only Crapinsons have a POH :yuk::yuk::yuk:
Helicopters have an RFM a Rotorcraft Flight Manual ;););)

olymbec - you should at least try asking Bell seeing as you are not far away from them.

vertical - I think there are a group of us who readily agree that the Robinson is not a real helicopter and should originally have been classified as an ultra-light or maybe even a large scale model! ;)

Out of interest, is there an equivalent to the GX in the Squirrel family, ie. glass cockpit with integrated GPS map etc.?

The 350B3 has a engine glass display called VEMD. It´s really smart and easy to use but only for the engine & systems not navigation, radios, camera etc.. like the GX. Both have first limit indicators FLI on the GX it´s calle PSI power situation indicator, same thing though.

The G500H by Garmin has been available for optional installation on the Ecureuil series since last year as per the following:

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-a...500H-0311a.jpg

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-C...with-G500H.jpg

The system includes:

- Synthetic Vision
- HTAWS (Helicopter Terrain Avoidance and Warning System)
- Satellite Weather
- CLEAR CAS (Collision Avoidance System)
- WAAS (Wide Area Augmentation System) [Uses enhanced GPS signals to enable IFR operations and vertical glidepath approaches into non-ILS equipped landing areas]
- Optional Audio Panel (which receives voice activated commands and allows you to replay ATC messages)

.. and a number of other features.

Still out of the thread ... But it's for Anthony :)
Sarasota Avionics has done a good job on this EC130B4 Sarasota Avionics Aircraft Panel Gallery (and we can see the engine glass display VEMD)

http://nsa32.casimages.com/img/2012/...0102800648.jpg

Thanks for the idea. I will make a copy of the checklist in the POH and laminate it for easy access and durability.
Going to fly a few hours in the GX tomorrow, so looking forward to it.

Olymbec: Can you not upload the checklist into the Garmin?

No chance of getting those pesky shoe laces snagged on a pedal! :}

Savoy, your notes on the Garmin unit and the mention of RT playback, does this mean that a CVR facility is closer to becoming a more accessible reality for light helicopters?

35sec recording.
 

The recording option is integrated in the Garmin ICS. If I remember correctly it only records the last 35 sec!

The Garmin 500H / 1000H or any Garmin unit actually are very user friendly and reliable. I absolutely love them and it will be interesting to see the BH-525 Relentless with the G5000H touchscreen unit.

A CVR is not installed in light helicopters because it is not required and is cost prohibitive. However anyone can use Bluetooth/audio jack type headset and record on the smartphone (Flight mode!) or digital recorder if they desire.

Register on the Bell website and you can get the entire RFM in .pdf format, which you can print as you like.

GF: Aesir has answered the question.

What I can say is that it would be a small thing for Garmin (or any of the other integrated systems manufacturers) to incorporate full (ie. several hours worth) intercom and ATC recording so yes, we are one step closer to having CVR coverage for light helicopters but .. it will take (at a guess) the better part of the next two decades before we see a substantive proportion of the light helicopter population flying 'on glass'.

Once that happens however it would not surprise me if pilots are encouraged to 'offer' a commentary (if this does not distract from their primary response) during emergency situations.

In single pilot operations for example, where there are sometimes few or even no witnesses to incidents and accidents, such recordings could provide valuable clues to investigators.

Commentary will probably be offered without encouragement. The most common commentary is "Oh s**t!).

Although voice is not recorded the 407 GX records pretty much everything else (altitude, X,Y,Z axis, speed and engine data . . .)
Its just missing that one last little bit.

Control inputs would be nice, and the sample rate needs to be high enough too.

I think both voice and control input "sample" rates go up a bit if you're on your way to a crash! :eek:

Bell Helicopter introduces new 407GX autopilot

Turning into quite a nice little package. No wonder it now accounts for over 80% of 407 sales.

I/C