Helicopters...

[helicopter ed]

Anyone know of a better looking Helicopter then the Robinson R-44? I don't give the million dollar baby's a second look. But, this 4 place, {any color} makes me drool.

 

[Blue Chips]

I'd call that one the Jolly Green Lemon.
Those colors are a spoiler to me, but the owner must have liked it and that's all that counts.
There is nothing out there to compare in that price range, that I'm aware of so I'd give it first place.

 

[Stan V]

RotorWay makes a nice looking Helicopter and the Helicycle ranks right up there with me too.
If my wife would let me risk that much capital, I'd own a Helicycle.

 

[WaspAir]

Anyone know of a better looking Helicopter then the Robinson R-44? I don't give the million dollar baby's a second look. But, this 4 place, {any color} makes me drool.

This is a matter of taste.
I find the R-44 to be quite hum-drum and not visually appealing. On the other hand, I have always thought that the August A109 is a flying sculpture, elegant, refined, yet purposeful.

 

[magknight]

I know they're not unique, but the MD500 is my fantasy machine. Looks, performance, capacity, etc.

 

[turbo]

Yes I like my r44,

Helicycle is nice too.

This too.

 

[GyroCraft]

I gotta disagree with you here. I've always thought the Robinson was one butt-ugly design. But, forget the helicopter for a moment, is that a Lamborghini in the background ?

 

[hillberg]

It's like a big bag of candy, It's all good.

 

[Rotor Rooter]

The Xcubed gets my vote.

IMHO, when it comes to cars and aircraft, 'Aerodynamics' and 'Beauty' are synonymous.



Dave

 

[RayPierce]

Huey

Huey

My favorite was the Huey.
A beautiful distinctive sound to my ears.
It brought mail from home.
It brought a hot meal now and then when all I had to eat for weeks were C rations.
Occasionally it took me to the rear area for some much needed rest.
It brought ammo when we got low and gave us eyes from above when we needed it most.
And finally....
It was the first leg in a long journey back home from half a world away.

 

[helicopter ed]

These three pilots know their R-22's to a T. Like it or not, the Robinson is the most
popular small helicopter in the world. Fuel use approx. 70.00 an hour at 6.00 a gal.

http://youtu.be/uvgxBn8ms5I
R22 Aerobatics
youtube.com
It is absolutely amazing what these people can do with a Robinson R22 helicopter!

 

[Blue Chips]

That power off display of control-ability was really good.

 

[turbo]

the guys at the mosquito factory are working on a two place ship. this one will blow away the competition. game on. :usa:

 

[Blue Chips]

this one will blow away the competition. game on. :usa:

In what way/s?

And I'll bet it will be affordable

 

[cburg]

I love flying them! If only I had enough money...

They have a quick on/off door and a heater that beats any other.

These three pilots know their R-22's to a T. Like it or not, the Robinson is the most
popular small helicopter in the world. Fuel use approx. 70.00 an hour at 6.00 a gal.

http://youtu.be/uvgxBn8ms5I
R22 Aerobatics
youtube.com
It is absolutely amazing what these people can do with a Robinson R22 helicopter!

 

[Blue Chips]

If I had the money for a new experimental two place and they were available here, it would be the AK1-3 Aerocopter
Read that a dealership is in progress for California.

Here is a guy that is likely going to get himself in trouble with one.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RRwNa6r3hvg#t=63

 

[cburg]

Sounds intriguing…any new info?

http://www.rotaryforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=36587

SL-222

Heli can continue flight on one engine. Gross w.1415 lbs. (637 kg). Empty w.837lbs (377 kg). Pilot and passenger load 444 lbs. (200kg). Fuel capacity 21 gal (80liter). Cruise110 mph. Range 340 mile (550km). Rate of Climb 1710ft/min (9,5m/c). Service ceiling 15600 ft. Fuel consumption 6.2 gal/hr (23 liter/hr). The water cooled, 3 cylinder 2 stroke engines 90HP (each) with electrnc fuel injection run on 92 octane autofuel.$149,000

the guys at the mosquito factory are working on a two place ship. this one will blow away the competition. game on. :usa:

 

[WaspAir]

These three pilots know their R-22's to a T. Like it or not, the Robinson is the most
popular small helicopter in the world. Fuel use approx. 70.00 an hour at 6.00 a gal.

http://youtu.be/uvgxBn8ms5I
R22 Aerobatics
youtube.com
It is absolutely amazing what these people can do with a Robinson R22 helicopter!

That's the late Jim Cheatham featured in that video. I flew an R-44 with him when he was based in Salinas with Showcopters. He died in 2009.

 

[helicopter ed]

A Swiss group, Swiss Kopter Tech. has unveiled a small 2 place helo recently in the Dubai Airshow. They want to be competition to the R-22. Only one year old, they already went from 130 HP to 150. Three blade rotor. {In my next post watch a Schweitzer partically destroyed itself from ground resonance when this phenomenon rears its ugly head.}

 

[helicopter ed]

For education, this ground resonance example can even happen to experienced pilots with a three blade rotor. Once it starts its dance, it literally shakes itself to pieces. I flew a three blade Hughes articulated rotor on a gyro for years without a problem. The oleo struts on landing gear absorbed any resonance. But with rigid skids there is nothing to absorb bounce if it starts. Anyone experience this phenomenon on a Hughes or Enstrome?

http://youtu.be/Sa-nhqHmTm4