Mini 500 vs Mosquito, vs Rotorway

[Rattler 1]

Lately I've been thinking about maybe purchasing a new toy. I fly fixed wing and a Sport Copter but have always wanted a helicopter. That said, I'm not rich so these would be my options. I think. I would appreciate anyone with knowledge tell me the pros and cons of these. Steer me in the right direction so to speak. I know they are high maintenance and harder to fly. Are parts available for each? Which has better support? Which can fly 500 hours without major parts replacement. And which one fly's better. Like I said, I'm just getting started so any info is appreciated.

Thanks

 

[Countach]

Helicycle is supposedly back in production. Maybe add this to your list, unless you are against turbines.

 

[Rattler 1]

Helicycle is supposedly back in production. Maybe add this to your list, unless you are against turbines.

Yes, turbines are good. Helicycle would be great also

 

[GyroChuck]

I was interested in purchasing a Rotorway. I found one for a decent price. But when I checked insurance and I found it was around $12 grand a year I passed on it.

If you are interested in the Helicycle get a hold of Stan Foster here on the forum. He is a wealth of knowledge on the Helicycle.

As for the Mosquito, I am almost ready to get my XE 285 certified. So I can not comment on it's flight characteristics yet.

 

[bugflyer]

Don't forget MH-1 from Richard Hawkinberry, Hawk Racing LLC, Gilmer TX. A much upgraded Mini 500 with Yamaha Genesis engine.

smiles,
Charles

 

[lindandavid]

I bought one of his builds a couple of months ago. Very impressed with the workmanship, especially compared to the Mosquito I had for a short time. I am having tracking and balancing issues but hope to have that resolved soon. After 40 plus years flying helicopters I am anxious to get er going. If it doesn’t perform as I think it will I’ll go back to gyros.

 

[Greg Vos]

Here is a cheap Heli ( 10 K USD) for sale chuck it in a container and get it to you

Mini 500 Helicopter (SOLD) - AvCom

 

[Barney Bahle]

Mosquito and Rotorway both are current production machines that you can get parts for and have staff to answer questions, Revolution (Mini 500) went under 20 years ago. But keep in mind if you buy a 1982 Rotorway Exec don't expect the factory to have parts for it. They may have some stuff that will fit but it would be like expecting Chevy to have parts in stock for a 1982 Chevette. Many things have been changed, become obsolete, and/or been updated. Same for Mosquito, the head and tail rotor have changed a little over the years, I'm sure other things have too.

As a buyer it's up to you to do your homework and know what you are buying, or hire someone that does.

 

[Rattler 1]

Mosquito and Rotorway both are current production machines that you can get parts for and have staff to answer questions, Revolution (Mini 500) went under 20 years ago. But keep in mind if you buy a 1982 Rotorway Exec don't expect the factory to have parts for it. They may have some stuff that will fit but it would be like expecting Chevy to have parts in stock for a 1982 Chevette. Many things have been changed, become obsolete, and/or been updated. Same for Mosquito, the head and tail rotor have changed a little over the years, I'm sure other things have too.

As a buyer it's up to you to do your homework and know what you are buying, or hire someone that does.

Thanks, great info.

 

[Greg Vos]

Mosquito and Rotorway both are current production machines that you can get parts for and have staff to answer questions, Revolution (Mini 500) went under 20 years ago. But keep in mind if you buy a 1982 Rotorway Exec don't expect the factory to have parts for it. They may have some stuff that will fit but it would be like expecting Chevy to have parts in stock for a 1982 Chevette. Many things have been changed, become obsolete, and/or been updated. Same for Mosquito, the head and tail rotor have changed a little over the years, I'm sure other things have too.

As a buyer it's up to you to do your homework and know what you are buying, or hire someone that does.

Or be handy .. sadly many men today ( like my son in law to be ) are just cunts and are more at home with play station and a-hand bag Rant off ..for now

 

[WaspAir]

Be sure you understand the characteristics of helicopters of this ilk before investing. If you're looking for Robinson, Bell, or Schweizer utility and reliability, you may be disappointed. I've flown my Bell to many airshows at which these others arrived by trailer, and there's a message in that. If it's just going to be hobby (a new 'toy", as you said), you may be content.

 

[grevis]

As an existing Mosquito owner I would suggest watching the thread on the forum here by Oskar about his fully electric adaption of the Mosquito Air. The Mosquito has an superbly engineered rotorhead, ideal sensitivity in flight controls, and combine this with electric drivetrain to remove engine vibration issues, noise (and 2 stroke engine stoppages), its very interesting stuff.

 

[500e]

500 hours without major expense not with a pre owned utility R, B, or S no way, don't know about parts prices for the Mosquito, Mini or Rotoway , but product liability must come into the equation
Have hundreds of hours in the 300 and 500 owned a few nothing is cheap or getting cheaper, including insurance
Just a taster.
Schweizer 300C/C1 Tail Rotor Blades. Both blades have 374.4 hours total time, 8625 hours remaining. No accident history. Asking price is $7900 each.
Over £20,000 for engine re build

 

[Greg Vos]

500 hours without major expense not with a pre owned utility R, B, or S no way, don't know about parts prices for the Mosquito, Mini or Rotoway , but product liability must come into the equation
Have hundreds of hours in the 300 and 500 owned a few nothing is cheap or getting cheaper, including insurance
Just a taster.
Schweizer 300C/C1 Tail Rotor Blades. Both blades have 374.4 hours total time, 8625 hours remaining. No accident history. Asking price is $7900 each.
Over £20,000 for engine re build

Love it,hundreds of hours in the 500.. I assume MD 500…that’s the price of a modest house here in Cape Town

 

[Rattler 1]

Or be handy .. sadly many men today ( like my son in law to be ) are just cunts and are more at home with play station and a-hand bag Rant off ..for now

I’m quite handy. Can fix most anything mechanical. My career has been farm and construction equipment support all my life. Fixed many Rotax engines. Built one ultralight.

 

[Rattler 1]

Be sure you understand the characteristics of helicopters of this ilk before investing. If you're looking for Robinson, Bell, or Schweizer utility and reliability, you may be disappointed. I've flown my Bell to many airshows at which these others arrived by trailer, and there's a message in that. If it's just going to be hobby (a new 'toy", as you said), you may be content.

I know what you’re saying. It would be just a toy to fly around my home base. Probably a 10 mile radius.

 

[500e]

Possibly 2 Greg.
Here is a sobering No for a small locating pin

 

[Rattler 1]

Possibly 2 Greg.
Here is a sobering No for a small locating pin
View attachment 1155152

Unbelievable.

 

[Tyger]

That's not the price in rand, is it? 😬

 

[Greg Vos]

I’m quite handy. Can fix most anything mechanical. My career has been farm and construction equipment support all my life. Fixed many Rotax engines. Built one ultralight.

My advise is if your going helicopter please get the Ppl H done as part of the spend, Helicopters are very unforgiving and are more difficult to fly than any Fw or Gyroplane ( difficult is possibly not the word) challenging is better
Once you start playing with the collective and tail ( rudder input) you will see how that robs the power it’s best to get lessons in a Heli first before venturing out, a small home built Heli will kill you just as quickly as a MD 500 or Jetranger once your trained you will never regret it