LJS1993 Posted April 6, 2018 Report Share Posted April 6, 2018 Is there a "Cessna 172" equivalent aircraft in the helicopter world? By that I mean a helicopter that is considered very stable for a beginning pilot and simply known as a rock solid entry level aircraft? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thedude Posted April 6, 2018 Report Share Posted April 6, 2018 No such thing as a stable helicopter and a beginning pilot. Airplanes actually want to fly and are good at doing it without much pilot input, helicopters not so much. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric Hunt Posted April 6, 2018 Report Share Posted April 6, 2018 Bell 47 was reasonably stable, for a helicopter. But helicopters are by nature dynamically unstable, though in forward flight there is some stability in yaw. Aeroplanes are designed to fly, and will do so, unless some dopey pilot interferes with it and makes it crash. Helicopters are designed to crash, and will do so, if the dopey pilot forgets to fly it. If your analogy is for a "very common" trainer, like the Cessna, it would probably be the R22, but it certainly ain't stable. Rock solid? More like eggshell fragile. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TailEndCharlie Posted April 6, 2018 Report Share Posted April 6, 2018 R44 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
takefootoff Posted April 6, 2018 Report Share Posted April 6, 2018 300Cbi 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike0331 Posted April 6, 2018 Report Share Posted April 6, 2018 Isn't the Cabri G2 supposed to be the best thing since sliced bread for new pilots? Not exactly like it's super common though (yet). I've taken one lesson in an R44 an one in an R22. The R44 was significantly more comfortable to fly. That said, I'm glad the army will be picking up the rest of the tab and using something that feels a bit less like it will fall out of the sky. Sorry Butters. Mike 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mudkow60 Posted April 6, 2018 Report Share Posted April 6, 2018 For us Navy, Marine, Coast Guard (and some foreign national's), it's the good old TH-57 (B206)... 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
r22butters Posted April 6, 2018 Report Share Posted April 6, 2018 The Enstrom F280C. Its built like a tank, can accommodate the fatties, and autos so slow and smooth you'll think you're doing a power on running landing! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RisePilot Posted April 6, 2018 Report Share Posted April 6, 2018 The Enstrom F280C Yes, but unlike the C172, these are far from ubiquitous. I've been flying helicopters privately for 12yrs and have flown in UK, Spain, France, South Africa, Australia and the US - I've never encountered an Enstrom except once in a static display at an expo. I've seen photos on the internet, but where all these Enstroms? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
r22butters Posted April 6, 2018 Report Share Posted April 6, 2018 Yes, but unlike the C172, these are far from ubiquitous.[/size] I've been flying helicopters privately for 12yrs and have flown in UK, Spain, France, South Africa, Australia and the US - I've never encountered an Enstrom except once in a static display at an expo. [/size] I've seen photos on the internet, but where all these Enstroms?[/size]San Carlos, California, northwest ramp, in front of a Burger King. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
avbug Posted April 6, 2018 Report Share Posted April 6, 2018 Airplanes actually want to fly and are good at doing it without much pilot input, helicopters not so much. That really depends on the airplane. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thedude Posted April 7, 2018 Report Share Posted April 7, 2018 That really depends on the airplane.It’s obviously a broad generalization but it is still generally true. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.