AW has some history with Bell as we all know......they only need to have a look at how the 212 was set up to solve this problem.

As Geoff suggests, an interconnect valve between the tanks to essentially turn "2" tanks into one is the easiest fix.

Fkelly.....your weight query

Here is one I did for a police setup

BW .... ......2914kg
3 crew .... ...300kg
Equip ........ 450kg

OEW ..... ..3664kg

Total Fuel... 900kg

Total........ 4564kg

AUW.........4600 kg

Margin.....36 kg

Not great! Needs to be at least 4800 AUW to be effective. I be.ieve this will be achieved by AW near future.....

Cheers

NASUS

Did your crew eat all the pies? Feed them a few salads, and you could gain another 40 or 50 kg!! :-)

Thanks NASUS, 2900-ish plus role mods is the figure I was interested in.

Non-PC Plod........
Mmmmm.....so it seems you are not to sure how we work out crew weights
Person...85kg
Flight suit/jacket /helmet/ boots/switlik....8kg
NVGs/battery pack with counterweights.....1 kg
Flight bag .... 5kg
Round it off to 100....give or take as some crew will be lighter and others heavier.
Really don't have to eat to many pies for an adult male pilot to be around 85 - 90kg these days on average.

Cheers

Sorry - the pies are obviously carried in the flight bag!:E

Performance Hot and High?
 

Anybody that has operated it care to comment on the Hot and High Performance of the helicopter.

The Density Altitudes we operate are between 8 and 14 thousand, we currently operate a A109SP and the time of the year where only 2 passengers can be carried out of 6 passenger seats is coming, the boss is asking about this one, but I have heard that it is a great helicopter until it reaches altitude.

Our 109SP Grand New becomes a dog in couple of months around here, I am not wrong when I say you can carry a lot more in a Bell 407 in May.

Not really worried about OEI performance, we are used to the fact from our 109SP, just AEO performance.

Thank you

BlenderPilot, you should look at an H145... They did demonstrations in South America at really high density altitudes with up to 8 pax...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0GJYUBGtJa8

What is the maximum certified altitude for take off and landings for the H145?

According EASA website (type certificate BK117 D-2) 16.000ft for take off, landing and HIGE. 20.000ft max operating altitude.

Per EASA, the H145's initial limitation is 16,000 ft PA or DA, whichever occurs first, though the Tech Data document for the aircraft says this is already being expanded to 18,000 ft. The AW169 is currently at 8,000 ft PA or DA, whichever occurs first, thought this envelope will presumably be expanded over time.

Right now the two platforms offer a similar useful load (3,816 lbs vs. 3,717 lbs), though as NASUS mentions a 4.8 tonne IGW for the AW169 is already in work, which would push its useful load up to 4,158 lbs.

I/C

16000 ft are 4877 m, quite short of 6000 m.

4800 achieved...it's time to have fun with this baby!

Has anyone got a plan drawing with all the dimensions, so we see how is it on various helipads we visit.

Have a look at:
http://www.the-blueprints.com/

They ask 7 credits for the drawing in various formats.
But minimum amount of credits is 25 @ €20,00
You can have 3 different aircraft for that

SLB

LMGTFY
LMGTFY
klick on images....

wbr

Yes same link

SLB

Because in OEI I need a running landing. I could be very close to helipads but far from a suitable runway.
It means I should plan all my flights considering that.

Anyone have any AW169 pilot training information to share?

Thanks

Anyone know what the hold-up on FAA certification is? As far as I know it has not happened yet.