Helo Training

[9GClub]

Anybody got some advice about civilian helo training (R22)? Obviously it's more expensive than fixed-wing, but I think I wanna give that a shot first. How about training (fixed or rotary) outside the U.S.? I was down in South Africa last summer, and the price was right.... but how about quality of instruction? Anyone wanna make some sweeping generalizations?

 

[mattpilot]

Here's a generalization: All R22's suck


No seriously.... Although the R22 is the most popular and widely used training helicopter, it is a VLH - or very light helicopter - and extremely small. It also has a "non-conventional" flight control system. To get more info about the R22, visit www.pprune.com and check out the Rotorcraft forum. You will find a few posts by engineers, and from Frank Robinson (the R22 designer) himself.

My personal opinion is, and most Robinson lovers will disagree, is to find a "real" helicopter for training. Like say a schweizer or a Bell47. Plenty out there. Only downside with training in a Non-R22 helicopter is that employment as an instructor will be more difficult, since it is most widely used.

 

[Birdstrike]

Here's a link to a similar question on the justhelicopters.com BB that may also be of some help to you...

http://www.justhelicopters.com/talkshop/messages/166893.html