 Helicopter haters club, the same relationship might be seen between the "earl" and our friend "Nigel h"
watchout earl, he's on your doorstep
butane is also not far away.tet
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 139
Likes: 0
From: UK
So Earl, You like shapely women and dislike ugly helicopters ?
In days gone by it was different . . . . . . . . .
LARGE GIRLS CLUB - British Pathe
Tarman
In days gone by it was different . . . . . . . . .
LARGE GIRLS CLUB - British Pathe
Tarman
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 51
Likes: 0
From: Moscow, Russia
You are funny man earl Rochester and I Like.
Here, I help you with this-
Did you know Mil factori we plan to buy large number Robertson helicopters, yes, it is real!
Because we talk with EASA about Mi26 and EASE say pilot must check tail rotors and main rotors close vizual inspecton before flying - so Mil, we come up with system!
Yes - now for Europe delivery of Mi26 we include one Robertson helicopter with each Mi26 !!!
Pilot fly Robertson around Mi26 for pre flying inspecton wile co pilot is making the inspecton of tail rotors and also flying beside main rotors to check condition.
After this Robertson is stored inside behind cockpit where it fitting easy and take little space!
Thank you....
Here, I help you with this-
Did you know Mil factori we plan to buy large number Robertson helicopters, yes, it is real!
Because we talk with EASA about Mi26 and EASE say pilot must check tail rotors and main rotors close vizual inspecton before flying - so Mil, we come up with system!
Yes - now for Europe delivery of Mi26 we include one Robertson helicopter with each Mi26 !!!
Pilot fly Robertson around Mi26 for pre flying inspecton wile co pilot is making the inspecton of tail rotors and also flying beside main rotors to check condition.
After this Robertson is stored inside behind cockpit where it fitting easy and take little space!
Thank you....
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 264
Likes: 0
From: Goodwood, Sussex, UK
- Moscovite!
Thank you for this news regarding Mil's decision to buy Robinson R22's.
I marvel at Mil's masterful measurement of the Robinson's capability and concur that this contraption may well be suited as a pre-flight inspection vehicle for the Mi-26.
I was also thinking that you could ask Robinson to place a number of hand and foot holds along the R22 so that it could be used as an emergency external flight deck access/egress for the crew - for I see that the Robinson's mast just about reaches the Mil's cockpit!
Earl
Thank you for this news regarding Mil's decision to buy Robinson R22's.
I marvel at Mil's masterful measurement of the Robinson's capability and concur that this contraption may well be suited as a pre-flight inspection vehicle for the Mi-26.
I was also thinking that you could ask Robinson to place a number of hand and foot holds along the R22 so that it could be used as an emergency external flight deck access/egress for the crew - for I see that the Robinson's mast just about reaches the Mil's cockpit!
Earl
