50 Years of the Fabulous 500.
SASless
The final straw that broke the camels back for the CAA ( to be fair of the 5 members of the CAA who were doing the paperwork 3 wanted it to fly one was dead against) was the direct comparison that I laid before him.
Took all the component cards from a 369HM ( mil spec right hand drive machine but with normal c of a ) on the UK reg copied them removing the record of what ac they were fitted to. Did the same with the OH6. Only difference were some dash numbers indicating a higher mod state. Gave both sets to CAA surveyor and asked him to tell me which was the OH6, guess what !!!!!
month later I was air testing the machine with CAA chief test pilot
As for Phil who owns both machines great guy with a real passion I take my hat of to him, looking forward to the cobra ! He is always up for a curry and beer if in Blackpool
The final straw that broke the camels back for the CAA ( to be fair of the 5 members of the CAA who were doing the paperwork 3 wanted it to fly one was dead against) was the direct comparison that I laid before him.
Took all the component cards from a 369HM ( mil spec right hand drive machine but with normal c of a ) on the UK reg copied them removing the record of what ac they were fitted to. Did the same with the OH6. Only difference were some dash numbers indicating a higher mod state. Gave both sets to CAA surveyor and asked him to tell me which was the OH6, guess what !!!!!
month later I was air testing the machine with CAA chief test pilot
As for Phil who owns both machines great guy with a real passion I take my hat of to him, looking forward to the cobra ! He is always up for a curry and beer if in Blackpool
TC –H3WE NOTE 4 [a]: The Hughes Model 369 (YOH-6A) and 369A (OH-6A) helicopters were only produced for and delivered to military customers. To meet the basic eligibility requirements for a U.S. standard and export airworthiness certificate, Hughes Model 369 (YOH-6A) and 369A (OH-6A) helicopters must have been issued an FAA Form 8130-2 (previously FAA Form 970), “FAA Conformity Certificate – Military Aircraft”, prior to delivery to the U.S. Army. Civil conversion of these helicopters requires certain modifications to be made in accordance with the applicable FAA approved type design data which forms the basis of Type Certificate H3WE.
Thanks IC
Claudi
The CAA told Phil that as it was a mil ac that he had 2 months to put it on a G plate or they would ground it ! The Irish boys strictly shouldn't be flying theirs in EASA land now. I am told that the FAA would not ben impressed that it is flying outside US airspace with no direct permission from IAA or EASA . Like all things you can do what you want til things go wrong.
Remember you cannot fly a permit to fly ac inside another countries airspace without direct permission from that state
The CAA told Phil that as it was a mil ac that he had 2 months to put it on a G plate or they would ground it ! The Irish boys strictly shouldn't be flying theirs in EASA land now. I am told that the FAA would not ben impressed that it is flying outside US airspace with no direct permission from IAA or EASA . Like all things you can do what you want til things go wrong.
Remember you cannot fly a permit to fly ac inside another countries airspace without direct permission from that state
Hi Sav. I had seen a variation of that before but not that particular version of a vertical-reference wind/rain/sun shield. The only one I've seen previously was an entirely clear perspex version. Presumably such a modification would reduce the VNE by a considerable amount.
500 Fan.
500 Fan.
Slightly off topic but mention of the Cobra above reminds me to ask what has happened there.I recall seeing it flying in the US at least two years ago ...maybe longer but it still hasn't arrived in the UK?
50 years ago today, Robert Ferry was preparing to commence his record setting distance flight in the YOH-6A for greatest distance flown, non-stop and un-refuelled, in a rotorcraft. Amazingly, this record still stands today. One engineer at Hughes reckoned at the time that the only way this record could be bettered was if someone could produce a lighter helicopter with similar performance to the YOH-6A. Is it possible that this record will never be broken?
The YOH-6A set a total of 23 FAI world records in March and April 1966 and quite a few still stand today.
