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Which is better?

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judow

judow

Darth Vader - R.I.P
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Thinking about a recreational helicopter. (Yes I'm in agreement with husband) We have talked about piston driven or turbine. I'm leaning toward turbine. Doug hasn't committed yet.

We both realize that this is a rather pricey toy but given the events of the last 4-5 months we each had an aha moment. Today is a given, tomorrow is a blessing. If one can reasonably afford a want then that's what should be done. Children can turn property into dollars.

All opinions welcomed.
 
Wow - I've never even known anyone who could afford their own airplane or helicopter. Congrats! Pistons tend to be simpler and less expensive than turbine powerplants.

Helicopter control is very different from airplanes - so there's a big learning curve to think about. Might also consider rotorcraft such as gyrocopter, which is a heck of a lot less expensive than a helicopter or airplane:


One thing I'd probably do if I could afford it - contribute funds, or an aircraft, to a young person's aviation program or cadet CAP program in the area. That way you're giving the adventure to others.

Tom M.
 
We are talking Rotorway and the like. Not really as expensive as one might think. Doug has an A&P license and is type rated in a helicopter. We are talking a rather simple 2 seater which will fit in the shop. Also I really don’t want us involved in another frame-off restoration. Two is enough. We like the cars we have and we have just enough to drive and enjoy. This is just an additional recreation vehicle. If we lived on the water we probably would have considered a sailboat. As to donating funds or aircraft, that is something to think about when we pass right now we are looking to enjoying today.
 
Oh bother... any rotor-wing thing is inherently designed to KILL you. Go for the traditionally acceptable sailboat option! The world is open to you, it just takes longer.
 
I agree with doc.... rotorcraft are great IF you are proficient at the controls but in my estimation they are not at all aerodynamically safe with limited power (or no power). Yes, I know about rotor disconnects but wings and tail surfaces are your friend when things go south.
Not sure I would want to build a kit helo. Do you happen to have a pilot license? IF not, maybe find a flight instructor and go take some lessons before making a decision.
 
Elliot, Doug is rated for whirlybirds.

Judy, I'd go with a gyrocopter just because I think they are cool.
 
waltesefalcon said:
Elliot, Doug is rated for whirlybirds.
Click to expand...

I wasn’t questioning Doug’s abilities, but I got the feeling that Judy was looking to be PIC.
Gyrocopters: cool does not equal safe.
 
And just to add some fuel to the fire ... Judy was asking for opinions on turbine vs piston engines.

just sayin' ...
 
I have a helicopter commercial license and flight instructor, many hours in piston and turbo, anyone in full physical form can fly one with proper training, to fly one safely also takes common sense. A helicopter can be glided without power to a safe landing in forward motion. I know of two fatality's in homebuilts, I would never even attempt to fly a homebuilt rotor-craft. Get a lot of education before buying one, know all the expenses that occur in owning a helicopter. There are many parts in a helo that are time sensitive, used or not and they are very expensive. Talk to owners, not sales people about flying and maintaining them. Not trying to scare you away, just trying to eliminate expensive surprises. I learned to fly in one like the Mash crew used in Korea, old Bell G with wooden blades.

Piston verses Turbines, turbines will fly higher, turbines have more lifting power, both will do the job properly in private flying, but take note turbines cost a lot more and maintenance is 4 times more expensive. PJ

A friend just replaced his turbine in one of his AG planes, $60,000!
 
Still looking for more input but need to qualify. Doug has Over 26,000 hours of flight time type rated helicopter and seaplane and to 737. It is qualified. Continues to hold instructor license and is typed A&P. (Geez even I’m impressed.) Indeed I met Doug when he taught me to fly. Also I’m a happy passenger.

Really wanted the merits of piston vs turbines. Helicopter is pretty much a given.
 
Judy - are you planning to be pilot of the helicopter?

Tom M.
 
Paul's advice would seem to come down on the piston side.

Never been in a Helicopter but have a lot of glider hours. Flying is great. Commercial not so much these days more like being herded like cattle.

Good luck with your decision and purchase.

David
 
Judy, the turbine rotor craft are a little easier to control as you don't have to constantly monitor RPMs as in a piston type. Flying a turbine powered unit is, how can I say this, more user friendly. I used to love to fly them, I flew a lot of Bell Jet Rangers with auto stabilizing systems in them, very relaxing to fly. PJ
 
PAUL161 said:
Judy, the turbine rotor craft are a little easier to control as you don't have to constantly monitor RPMs as in a piston type. Flying a turbine powered unit is, how can I say this, more user friendly. I used to love to fly them, I flew a lot of Bell Jet Rangers with auto stabilizing systems in them, very relaxing to fly. PJ
Click to expand...

We are leaning towards turbine and if we choose piston will have to add turbo because of elevation. We are at 7,000 feet and to clear mountains would need at least 14,000 feet. Doubt I would ever pilot. I am a very happy passenger. Some things are better left to the professionals - like driving Agatha. :smile: Also Doug is quite capable of. maintenance and/or turbine replacement. I understand that at 2000 hours turbine refurb/replacement is recommended. I have seen Doug do things that I was impressed with. He did a total frame off restoration of his '56 Dodge truck and kept all original. When he was in doubt he got a professional. He's just a left handed Polish Pilot but I wouldn't trade him for the world. I know, I know - a tad gushy!

P.S. Paul - you're almost in our backyard. We'd love to have you as a houseguest. We'll put you up in the little house or the shop. If you bring your wife, the little house would be perfect. Just saying.
 
Thank you Judy, very nice of you to suggest such an offer. The wife and I are pretty much house bound, as our little Maltese is a diabetic and needs her shots twice a day and we like to keep her fairly close to her vet, just in case. It has changed our lifestyle immensely. Again, thank you for your kindness. Now saying that, I hope your health is improving. with kind regards, Paul
 
If it were me I would stay away from a Robinson r66
thy should be sold with a fire suit
 
I have nothing useful to add to the discussion.

So I'll just throw in some completely worthless babble.

I have heard that the strict engine rebuild/replace rules for aircraft have led to a substantial surplus of old, no longer certified for flight but still perfectly functional engines. This in turn had led to a proliferation of turboshaft powered boats, pickup trucks and the occasional motorcycle in areas of heavy helicopter usage (such as the oil rig rich Gulf Coast).

Our family's ancestral home (if you consider the place we moved when I was a teenager "ancestral") is near the Robinson Helicopter plant. Old man Robinson lived in the high-zoot neighborhood with all the rich folks "up on the hill." Apparently, some of his neighbors didn't appreciate Robinson's morning commute, i.e. using one of his products to travel from his home to his office. When they complained to authorities they were told that it wasn't illegal and he was completely within his rights to do so. Eventually, he started driving just to be nice. (I was rooting for him to keep flying.)

About a week ago, I was standing on the MASH helipad. It was very cool. I highly recommend it. The series was filmed in what is now Malibu Creek State Park, on ranch land formerly owned by 20th Century Fox Studios. The hike out to the MASH set is about a five mile round trip and follows Malibu Creek.
 
There's so much in this thread. SD Bugeye has it right about those Robinson things.

Rats! I've logged time in UH-!'s, HH-53's, "S**thooks" and OH-thingies, and would NEVER sit in a rotor-wing aircraft again. Look into a Burt Rutan fixed-wing design for the transporter! Been in auto-rotate circumstances and lived only because the WO at the helm had "gone in", in V.N. more than once and survived... long story, but; Knowing Doug has plenty of stick time still doesn't mean the machine itself ain't designed to KILL you! I had time in gyrocopters as a youth. Picking "alternates" was a passtime. Time in everything from Cessna 150's with th' stall buzzer sceaming to Citabrias spiralling into th' sun. My take is, consider a fixed-wing flyer.

But just so's ya know, consider; Rutan is my hero, his designs are nearly bulletproof. In spite of John Denver's amateurish stupidity, the design is sound. You will get to where you want to go.
 
My son bought a Vari-EZ, had it for a short time. Took me up for a ride once, against my better judgement and if the cabin area was any smaller I would have had to grease my sides to get into it! He had it for about a month and sold it, he didn't like it either. It had a very critical CG, so much so that the weight of a passenger would affect it's flight characteristics quit a bit. Like I said, I only went up in it once! :rolleyes2: PJ
 
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