Possible next type rating?
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Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Germany
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Possible next type rating?
Guys,
please keep in mind: I'm a low time private heli pilot, just having fun flying those machines occasionally. Usually I go flying with an instructor or another (experienced) pilot.
I used to be flying a Hughes 269C, but it's located more than 1:15h by car away from where I live. That's the main reason why I'm struggling getting 5 or more hours a year.
Now there's a heli company located at my home town's airport and it's operating three different machines: A Robinson R44, A Jet Ranger B206 and an AS355.
Located only a 20min. drive away this could be the possibility for me to get more hours per year - if i get a new type rating.
But which one?
As a twin, the AS355 could be worth having one hour of "fun test flight" with an instructor, but in the long run I guess it would be way too expensive for keeping me up to date and current with it.
But what about the Jetty? Should I try making a type rating (and of course turbine endorsement) and switch over to the B206, or would you recommend me sticking to the pistons and move to the Robbie?
What - and why - would you recommend?
And before you ask: I don't know the charter rates and conditions yet. I definitely will take them into account, but as of now, I don't know anything about them.
Any hints are welcome.
Thracion
please keep in mind: I'm a low time private heli pilot, just having fun flying those machines occasionally. Usually I go flying with an instructor or another (experienced) pilot.
I used to be flying a Hughes 269C, but it's located more than 1:15h by car away from where I live. That's the main reason why I'm struggling getting 5 or more hours a year.
Now there's a heli company located at my home town's airport and it's operating three different machines: A Robinson R44, A Jet Ranger B206 and an AS355.
Located only a 20min. drive away this could be the possibility for me to get more hours per year - if i get a new type rating.
But which one?
As a twin, the AS355 could be worth having one hour of "fun test flight" with an instructor, but in the long run I guess it would be way too expensive for keeping me up to date and current with it.
But what about the Jetty? Should I try making a type rating (and of course turbine endorsement) and switch over to the B206, or would you recommend me sticking to the pistons and move to the Robbie?
What - and why - would you recommend?
And before you ask: I don't know the charter rates and conditions yet. I definitely will take them into account, but as of now, I don't know anything about them.
Any hints are welcome.
Thracion
I would go for the good old Jetbanger, even if the rates might be higher.
Its much more forgiving in case you fly it one day just on your own, lots of energy in the blades for autorotation and for me just cooler then the up side down mounted lawn mower called R44.
By the way, look through the treads today, another R44 has bitten the dust, killing two...
Its much more forgiving in case you fly it one day just on your own, lots of energy in the blades for autorotation and for me just cooler then the up side down mounted lawn mower called R44.
By the way, look through the treads today, another R44 has bitten the dust, killing two...
Nothing wrong with the R44. Not turbine, so you avoid that whole learning curve and cost. No difference in handling difficulty compared to a Jetranger. My choice if I was self-funded private.
Questions you should ask are rates, will they let you take it solo, how long a checkout. I think you will be pointed to the R44.
Questions you should ask are rates, will they let you take it solo, how long a checkout. I think you will be pointed to the R44.
Join Date: Aug 2009
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Add another to your list, I see another crashed last night. Mid air break up from what I’ve read. I don’t know of any other aircraft so prone to this type of failure, whether it’s pilot induced or not, they are very unforgiving.
Avoid the 355. I fly five hours a day in them....
the 355 is not an aircraft for beginners and you woun't enjoy it.
I would definitely recommend the 206! It’s a great aircraft and you’ll enjoy it !
if you had the option to fly a 350 that is also a great aircraft !
the 355 is not an aircraft for beginners and you woun't enjoy it.
I would definitely recommend the 206! It’s a great aircraft and you’ll enjoy it !
if you had the option to fly a 350 that is also a great aircraft !
Join Date: Jan 2004
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If you want to fly without a check pilot go 44. Due to the handling risks with a turbine it is hard to get self fly hire. It is great to get turbine experience if you are planning to go down that route longer term but the 44 will allow you to fly without a check pilot once you have your rating. It is a nice aircraft to fly and despite all the 'Robbie bashing' on here has always seemed safe and comfortable to me. It handles nicely and is nice to auto. Raven 2 doesn't have the carb heat issues. you sound as if you fly when the circumstances are right. Most Robbie accidents are related to weather and flight conditions in general. Fly within your capabilities and you will be fine.
I always found the 335 a nice, easy aircraft to fly. Just my opinion. However it is probably not worth the $$$ in this case. I also recommend the 206 as a good step up.
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Got to agree with Martin. Auto characteristics of a 44 are completely different to a 22. When I did basic autos in the 44, I could’ve done with a book to read, to pass the time. As to the frequent crash reports, well, there are lots of Ford Fiesta crashes...because there are so many of them. And why are there so many in use...
Below the Glidepath - not correcting
At 5 hours a year just go up with an instructor when you feel the need, that way you can enjoy whatever airframe you like. 5 Hours a year are enough hours to get you to the smoking hole, not much else. Get out with an instructor, learn something, enjoy it, but don't risk your and others lives.
My two penn'orth, you cannot continue to fly helicopters of any kind on 5 hours a year.
Five hours a month is in my opinion the absolute minimum to keep functionally current, on the simplest airframe. If you are constrained by finance or time pressures in your life to less than this, then do not even consider a "new" type. Except possibly a fixed wing LSA which might keep you alive on five hours a year. But I doubt it.
If you can get to regular, varied, flying in rotary, my type of choice would be a Cabri. It is a modern design, has all the abilities of a real helicopter, and if you roll it into a ball you will most likely walk away from it, as it is built like a brick outhouse.
Many light helicopter accidents have a contributory cause of low experience level and lack of recency of the pilot.
Please do not add to that statistic...
Five hours a month is in my opinion the absolute minimum to keep functionally current, on the simplest airframe. If you are constrained by finance or time pressures in your life to less than this, then do not even consider a "new" type. Except possibly a fixed wing LSA which might keep you alive on five hours a year. But I doubt it.
If you can get to regular, varied, flying in rotary, my type of choice would be a Cabri. It is a modern design, has all the abilities of a real helicopter, and if you roll it into a ball you will most likely walk away from it, as it is built like a brick outhouse.
Many light helicopter accidents have a contributory cause of low experience level and lack of recency of the pilot.
Please do not add to that statistic...
I don’t understand why 1:15 is so restricting? Leave house on a weekend morning at 08:30. Arrive at the school/club at 09:45. Coffee and a bacon roll. Briefing. Go up for an hour or so. Light lunch. Home by 15:00. Is it that hard?
