Search results

Just me and the open road on a trip up to Tahoe in the EC-130. This is the kind of IFR we helicopter pilots like. : )

Any word on wether or not they will do a trade up program? I just bought 7 Zulu 2s last year for the helicopter and I would love to upgrade to the PFX.

I really appreciate everyones comments on what it's like to hover for the first time. It's so true...it's magic. That little effortless float up always brings a smile to a passengers face. For me the magic comes in the natural height we fly. I had the pleasure of ferrying the helicopter from...

Where's the option for landing skids... ;)

Well one example where it can't be avoided is when landing next to a fuel farm. I never understand why people park their planes next to a fuel farm when they have an entire ramp empty. They are just asking for trouble. There is this one airport that the Jet A fuel hose to insanely short and I...

That's just wrong. See this kind of stuff makes making friends in GA an uphill battle for us helo pilots. You should send them a broom and a dust pan.

Where you on the ground when this happened? Man that is so wrong. We easily produce Cat 3-4 hurricane force winds...that can easily damage any aircraft. I'm really sorry that happend to you. Most helo pilots are very conscious of other aircraft.

Autogyros are some of the most maneuverable things in the air. Pretty amazing what they can do. Insane turn rate. Never flown one but I saw an air-show with one doing things I still can't explain.

So let me ask you fixed wing guys a question. I'm a helicopter pilot who considers himself a conscious airport neighbor. At my home airport I own an executive hangar next to two other very large hangars both with large jets in them. The hangars are large enough that if I land in front my...

Yea 135 all day long. Above that is a little bumpy. Vne is 155.

I have a feeling though that guys in fixed wing who do get into helos wouldn't sell their fixed wing ships to only have a helo. Depending on your mission I feel like you think of the helicopter as a toy/fun only and the plane as essential. Am I right?

For sure! You are totally right. On long trips sometimes I wish I could just push a button and be an airplane. It has its perks though when it comes to getting on the go. In San Francisco class Bravo for example you would normally have to call clearance delivery, ground, then tower in fixed...

That's great! Congrats! What would you like to do in helicopters? Oh and the rotor turning the wrong way isn't an issue. The pedals still do the same thing...it's just your right pedal becomes your power pedal. You don't even think about it. You just react to the ship.

Well we can do 7 180 lbs adults, carry 300 lbs more in luggage, and have 90 gal to give about 2 hours of max endurance. So we have a 2,156 lbs usable load real world. I'd say that's pretty good compared to a max payload of 2,257 lbs on a Piltaus PC-12NG. I agree with you on range though. We...

Yes you could be right. Maybe because I have no fixed wing time I just don't know how green the grass can be...haha. There are new "kit style" helicopters that are getter very inexpensive. I hope more GA pilots look into it. If flown within its means, a Robinson can be a great helicopter...

Thanks for the kind words. She's a 2002 EC-130B4. I couldn't afford a new one so I bought a low time but nearly calendered out example and put her through the 12-year maintenance which is very extensive and expensive. In the end I have a helicopter that is fresh for the next 12 years (minus...

Request access to post.

Hello fellow pilots, I'm new to the forum. I usually get my fellow social pilot fix from more helicopter based forums but they are all usually either military or commercial pilots. No doubt I have enormous respect for them but usually can't relate too well. I admire and enjoy the private...