Rotoway 162

[bmoore2156]

I would be interested in some personal opinions about the Rotoway 162 Helicopters. I have not yet looked through the NSTB reports. I figured I would start by asking you guys what your thoughts were on safety, kit quality, and cost per flight hour. (We all know this is usually way more than advertised)
Thanks,
Brad

[Chopper Reid]

Back about 8 years ago I happened to see a very smart looking 162 at an airshow and I got talking with the owner who said it was 3 years old, the hour meter had a grand total of 30. something hours on it and of that 30 hours, it would have taken at least 2 hours to get to the airshow so that doesnt say much about the 162 being a fun to fly machine.

I know of at least 2 that have been built here in Australia and both have crashed killing the pilot. This could well have been pilot error due to low hours but I would research the Rotorway very carefully before committing to it.
They dont seem to have been overly popular which is surprising given their advertising campaign.

[animal]

this one had about 70 hours. almost crashed on top of me.

the reports on the rotorway owners group are scary. way to many roll overs. and other issues you don't hear about often, secondary drive shafts breakages, tail rotor failures, even fuel tanks getting loose and shorting out the electricals.

some early ones even had issues of the fadacs dieing when you keys the radio.

Rotorway, not for this guy.

spend a bit more and buy a Safari. or a used Robbie.
once in awhile ya even find a used Hiller for the price of an exec.

[choppergabor]

I watched a friend of mine autorotate into Halifax river here after loosing his engine on the new 162. His wife was with him. Both got out with minor injuries and that was the point when he bought himself an Enstrom. :) He said hell with this! Flying his Enstrom ever since with no problem. 162 is very sensitive to low RPM. It has the narrowest blades I have ever seen. I don't think I could fit in it. Never even tried to. They are usually at HeliExpo. Go see one in person and see if you are still interested.

[gyroplanes]

I have probably certified a dozen or so Execs. The very latest, in Indiana, crashed after 3 seconds of solo. Pilot told me the skid caught the tall grass and he pulled when he should have lowered.
I did another Exec in Indiana some years ago. The pilot / builder was killed in the crash. His vert stab bracket failed and the departing fin caught the tailrotor. The helo reportedly nosed over and dove into the ground. An eye witness account was verified by the path of parts and damage to same.

[Caribean_gyro]

I have 2 in my hangar and 2 more on ehte next hangar. Is a good machine. If you follow the training and preflights. The owner of one takes his surf board tight it to the skid and go swiming every weekend.

Now he is alwyas all over the machine checking it out. I like the safary due to the lycoming engin and the tail rotor shaft vs Belt. I have floown the exce 162 the "elite" and the 162F . Still like my twinstar but they are good machine.

Again the nut behibd the stick maks all the diference

ChuckP

[bmoore2156]

Thanks for the input.
They sure do look good in the pictures but that doesn't always tell the whole story.
I am still having lots of fun with the gyro so I don't see myself switching to a helo anytime soon.
Brad