500 Fan.
FAI Record File Num #785
Status: ratified - current record Region: World Class: E (Rotorcraft) Sub-Class: E-1c (Helicopters: take off weight 1000 to 1750 kg) Category: General Group: 2 : turbine Type of record: Distance without landing Performance: 3 561.55 km Date: 1966-04-06 Course/Location: Culver City, CA - Ormond Beach, FL (USA) Claimant Robert G. Ferry (USA) Rotorcraft:MDD-Hughes YOH-6AEngine:1 Allison T63-A-5
The YOH-6A set a total of 23 FAI world records in March and April 1966 and quite a few still stand today.
500 Fan.
FAI Record File Num #785
Status: ratified - current record Region: World Class: E (Rotorcraft) Sub-Class: E-1c (Helicopters: take off weight 1000 to 1750 kg) Category: General Group: 2 : turbine Type of record: Distance without landing Performance: 3 561.55 km Date: 1966-04-06 Course/Location: Culver City, CA - Ormond Beach, FL (USA) Claimant Robert G. Ferry (USA) Rotorcraft:MDD-Hughes YOH-6AEngine:1 Allison T63-A-5
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Some trivia regarding the flight:
There were a couple of plans for attempts to beat the YOH-6A's endurance record a decade ago, one by a tour operator in a JetRanger and another by the late Steve Fossett in a Bolkow (BO 105 - Good, Bad or just Ugly?), but neither came to fruition.
- Bob Ferry's flight launched at about 2pm local in Culver City and landed at about 8am the next day in Ormond Beach (15 hours and 8 minutes, of which 8 hours were on oxygen)
- Bob wore slippers instead of flying boots for warmth and comfort, and a leather flying cap. His preparations for the flight also included losing 20 lbs.
- The aircraft's weight was in excess of 3000 lbs at takeoff (possibly as high as 3200 lbs); the OH-6's overload gross weight at the time was 2400 lbs
- The flight profile was cruise-climb as fuel was burned off, the Loach reaching 25,000 feet towards the end of the flight
- The Army's original goal was to set eight records; they ended up with 23 over a 26 day period
- Bob passed away in January 2009, at the age of 85. His career included 90 operational missions in Korea, and he also piloted the first flight of the AH-64A (with Bud Fletcher) in September 1975.
There were a couple of plans for attempts to beat the YOH-6A's endurance record a decade ago, one by a tour operator in a JetRanger and another by the late Steve Fossett in a Bolkow (BO 105 - Good, Bad or just Ugly?), but neither came to fruition.
Last edited by turboshaft; 6th Apr 2016 at 17:02. Reason: Steve Fossett named, since it was public-realm
Extremely interesting and impressive reading, thank you turboshaft.
If this was done in the modern day and age, there would no doubt be a docu team following him and GoPro cameras fitted, to produce a documentary for marketing purposes. Wish there was such a documentary made back in the day which had followed these record attempts.
If this was done in the modern day and age, there would no doubt be a docu team following him and GoPro cameras fitted, to produce a documentary for marketing purposes. Wish there was such a documentary made back in the day which had followed these record attempts.
Sadly, no film footage of this flight has emerged thus far, although you can be sure that Hughes had a camera man on hand at Culver City to record Bob Ferry's departure. If that footage still exists, hopefully it will emerge in the future.
Here is a link to another of the YOH-6A's record setting flights. The photo shows Jack Zimmerman standing beside 62-4213 with the auxiliary fuel tank visible in the rear compartment. Also visible is the high-tech PVC tape over the door crack to ensure a more aerodynamic finish!
