Fly a Sikorsky S-76?!?
 

Ok, so I am posting this on behalf of my husband. I have been searching online to find somewhere in the UK where he could fly a Sikorsky S-76 (something to do with Airwolf?!) He is a military helicopter pilot and I guess its a childhood memory. Anyway I thought I could surprise him with a trial/pleasure flight for Christmas and I can't find anywhere with this particular helicopter. Any ideas or suggestions would really be appreciated.
Many thanks

This is going to be an interesting one. I'm in. http://d26ya5yqg8yyvs.cloudfront.net/lurker.gif

Hi

I think you'll struggle to actually get him in the pilot/co-pilot's seat, and in any case, I'm certain that the Airrwolf machine was based on a Bell 222. However, if you contact Cardinal based at City Heliport Manchester you will find that they operate their own Sikorsky S76 and parked next to it is a Bell 430 which looks very similar to the Airwolf machine.

You are however looking at a rental of at least £2k - £3k per hour for these machines although you will be able to take 6 - 8 passengers.

Joel :ok:

The original Airwolf was, as mentioned, a Bell 222. There was 3 of them used in the filming of the series of which two are now written of (as in scrapped). The one left was used by Air Greenland for some time untill it was sold to a company in Norway ScanAviation as LN-ODW. I think the company went bankrupt.

Just buy him this one:

BELL 222A HELICOPTERS VIP fresh annual, sorry second helicopter sold in Aircraft | eBay Motors

:-D

Thanks!
 

Hmmm, ok, ignorance was bliss. Not sure RAF wages will stretch!! Looks like it might be a Red Letter Day;) Thank you

Carls, don't give up just yet!

There may yet be a way forward (although Christmas is fast approaching .. so perhaps for his birthday instead?).

There is a member of our community who flies a UK-based Bell 222 (the type of helicopter used in the TV series 'Airwolf') and there was even some talk a while back that the helicopter in question might be painted in the Airwolf colours. Moreover I am confident you could arrange a charter which would come in at less than the 2-3k mentioned above.

You may try and send him a private message here.

Well there certainly was an S-76 in airwolf!

Fans of the show may remember HX-1, which was destroyed by Airwolf in an episode with some of the best helicopter dogfight footage in memory.



http://www.rotaryaction.com/images/awolfhx1.jpg

http://www.jamesbond007.worldbreak.c...s/hx-1(02).jpg

Heli-Jet at Leeds Heliport used to have one for charter - not sure if they still do.

There are now no Bell 222's left on the 'G' register, so in theory, you shouldn't be able to charter one in the UK...but that leads back to the whole lease/AOC issue which has been covered in depth elsewhere on this forum over many years...!

I think the aircraft Savoia is referring to is N22ZW...see Heli-Charter Operations (The Airwolf Experience). Don't think it involves flying in the 222 though, but alongside it in a JetRanger or similar.

As far as I know, the Leeds-based 222 was on the 'N' register, so would not have been available on an AOC. Not sure if it's still based in Leeds or not - no harm making enquiries I guess!

I think Executive Helicopters in Ireland had a 222 on their AOC at one point (EI-registered) if you would consider a trip to Ireland, although not sure if they still do?

He'll be wasting his time. The 222s nowadays don't have a turbo or a whisper mode anymore.

Wasn't Blue Thunder equipped with whisper mode?

Joel Tobias looks a bit like Stringfellow Hawk. with a helmet on. He might be able to dress up for you.

Alternately, how about one of these and some lessons?

Executive in Ireland still have their B222!