Words on various birds?
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Joined: Jan 2011
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From: Norway
Words on various birds?
When I first started racing/riding motorbikes I (naturally) started off with old heaps of junk and then it was always great fun to progress and get to ride newer/better/different pieces of machinery. Personal favourites were found, others disregarded as crap and yet others felt odd and peculiar in one way or another. It was very interesting to read others opinions on how they felt about different models, and give a bit of bashing or praise back.
Now with a single hour in a 300Cbi I'm not really in a position to give any opinions about helicopters, but it would be fun to hear your personal stories about the different helis you've flow. Which ones are dog-slow and horrendous looking and which ones are sleek, swift and divine.
Now with a single hour in a 300Cbi I'm not really in a position to give any opinions about helicopters, but it would be fun to hear your personal stories about the different helis you've flow. Which ones are dog-slow and horrendous looking and which ones are sleek, swift and divine.
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2011
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From: Norway
If you've got any tasty stories about women, please feel free to share them as well. Besides bikes and helicopter, I count those birds among my greatest interests.
As the rookie I am in this business, I took the advices given in the "Chopper captain pay" thread where it clearly said that "bird" is a perfectly accepted word for helicopter, while chopper is not. So please give me due respect for the rhyming title of this thread.
As the rookie I am in this business, I took the advices given in the "Chopper captain pay" thread where it clearly said that "bird" is a perfectly accepted word for helicopter, while chopper is not. So please give me due respect for the rhyming title of this thread.
Joined: Jul 2002
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL(H)
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From: UK
Well, you were given a bum steer, I'm afraid. Calling a helicopter a 'bird' is as bad as calling it a 'chopper'.
'Helicopter' or 'aircraft' = ok. Pretty much anything else =
.
'Helicopter' or 'aircraft' = ok. Pretty much anything else =
.
Hovering AND talking
Joined: Feb 2003
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From: Propping up bars in the Lands of D H Lawrence and Bishop Bonner
'Helicopter' or 'aircraft' = ok. Pretty much anything else = 
.
.
Abbreviate to "heli" if you must or "helo" if you're ex-Navy.
Back to the original question ... I like Schweizers, they're cracking little helicopters that are ideal for training. They're forgiving and manoeuvrable. They ain't quick but who cares when you're doing doughnuts at ten feet. Similarly, I have a soft spot for Jet Rangers ... they're not the fastest machines, but they have character.
Just like my Bonneville
Cheers
Whirls
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 74
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From: uk
Well, I suppose riding a "Bonneville", vibrations wise is a bit like sitting in an heli... .....
Personally, I love the Alouette 2 (Lark 2) so am not offended if you call it a "bird". (but I also like the EC120 and Ecureuils (Squirrels) might not appreciate.) Safe flying all. Al
Personally, I love the Alouette 2 (Lark 2) so am not offended if you call it a "bird". (but I also like the EC120 and Ecureuils (Squirrels) might not appreciate.) Safe flying all. Al
Last edited by alicopter; 2nd October 2012 at 22:53.
Joined: Jul 2002
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From: UK
"Just a pilot"
Joined: May 2001
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From: Jefferson GA USA
I like the term "helo" better than the tongue-twisters helicopter, aircraft, rotorcraft and copter, even though I was never a "squid" (stirring up the anthill). I might inadvertently call my ride of the day "the airplane" but never "chopper" (associated with bikers or wannabes) and unless I'm being cute, never a "bird".
All around favorite helo would be the Hughes/MD 500, although I've got very little time actually flying them.
Next in line would be harder, depending on what tool was needed- a dead heat of the Hughes 300B, UH 1, any Bell 206, and AS350 (once disparagingly called the "Rubber Duckie" in the Gulf of Mexico). Might like the 407, but never sat in one. Definite dislike of the "Double Duckie"- AS355 series E thru F2, with 10 years in'em.
All around favorite helo would be the Hughes/MD 500, although I've got very little time actually flying them.
Next in line would be harder, depending on what tool was needed- a dead heat of the Hughes 300B, UH 1, any Bell 206, and AS350 (once disparagingly called the "Rubber Duckie" in the Gulf of Mexico). Might like the 407, but never sat in one. Definite dislike of the "Double Duckie"- AS355 series E thru F2, with 10 years in'em.
Thread Starter
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From: Norway
From looks only the MD 500's egg-shape is cool. It looks... fast and nimble.
People seem to like the 300, but no mention on the R22. Good I guess, as my training will be primarily in 300Cbi's.
What is it that makes the AS350 such a good high altitude heli? Does the 355 work just as well?
People seem to like the 300, but no mention on the R22. Good I guess, as my training will be primarily in 300Cbi's.
What is it that makes the AS350 such a good high altitude heli? Does the 355 work just as well?
"Just a pilot"
Joined: May 2001
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From: Jefferson GA USA
"What is it that makes the AS350 such a good high altitude heli?"
The B3 version has a lot of engine.
"Does the 355 work just as well?"
Mebbe the Turbomeca (N model?) but the Allison/RR engines- not so much. Kinda wheezy...
The B3 version has a lot of engine.
"Does the 355 work just as well?"
Mebbe the Turbomeca (N model?) but the Allison/RR engines- not so much. Kinda wheezy...
Last edited by Devil 49; 3rd October 2012 at 14:01.