Fai Record File
500 Fan.
Edit; I thought I would try to put the distance covered in this flight into perspective by seeing how far one could fly in Bob Ferry's YOH-6A if the flight started from Dublin! The most impressive flight I could come up with was this, a flight from Dublin to Happy Valley - Goose Bay, Newfoundland, Canada. IN AN OH-6A!!!!!! Granted, the conditions were quite different for Bob Ferry's flight but Dublin to Newfoundland is 2,187 miles, well short of his 2,213 miles. The extra fuel might have come in handy fighting that nasty headwind, though.
http://www.timeanddate.com/worldcloc...?p1=78&p2=1137
Here is a link to another of the YOH-6A's record setting flights. The photo shows Jack Zimmerman standing beside 62-4213 with the auxiliary fuel tank visible in the rear compartment. Also visible is the high-tech PVC tape over the door crack to ensure a more aerodynamic finish!
Fai Record File
500 Fan.
Edit; I thought I would try to put the distance covered in this flight into perspective by seeing how far one could fly in Bob Ferry's YOH-6A if the flight started from Dublin! The most impressive flight I could come up with was this, a flight from Dublin to Happy Valley - Goose Bay, Newfoundland, Canada. IN AN OH-6A!!!!!! Granted, the conditions were quite different for Bob Ferry's flight but Dublin to Newfoundland is 2,187 miles, well short of his 2,213 miles. The extra fuel might have come in handy fighting that nasty headwind, though.
http://www.timeanddate.com/worldcloc...?p1=78&p2=1137
Last edited by 500 Fan; 7th Apr 2016 at 17:56.
Air-to-air combat is a rarity in modern times. In a recent encounter, a 500D downed an unauthorised drone in Hawaii. (00:28 into video).
Stab Magazine | WSL Water Patrol vs Unauthorized Drone At Jaws
Four more kills and he's an ace!
500 Fan.
Stab Magazine | WSL Water Patrol vs Unauthorized Drone At Jaws
Four more kills and he's an ace!
500 Fan.
Air-to-air combat is a rarity in modern times. In a recent encounter, a 500D downed an unauthorised drone in Hawaii. (00:28 into video).
Stab Magazine | WSL Water Patrol vs Unauthorized Drone At Jaws
Four more kills and he's an ace!
500 Fan.
Stab Magazine | WSL Water Patrol vs Unauthorized Drone At Jaws
Four more kills and he's an ace!
500 Fan.
I have mixed feelings about this. While the drone pilot was definitely in the wrong in failing to yield to the helicopter, the suggestion that it was an "unauthorized" drone isn't totally accurate. There was no TFR over the event, and the whole thing took place outside of controlled airspace. The "No Drone" signs posted by the event organizers only hold legal standing on the beach that they've closed by permit.
I've heard of some FSDO reports that have been made regarding this incident, and it doesn't show great airmanship in the pilot deciding to approach an unknown drone in close proximity (and fly directly over it). Had the drone pilot climbed, or the drone went into "Lost Link" mode and climbed on its own up to a safe altitude, the outcome could have been different.
Not sure about the authority the 500 pilot has to destroy another's property, either. At the very least, the 500 pilot is on the hook for a new toy for whoever lost theirs in the ocean.
Last edited by MikeNYC; 2nd Nov 2017 at 19:07. Reason: Add video link
Looks like original video link was broken. Perhaps this link works: https://www.facebook.com/fpvteamlegi...0156110086118/
I have mixed feelings about this. While the drone pilot was definitely in the wrong in failing to yield to the helicopter, the suggestion that it was an "unauthorized" drone isn't totally accurate. There was no TFR over the event, and the whole thing took place outside of controlled airspace. The "No Drone" signs posted by the event organizers only hold legal standing on the beach that they've closed by permit.
I've heard of some FSDO reports that have been made regarding this incident, and it doesn't show great airmanship in the pilot deciding to approach an unknown drone in close proximity (and fly directly over it). Had the drone pilot climbed, or the drone went into "Lost Link" mode and climbed on its own up to a safe altitude, the outcome could have been different.
Not sure about the authority the 500 pilot has to destroy another's property, either. At the very least, the 500 pilot is on the hook for a new toy for whoever lost theirs in the ocean.
I have mixed feelings about this. While the drone pilot was definitely in the wrong in failing to yield to the helicopter, the suggestion that it was an "unauthorized" drone isn't totally accurate. There was no TFR over the event, and the whole thing took place outside of controlled airspace. The "No Drone" signs posted by the event organizers only hold legal standing on the beach that they've closed by permit.
I've heard of some FSDO reports that have been made regarding this incident, and it doesn't show great airmanship in the pilot deciding to approach an unknown drone in close proximity (and fly directly over it). Had the drone pilot climbed, or the drone went into "Lost Link" mode and climbed on its own up to a safe altitude, the outcome could have been different.
Not sure about the authority the 500 pilot has to destroy another's property, either. At the very least, the 500 pilot is on the hook for a new toy for whoever lost theirs in the ocean.
I do a bit of stand-up paddle boarding and SUP surfing and drones are becoming a regular overhead presence when surfers and SUPers are out on the water. I've been over-flown quite closely and videoed by drones on two occasions this year. No real problem except I have no real interest in starring in a video on youtube without my consent (or being hit by one either, for that matter). Drones seem to raise lots of new issues for those not operating them.
I also witnessed one guy accidentally hit the wrong switch on his drone and ditch it. Fished it out for him but I think he'll need four new motors.
500 Fan.
I reckon the surf event organiser probably brought in the 500 to film the event, thence my reference to the drone being unauthorised. As you say, where exactly the regulations lie, out over the water is open to debate. Does the presence of the 500 mean the drone should vacate the area? What about operating the drone over a crowded area, in this case the surf zone? Was the 500 doubling-up as a rescue ship too? I think Windward often do surf rescue at Jaws and elsewhere in Hawaii.
I do a bit of stand-up paddle boarding and SUP surfing and drones are becoming a regular overhead presence when surfers and SUPers are out on the water. I've been over-flown quite closely and videoed by drones on two occasions this year. No real problem except I have no real interest in starring in a video on youtube without my consent (or being hit by one either, for that matter). Drones seem to raise lots of new issues for those not operating them.
I also witnessed one guy accidentally hit the wrong switch on his drone and ditch it. Fished it out for him but I think he'll need four new motors.
500 Fan.
I do a bit of stand-up paddle boarding and SUP surfing and drones are becoming a regular overhead presence when surfers and SUPers are out on the water. I've been over-flown quite closely and videoed by drones on two occasions this year. No real problem except I have no real interest in starring in a video on youtube without my consent (or being hit by one either, for that matter). Drones seem to raise lots of new issues for those not operating them.
I also witnessed one guy accidentally hit the wrong switch on his drone and ditch it. Fished it out for him but I think he'll need four new motors.
500 Fan.
Operating the drone over a crowded area isn't the best idea, but it isn't strictly illegal by FAA standards unless people are being directly overflown. There are others that might argue flying a single engine helo over crowds of people at very low altitude with no airspeed also isn't the best idea, but it's done daily with little risk. The 500 wasn't doing rescue work, it was simply a camera ship.
Drones over nonparticipants, especially in areas people might expect peace, quiet, and relative privacy, are a nuisance indeed. But it doesn't give the 500 operator the right to down it.
This is a sticky area, and one that will be raised more and more in the future. Plenty of helicopter pilots own drones as toys, and also may work on film sets where aerial platforms vary between drones and helicopters. It's important to see both sides here. Unfortunately, too often, the drones are operated by people as toys, with no idea of the legal or safety ramifications of their operation.
50 years ago today, Hughes 500M FAC4241 entered service with the Fuerza Aerea Colombiana. It is the first production 500 airframe delivered from the production line in Culver City. As far as I know, it is still in service with the FAC but will be retired soon. It had 8,000 hours accumulated in 2010 so it doesn't have huge hours but 50 years of continuous service with one operator is impressive nonetheless. Howard would be proud of his little egg!
500 fan.
500 fan.