Learning to fly in a 500
 

Have always liked the 500D and E from when I were a nipper.
Considerable costs of starting straight on a turbine machine aside - purely from a handling point of view - how easy would it be for a moderately experienced fixed wing pilot (light aircraft PPL only) to learn to fly rotary wing on the 500?
(Yep - I know the plank experience counts for nowt airmanship wise when you swap a yoke for a cyclic)
I understand it's considered the sports car of the light turbine world - not long legged and you're always looking for fuel - but highly manoeuvrable and extremely responsive.
Possible, or would it simply be too much of a handful - would a 206 be more benign?
Have fooled around in a Robbie once, but that's about it.

If it's what you want to end up with then it's perfect to learn in . No point at all in learning on a Robbie and then converting !

Costs aside it Shouldn't really make a difference at all to be honest, learn in whatever type you wish.

There are some training advantages of learning in something that doesn't have a throttle governor (e.g. H269), but still isn't really a big deal at all to learn manual throttle manipulation in any type you decide to learn in.

Good luck with your training.

Perhaps the Jet Ranger might be a bit easier to learn in....as some of the 500's attributes that makes it so much fun to fly make it a bit harder to master if new.

That being said....going to a Jet Ranger after flying the 500 is so boring!

The major difference is in the 500 you fly the machine using cyclic trim operated by your Thumb.....as the Jet Ranger has a standard cyclic system.

You will find it harder to transition from a 500 to another type if that's what you plan to do later on i.e. Into a 206 or 350. And as already mentioned will be a big change if you want to fly a piston especially without a governer.
If that's what you are going to stay with won't matter.

Our local police operate 500Es. They take patrol officers and train them from zero-time. Recently, one of their officers who is a FW private and Mooney owner, passed his RW rating. So, it is feasible, especially if that is what you'll continue to fly. (Ultimately, their pilots earn a Comm with IR, all done in-house.)

Check to see if you need special permission to train in a four-seater. Otherwise, enjoy!

Phil

Genuine question paco, what has the number of seats got to do with its use for training? New one on me.

Megan
The four seater is to do with EASA law and registered facilities teaching ab initio !
As to learning to fly on a 500, some thoughts

1. Expensive, about twice that of learning on a 300 for instance
2. You will be a better pilot learning in a piston.
3. Probably quicker to do it in a 300 then convert
4. It is reasonably long legged, holds 310 litres of jet ( with normal tank plus fargo ) so that is about 2 hours 45 mins at 130 kt cruise, so will go further than your 206 !

Can basically teach anyone to fly one given enough time and money, after all most of those ex mil pilots on here will have learnt on a gazelle which is basically a French version of a 500 in what it was designed to do.
I would be happy to teach you in one ( I have a few of them )

The basic principle of power management is not as easily learned in a high(er) powered turbine which will save your backside while you continue on blissfully unaware it's not your talent defying gravity.
Learning, or at least spending a few hours on a piston, will make you a better pilot, embedding a respect for limited power you won't get going straight to a turbine.
Once done, run away and don't look back :E

Thanks Hughes, curious as to the reason/logic.

Gazelle indeed! Some of us pre-date the type, too.

The Whirlwind was arguably a better training aircraft, despite its much larger size.

Shy

My humble apologies I am a mere 53 so think i am comping to the end of ones commercial life !!!

53? They're sending us boys to do the job these days, I tell you! ;)

I passed an employment /FAR 135 Checkride in Alaska on the 500D to include slingloads, EOL's, Snow Landingsand mountain landings at 10, 000 feet.....without removing the Frictions....and when asked why not....had to ask "Frictions?".

Immediately rumbled at having never flown the 500!

Worked there three years on 500's and Cessna 206's.

Some piston engine time twisting a throttle is not a bad thing....as very few Helicopter Pilots ever fully understand the effects and control of rotor system torque.

Shy
now now

What, like an R44 for example? Only until the QHI course (just)
If you're talking about the piston-engined version then I agree, but only if prefaced by a few hours in a Hiller to sort out the throttle twisting.

Er, surely the 500 is actually a 5 seater?:eek:

Well, just my 10 cents worth: if you learn to master a twitchy Robinson, then ALL else in the future will be a walk in the park. I learnt on a pre-tip weighted blade machine when engine governors were just a glint in Franks eye.

Followed by a Hiller 12E that developed left arm muscles that Popeye would have been envious of!

Good luck whatever you choose. :cool:

Sheesh - you fly it using the coolie hat on top of the cyclic?!
Makes me admire the thing even more...