Possible next type rating?
 

Guys,

please keep in mind: I'm a low time private heli pilot, just having fun flying those machines occasionally. Usually I go flying with an instructor or another (experienced) pilot.
I used to be flying a Hughes 269C, but it's located more than 1:15h by car away from where I live. That's the main reason why I'm struggling getting 5 or more hours a year.
Now there's a heli company located at my home town's airport and it's operating three different machines: A Robinson R44, A Jet Ranger B206 and an AS355.
Located only a 20min. drive away this could be the possibility for me to get more hours per year - if i get a new type rating.
But which one?

As a twin, the AS355 could be worth having one hour of "fun test flight" with an instructor, but in the long run I guess it would be way too expensive for keeping me up to date and current with it.
But what about the Jetty? Should I try making a type rating (and of course turbine endorsement) and switch over to the B206, or would you recommend me sticking to the pistons and move to the Robbie?
What - and why - would you recommend?

And before you ask: I don't know the charter rates and conditions yet. I definitely will take them into account, but as of now, I don't know anything about them.

Any hints are welcome.

Thracion

Nothing wrong with the R44. Not turbine, so you avoid that whole learning curve and cost. No difference in handling difficulty compared to a Jetranger. My choice if I was self-funded private.

Questions you should ask are rates, will they let you take it solo, how long a checkout. I think you will be pointed to the R44.

If you want to fly without a check pilot go 44. Due to the handling risks with a turbine it is hard to get self fly hire. It is great to get turbine experience if you are planning to go down that route longer term but the 44 will allow you to fly without a check pilot once you have your rating. It is a nice aircraft to fly and despite all the 'Robbie bashing' on here has always seemed safe and comfortable to me. It handles nicely and is nice to auto. Raven 2 doesn't have the carb heat issues. you sound as if you fly when the circumstances are right. Most Robbie accidents are related to weather and flight conditions in general. Fly within your capabilities and you will be fine.

At 5 hours a year just go up with an instructor when you feel the need, that way you can enjoy whatever airframe you like. 5 Hours a year are enough hours to get you to the smoking hole, not much else. Get out with an instructor, learn something, enjoy it, but don't risk your and others lives.

My two penn'orth, you cannot continue to fly helicopters of any kind on 5 hours a year.

Five hours a month is in my opinion the absolute minimum to keep functionally current, on the simplest airframe. If you are constrained by finance or time pressures in your life to less than this, then do not even consider a "new" type. Except possibly a fixed wing LSA which might keep you alive on five hours a year. But I doubt it.

If you can get to regular, varied, flying in rotary, my type of choice would be a Cabri. It is a modern design, has all the abilities of a real helicopter, and if you roll it into a ball you will most likely walk away from it, as it is built like a brick outhouse.

Many light helicopter accidents have a contributory cause of low experience level and lack of recency of the pilot.

Please do not add to that statistic...