Hiller 12c operation in the UK
 

Hi All
I have a group of friends looking to buy and learn on a Hiller 12c in the UK(12e too expensive?).
Are there still any knowledgeable folk around here who can advise?
Thinking of N-reg on FAA licenses. Possibly buying in the US and shipping over as there don’t seem to be any here in the UK?
Any Hiller experienced FIs left in the UK who could teach us?
We have a licensed engineer in the group and are all experienced fixed wing pilots plus we have hangarage.
Please….
Don’t tell me how bad Hillers are!
Don’t suggest buying a Robinson
Do help if you know solid info or know someone who does.
Really appreciate any help offered. Very keen to investigate ways forward with this plan
Many thanks
Jonathan

I thought the CAA had kiboshed uk based pilots owning an N-reg aircraft in the uk

I flew a Hiller 12c many years ago, fun to fly, company I worked for had one operational and 5 for spares. I am not UK based so cannot help, but would be a blast to fly one after all these years.

Not heard that one. There are a few N-reg at our airfield so I suspect it’s not the case. Do you have a reference?
thanks

Thanks Gordy. Do you know if they still operate or any other Hiller operators still in CA? I can get to SFO,LAX or SAN fairly easily and would love to ‘have a go’ if there’s still one flying anywhere there

Look up Western Aerial Applications in Canada. They’re an experienced Hiller operator. Not sure if they’re willing to part with any of their aircraft but maybe they can point you in the right direction.

Many years ago there was a fatal accident in the UK. The top of the gearbox and rotor system departed. The CAA instituted a 600 hr (?) internal inspection of the main gearbox.
This was mandated for imports as well as registered aircraft. A Hiller that had been "overhauled" in the states had the main gearbox rejected. The CAA noted that all the dynamics including the engine had been overhauled by the same organisation.
It cost the owner a small fortune to have all the components inspected. As always caveat emptor.

I did a lot of work on Hillers, preferred them to the Bell 47 as access was easier.
Biggest problems were corroded keel beams, cracked main rotor hubs and bogus parts.

https://www.caa.co.uk/commercial-ind...n-uk-airspace/

Check to see which section applies to you, but if you are UK resident flying N-REG in the UK you will either need a UK Part FCL PPL, or a UK issued validation for your FAA.

ATO/DTOs have historically been able to train on N-REG in the UK, but may require a permit from the CAA subject to certain conditions. I believe this remains the case.

One more plug for Western Aerial. I heard a rumour they are a recently approved overhaul facility/parts supplier for Hiller. Not 100% sure on that so call them and ask for Craig or Tyler. They’ll give you an honest answer. Plus they’re Canadian, so a little nicer and more polite than their big brother to the south!

Having had a few n reg hillers in the UK over the years Yes you can still fly n reg hillers in the UK and I believe there are some left but first you need a UK type test on the Hiller to be put n your UK licence
most UK dto do not have a Hiller instructor or a Hiller examiner. And as there is not that many in the UK they don’t want to pay the CAA charges to add it to there fleet
then as it’s a FAA registered aircraft you need a a and p to do maint and a faa AI to sign off annuals

maybe speak to James booth who was/is a Hiller examiner and Bob heilds at sherburn in Elmet who runs a ATO /DTO
a y other info send PM to me

Try also Leon Smith at Helicopter Services

Thanks Both 👍

Possibly AH helicopters at Dunkerswell.

Not that I know of, this was way back in the early 90's and the company disbanded. I am sure there are some flying somewhere but do not know of any.

The only recently-active Hiller I know of in the UK is N38763 UH.12B which I last saw at Breighton in 2022 looking immaculate. It was reported in May 2024 to be at South Cave/Mount Airey near Hull together with a dismantled UH.12C registration N21UH

There are a LOT of 500s in the UK on the N reg.

I have only ever seen dismantled UH-12C in the UK; N5317V was the last one I saw, seemed to crop up in a few places, not sure where it ended up.

I'd be happy to chat via PM about buying your own helicopter and learning to fly it in the UK. You will be as welcome as a fart in a spacesuit to most, but it can be done.

Quailo I owned 2 N Reg Hillers UH12B's and operated as a PPL for quite a few years about a decade ago, I imported one from the USA which was N831M and I also owned for a few years N780ND which was the actual airframe from the James Bond Movie "From Russia With Love" airworthy and immaculate

Both were reliable, fun and quite easy to fly

Aerodynamics of a Brick and became a faff to maintain

At the time I had a clean FAA PPL(H) which realistically is the only way to go as pretty sure you will not get a UK type rating

I eventually sold N780ND and exported it back to the USA where it now resides in a collection / museum

I have no regrets but it is not that practical, if you want to chat on my experience feel free to reach out

Hi Hydra
I’ve sent you a pm which shows as sent but not sure?
cheers Jonathan