@3TOP

Yes, thats correct!

skadi

Hi Skadi,

thanks for the speedy reply!

Besides more MR clearance, is there any other advantage with the high gear?
At 26 kg MORE weight then the low one it seems quite heavy ....

3top

These HEMS machines, operated by the German Federal Police are equipped with HELLAS ( Helicopter Laser Radar for obstacle warning ), therefore needing more groundclearance.
The other two major HEMS operators in Germany are using the normal landinggear with the EC 135. Loading a patient its a little bit easier then and ground clearance is also ok.

http://www.helionline.net/539-825022.../23745/big.jpg

3top, Eurocopter are about to make an intermediate skid available for the 135. 100mm more ground clearance and 150mm wider footprint than the Low Skids. According to the 135 project boss, they weigh less than 4Kgs more than the Low Skids.
We have the high skids fitted due to the fact we also have the belly pod with the camera and Nitesun. Even so, given some of the places we land, I'd still prefer the high skid to protect the tail. High skids also give you a better sloping ground capability.

According to the flight manual (EC135T2) they don't.

Slope Left, Slope Right, Nose Up, Nose Down (degrees)

Low Skids: 14, 14, 12, 8
High Skids: 12, 12, 12, 8

With MMI (Mast Moment Indicator) inoperative or not installed : 6 degrees all round.

Any advantage to sitting on High skids (for a Police machine) is removed by having a Nightsun that is only 23cm clear on level ground.

Metro Aviation in the US have had an "Intermediate" skid extension for years. STC though. Not liked or condoned by ECD.

"High skids also give you a better sloping ground capability".

....in that your tail/frange is further from the ground in the first place.

But I agree about the nitesun - especially if it is not stowed quick enough before the Radalt switches the power off - at that point, if it's not stowed correctly, the clearance on flat ground is insufficient.

Can floats be fitted to the intermediate-size skids?

ECD now also are selling an intermediate skid if I remember the recent bulletin correctly.

Hi all,

getting close to close the order (actually we are late, but I hope I still can adjust it to accomodate our changed requirements!)

Guys/gals, anyone with experience on the "hight adjustable pilot/co-pilot seat", with lumbar support, etc....

According to the info from EC it basically allows to lower the seat.

The pilots who will fly this ship are everything from tall to short!
Tallest about 1,87 m.

I would like to know, from tall pilots, how are we dealing with headroom (planning to use my helmet!) and seat/pedal adjustability!

I am at it right now! The sooner you answer the more frosty cold ones I own you!!


3top :cool:

We fly helmets with NVG that require a little bit more head space - if you don't want to crack a set of googles. You won't get anywhere close to scratching the interior unless wou want to change pedal setting with NVG tilted upward. Compared to A109, 135 is a wide body concept, even for the tallest pilot we have - measuring 188cm.

Hi Phoinix,

thanx for the quick reply!

Well, I rather asked!
I have about 1400 hrs in the EC120 without a helmet and never realised how small it is until I tried it with a shell!
Basically the EC120 is useless for me and a helmet....
In the 350B3 the helmet limits visibility for external cargo ops severly (though one gets used to this...)

Back to the 135:

So you say that your tall guys are just fine with the standard seats?
non-height adjustable ....

How are the standard seats for lumbar support?

( I mean the tech data on the adjustable seats suggests, "" that they are the best of the best and we better get 2 of these...")

However, they certainly cost a lot more and weight more too,...

If your tall guys are happy with the standard seats, we most likely would be fine too...

Thanks for your time!

3top :cool:

We have stock seats, only adjustable AFT/FWD. I'm 180 cm and these seats are one of the most comfortable seats I've flown in. We have one smaller pilot, just over 165cm and he also doesn't have any comfort issues on 3 hour flights.

As far as visibility goes, from these seats it isn't a problem. I haven't tryed the height adjustable seats though.

Phoinix,

thanx for your info!

I am the 187 cm, but based on your replies I will take a chance with the standard seats! Cheaper (...... less expensive!) and lighter (3.7 kg each seat....)

Another question:
What kind of landing gear are you guys using?
Standard (low), high or custom (like the Metro Aviation 4" leg extension kit)
Any comment on these?

Save flights!

3top :cool:

The standard seat is the most comfortable I have used (182cm). We use a sheepskin type cover that is comfortable all year round.

Great!

We stay with the standard seats!

Another question:

We will get single/dual IFR - MEGHAS (Avionics Solution 11).
One option is the "fuel management system" - flow meters

I hope/aasume that fuel flow and quantity information would be available on the VEMD (or whatever that part is called in the EC135 - Vehicle and Engine Management Display).

Does anyone have details about this?

Would it be advisable to get the Fuel Management Option and what info does it provide, that is not available on the standard glass cockpit equipment?


I appreciate all your tips on this!!


Cheers,

3top :cool:

Fuel Management?

What is wrong with the method you have been using to date? The gauge system in the 135 is very accurate. It even accounts for the aircraft attitude. You can change the units from the front end of the VEMD.

The fuel management system uses flow meters. I can't understand why it was done this way as the data is available from the EECU, which would have been a far simpler solution and accurate enough. The A109E/S does it this way.

Even with a height of over 190cm ( 6'4" ) and helmet the standard seats are ok, better than the ones on some of the bigger machines though.

skadi

RVDT,

I don't know "what's wrong" with the method up to date!
What is the method in your IFR135?
I never got even near a EC135....

That's why I ask - I know how the 350 and the 120 work and I wondered, why the 135 would not provide this data on the VEMD (or whatever this part is called in the 135) in the standard MEGHAS?

Factory rep informs me that the data derrived from the "Fuel management option" is not available on the standard panel (Avionics solution 11 - MEGHAS).

I assumed that the IFR 135 would have all the latest EC-toys in it!
(There is no Analog Instrumets - IFR option anymore)

According to factory info, the fuel management option gives you fuel remaining in the 3 tanks, fuel flows to the engines and time to engine-out at present powersettings (based on main fuel tank level).

This same data I get in our 350B3s from the VEMD .....

So, those of you who drive MEGHAS-135s, should be in the know!
Maybe you have the option installed! (It is a no-weight option, so I assume it is just some extra-paid software!!)

The option illustration shows a 3-tank symbol with different volumes, the RH tank has less volume and shows a bottom corner cut out.

If you are certain, that you do not have the fuel management option, and you still get the above data with a direct (pictorial and numerical) readout from the panel - I will save some bucks (probably a lot!!), forgoing the option!

Keep it coming!

I also appreciate any other tips, complaints, suggestions, etc.

On Monday I have the last chance to modify the order specs!


Thanx!

3top:cool: