Hiller UH12c buying advice?
 

I have just noticed that a helicopter (a Hiller UH12c) I saw for sale last year that got me really serious about getting my PPL(H) has re-appeared and is still for sale.

Quite co-incidently a colleague of mine has also just seen it and is very interested in purchasing it.

His thoughts were to purchase it, keep it at Newcastle Airport, use it for his PPL(H), then fly for pleasure afterwards.

I was just wondering what the pit falls and costs might be buying and running an 'older' aircraft, housing it at Newcastle Airport and using it to train in?

Any thoughts appreciated.

Where are the nearest engineering facilities and where's the nearest rated instructor and examiner!!

Cheers

Whirls

If it's on the US register then you may have problems training on it in the UK.

Tarman

What problems do you foresee training on it in the UK ?

I presume you mean if you want to be FAA trained to fly it, then instructor availability might be a problem, but its not impossible.

GS

Here's another angle, Knievel:

What's the price of the single most expensive component on the Hiller? If this breaks, can you afford to replace it?

If the answer's 'no', then you're on to a 'no-brainer'.

I used to fly them and teach on them. I would seriously stay away, the 12 a/b/c are very expensive to maintain and I promise you they break a lot. If you want a lot of maintenance and very little flying buy one of those. I've never seen one flying more than 15 hours without some problem.

Flat out at 60 - 65 mph and shaking you to bits..............but fun anyway. Uses more oil than fuel.....:)

In answer to some of your questions:

The helicopter in question is already in the UK.

Operating costs quoted are £85.00 per hour based on 100 pa flying.

I'm told that it has only 2 time replacement parts: the tail rotor assembly and the paddle cuffs.

I believe the maximum speed is 84 MPH and the range 150 miles.

I notice a few Helicopter Training schools offering 'own aircraft training' for around £100 per hour!

The helicopter is being offered at £36,000.

Once again, this is information i'm collating for a colleague, myself, i'm sticking to the trusty R22 for my training.

The bad news: This part costs $100,000.

The good news: There are none to be had even if you have the $100,000!:O

Hields at Sherburn has one they might train you on it, as there are so few of them who's are you going to buy?
If you want something old why not go for a bell 47.

N707ZS,

As stated, it's not me buying, it's a colleague of mine and the reason he is interested in this particular Hiller is because of it's unusual history having been used in a James Bond film.

K77.

The aircraft may be in the UK already but is it on the G register? As far as I know, there is only one Hiller on the UK reg and that's the one at Hields.

Cheers

Whirls

Whirls,

It looks like it is still registered in America.......BUT i've seen loads of pictures of it flying over the southern England countryside?

The BOND is on the N-Reg, a Hiller 12C is (almost) impossible to get on the G-Reg. The particular machine looks very nice and is in good nick.

As to the life limited parts:

The blades have no life, but are made of wood and have to be overhauled pretty frequent. (if you get 300 hours out of them you're doing very good)

The mainrotor gearbox has to be overhauled every 300 hours, nobody will tell you that, but it's in the factory maintenance manual.

In general everything is on condition, but that doesn't mean you don't have to replace it ever. In fact there are loads of parts that have a very bad life. You are talking of 50's design.

Tailrotor blades have a life of 2500 hours, these are extremely hard to find and expensive if you can find them. There are illegal 'new' blades on the market, but you definitely wouldn't want these.

You have to look at these machines as old timers just as with cars, you only take them out a few times a year on a nice and sunny day. For the rest you're pampering it. The you can have a lot of fun for say 25-50 hours a year. But if you want regular low cost flying and you're not an engineer yourself don't buy them.

Hillerbee,

thanks for the advice, I shall pass your comments onto my colleague.

K77.

Just because it's on the N-reg, doesn't mean it can't be flown in the UK. However, the pilot probably has an FAA licence.

Cheers

Whirls

Whirls,

Not so - anyone can fly an "N" reg aircraft in the country that it is presently in if they have the equivalent licence privileges to do so in that country . Look it up in the FAR's.

63 (a) (1) However, when the aircraft is operated within a foreign country, a current pilot license issued by the country in which the aircraft is operated may be used.

Plus your photo ID of course. ;)

Hmmmm it all seems like its going to be more trouble than it's worth.

To be honest it's probably best if he just buys an R22.........or dry hires the local training school's machine, after all he shortly won't be badly off as it was his uncles Bugatti that was left to him that hit the news recently and shortly to be auctioned at Bonhams.

Way to go .
Nice NEW 500 then, :ok:& change:E

RVDT, yes, I know. But I did that say the pilot of the aircraft which is for sale "probably" has an FAA licence.

Cheers

Whirls