H130 Vs B407GXP Vs AW119Kx for Tourism missions
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Joined: Jun 2016
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From: Singapore
H130 Vs B407GXP Vs AW119Kx for Tourism missions
Hello!
I have a question regarding commercial, tourism, charter helicopter flights.
Which A/C is the most suitable to this kind of missions between H130, B407 and AW119?
Are the B407Cxp and AW119Kx already available on the market?
Thanks guys
I have a question regarding commercial, tourism, charter helicopter flights.
Which A/C is the most suitable to this kind of missions between H130, B407 and AW119?
Are the B407Cxp and AW119Kx already available on the market?
Thanks guys
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 14
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From: Australia
Hi Alex,
in tourism, it is all about giving the customer the best experience for their dollar. And in a helicopter, that is all about visibility and comfort. If you are able to put the pilot ego aside and concentrate on what is best for your paying guest rather than what the pilot would like to play with, the 130 wins every time. Remember, these machines were virtually built from spec by the end-user, the Blue-Hawaii, Maverick helicopters etc who knew what the customer needed - great visibility of the wondrous sights they paid to fly over, around or to. That's why there are massive fleets of the 130's in all the really cool places worth flying around.
Good luck with your shopping.
in tourism, it is all about giving the customer the best experience for their dollar. And in a helicopter, that is all about visibility and comfort. If you are able to put the pilot ego aside and concentrate on what is best for your paying guest rather than what the pilot would like to play with, the 130 wins every time. Remember, these machines were virtually built from spec by the end-user, the Blue-Hawaii, Maverick helicopters etc who knew what the customer needed - great visibility of the wondrous sights they paid to fly over, around or to. That's why there are massive fleets of the 130's in all the really cool places worth flying around.
Good luck with your shopping.
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 959
Likes: 3
From: New Zealand
Surely it has to be the H130 as it's the only one with 6 forward facing passenger seats?
Who wants to pay for a tour where you have to sit in a seat facing backwards? Or a forward facing seat where most of your view consists of the broom closet?
Who wants to pay for a tour where you have to sit in a seat facing backwards? Or a forward facing seat where most of your view consists of the broom closet?
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 49
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From: The Dee Sea
For what it's worth, I spend my days about 1000' away from the Downtown Manhattan heliport, probably one of the busiest tourist heliports in the world (14 pads, all in fairly constant use).
The 407 is the clear winner in that market - probably 8-10 B407s active across multiple operators. AS350s are in second place, just behind the 407s (don't know my B2s from B3s, if it makes a difference, though I could look it up). I can only think of 1 or 2 EC/H130s running tours, and no 119s.
The 407 is the clear winner in that market - probably 8-10 B407s active across multiple operators. AS350s are in second place, just behind the 407s (don't know my B2s from B3s, if it makes a difference, though I could look it up). I can only think of 1 or 2 EC/H130s running tours, and no 119s.
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,796
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From: 1 Dunghill Mansions, Putney
Based on fleet data from Ascend, the current heli-tour fleet worldwide includes:
The big 407 operator in the NY region is Helicopter Flight Services.
I/C
- 2 AW119s (AW119Ke's, both with Kaan Air in Turkey)
- 24 Bell 407s (incl. 3 407GXPs)
- 193 H130/EC130s (incl. 109 H130s)
The big 407 operator in the NY region is Helicopter Flight Services.
I/C
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 55
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From: USA ex-pat
As a previous tour operator, the EC130 is without any doubt the airframe that provides the best customer experience. The largest tour operators in the world operate it, including Maverick and Blue Hawaiian so take note.
From a customer experience perspective, the other two are second. BGDFLY said it first.
From a customer experience perspective, the other two are second. BGDFLY said it first.
Last edited by crunchingnumbers; 16th June 2016 at 02:15.
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 293
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From: foot of a mountain
H130 all the way here because of 6 pax. 350 has got 5 pax and noise issues. We did the trials with 120 and 130 and they now the greenies best friends due noise. 130 all pax can take same pics and videos facing forward and no noise complaints for operating company. 407 makes a racket sorry and where I am Airbus's now killing market due even if you here them they dont sound like a helo and pax on shared helipad seeing them with other companies going sorry no wanna fly in that!
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 346
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From: LOWW
100% true: Last year I did the Grand Canion tour complete with wife and 11 year old daughter, all three of us in the front row. A year earlier my kid had claimed a friends BO105 to be noisy, she's a girl who did stick some cotton into her ears when watching StartWars in cinema!
That same girl actually took off the noise cancelling A20 headset and almost fell asleep in the 130 on our way back to Vegas. My concerned inquiry if it won't be way too load w/o headset was answered with "no, its very ok".
I'd guess, currently there is nothing as quiet at a 130,
and the view has already been established as designed to be great.
That same girl actually took off the noise cancelling A20 headset and almost fell asleep in the 130 on our way back to Vegas. My concerned inquiry if it won't be way too load w/o headset was answered with "no, its very ok".
I'd guess, currently there is nothing as quiet at a 130,
and the view has already been established as designed to be great.
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 232
Likes: 2
From: UK
As a former 'tour' pilot on the H130 I would second all the positive comments so far (especially with the upgraded aircon that the T2 now has). Customers like it because not only do they get a great view in comfortable seats, but they can chat to each other and discuss what a great time they are having without high-frequency sound-waves setting their teeth on edge.
One other thing that the H130 offers is the very reduced external sound-footprint if it is flown to the right profile. So it is not just the people onboard who benefit; the aircraft can be spookily quiet if flown conservatively on disciplined flight-paths. This can make all the difference to those neighbours who might object to the thought of regular helicopter traffic.
Mind you, none of this is cheap and pilots agree that the B407 is a fine aircraft; but then they aren't paying the bills.
Regards,
Flug
One other thing that the H130 offers is the very reduced external sound-footprint if it is flown to the right profile. So it is not just the people onboard who benefit; the aircraft can be spookily quiet if flown conservatively on disciplined flight-paths. This can make all the difference to those neighbours who might object to the thought of regular helicopter traffic.
Mind you, none of this is cheap and pilots agree that the B407 is a fine aircraft; but then they aren't paying the bills.
Regards,
Flug
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 49
Likes: 0
From: The Dee Sea
Funny you should mention this. I notice the H130 much more than the 407s (or 350s), mostly because of what I think is the whine of the Fenestron. The lone 130 is the only Fenestroned helo that regularly operates from the pad, so maybe it just sticks out against the background noise.
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 293
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From: foot of a mountain
Funny you should mention this. I notice the H130 much more than the 407s (or 350s), mostly because of what I think is the whine of the Fenestron. The lone 130 is the only Fenestroned helo that regularly operates from the pad, so maybe it just sticks out against the background noise.
