Single engine - IFR capable?
 

Is anybody making a single engine helicopter today that is IFR certified in the US? I hear several companies used to, but I am having a heck of a time trying to find one being made today. Is it just unrealistic?

Chuck

Bell (407) and Eurocopter (350BA) managed to get limited approvals ( unlikely that they would be approved today ) . The cost of adding second Hydraulic and second power generation would make it a very expensive option probably brings cost close to that of a light twin. The EC130 does have dual hydraulics so maybe the second alternator would not be too expensive. I am sure if the market was there someone would certify it.

Supplemental Type Certificate

Supplemental Type Certificate

Supplemental Type Certificate

Supplemental Type Certificate

Presumably the market would have to be international to make it economically viable, especially in these harsh times. There is no UK market, for one example, due to CAA legislation disallowing single engine IFR helicopters.

The A119 comes closest to being IFR approvable - I believe all it needs is a second source of electricity (and that can be added to the transmission if memory serves me right).
The engine is basically the same one that is used in the Caravan and Pilatus PC-12 - both of which are allowed to fly IFR with paying passengers in N. America. The logic (and proof) was that this engine, under specific maintenance and operating procedures was much safer than the twin piston engine airplanes that were allowed to fly IFR. I wonder when the Europeans will see the light on this.

I presume fixed wing is allowed for single engine IFR operations in the UK. Sounds like discrimination against helicopters to me.:rolleyes:

A company called Martini were set to do freight operations at night with a caravan along the E coast of UK - despite its good safety record it was still shot down in flames in court (by somebody called Blair) so if the fixed wing isn't allowed, you won't get the helicopter approved!

It isn't discrimination against helicopters, it's blanket discrimination!

phil

Typically the brits are against it regardless of safety !! We are a country that is anti everything ...especially flying !! I heard the other day that an irish dauphin pilot came over to do some work for a company . Apparently he had to do , amongst other things , one hour of hovvering .....:confused: was some daft rule and he had over 8,000 hrs ontype :eek: With an attitude like ours when do YOU think we will certify a single ifr helicopter !!!!!!!!!!
......now of couse when it comes to handing out children to be adopted by gay couples ...well we lead the world in that :D

I've heard that the CAA are going to insist all IFR ops in the UK have to be three engines, from 2012. Something to do with them requiring funds for re-furbishing the canteen at Gatwick HQ.

I have been told by a Bell employee that a total of three 407's have IFR approval in the US.

Well thats just typical of you yanks .....dont you realise that its REALLY dangerous to fly in cloud in a single resulting in almost certain death ???
Its times like this that i am so thankful that we have our good old CAA to save us from such crazy things :ok: Next thing you will be saying you can land vertically in a small patch of ground like a back yard :eek: you silly crazy people ......come to CAA land , where we are protected from dangerous things ....such as ...flying , which can actually be really dangerous if you dont fill in the right form with the correct colour ink ...in triplicate . THIS is why we are safe ....because due to all the paperwork we actually do VERY little actual "off the ground work " ( OTGW) but a lot of (FISFDBI )
Thank God for the CAA .

ok its filling in stupid forms designed by idiots.

N reg heli in the UK
 

I was asked the question and i am not sure ...

Can a single engine IFR helicopter on N-reg fly in the UK privately, no AOC??

With the owner having and FAA licence with IR

I think i know the answer but..

I have seen in the past some 206 for sale with IFR kit on??


:ugh:

It was probably for training purposes only...

Yes, you do know the answer. ;)

Yeah right - nothing like a bit of complete bollocks to help with an argument :ugh:

Ah yes, G-AVII, I remember her well. It seems that when one has the right friends, the rules no longer apply. T'was ever thus.

Here in Oz we have two IFR B206. Basic 2-axis autopilot, 2 x AI, 2 x HSI, 2 x altimeter, extra battery for power. Does the job for training, obviously needs 2 engines for IFR charter, but we are only using it for Airwork.

nigelh, doesnt society make us into raving cynics!!! only yesterday they made it illegal for insurance companies to price on gender!! who pays these people!!

back on thread wasnt simon oliphant-hopes all singing all dancing md round the world exploder single ifr???

Sounds right to me... a few years ago I'd heard there were two IFR 407's in the US. One of them, I believe, was based (or had maintenance done) at KRNT Renton, WA.

Stringfellow:

If it was an MD Explorer (as I seem to recall it was) then it would perhaps have been single PILOT IFR, not single ENGINE IFR.