LJS1993 Posted April 20, 2018 Report Share Posted April 20, 2018 Okay guys which one do you choose and why? Which one is mechanically the better helicopter? Pro's and con's? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric Hunt Posted April 20, 2018 Report Share Posted April 20, 2018 Better in what way? Only mechanically?Carries more?Goes faster?More economical?Easier to service? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
r22butters Posted April 20, 2018 Report Share Posted April 20, 2018 (edited) Wow, you must really be bored,...but ok then, you asked. The Enstrom I flew, an F280C, was, in essence, "Tonka tuff"! I was very impressed with how sturdy and indestructible it felt to fly,...as well as very impressed to hear it could take three 200lbs people and a full tank of gas, so,... If for some strange reason I wanted to take up a family member (excluding mother-in-law of course) I would chose the Enstrom over a 22, if of course I had the option and money was not an issue. Short answer, safety of my loved ones (I mean come on, the damn thing autos smoother than a 22 power on landing) plus a more comfortable cockpit for two! However, when it comes to working in a helicopter I would chose the 44,...simply because I wanted to fly tours, and I'd much rather have two rubes behind (rather than next) to me. Though if I could have landed an Enstrom pipeline job, I would not have insisted they switch to a Robby. That being said,... For myself, as a solo renter, just killing time enjoying the city lights and coastal sunsets,... NOTHING BEATS THE R22! Solo, its just simply too much fun to fly! Ok, just one more thing; The Enstrom (like its counterpart the S300) is not as quick to respond to cyclic inputs as the 22 (or 44 for that matter) which is one of the main reasons I like the 22 so much. The 22 is quick, nimble, and agile (and any other synonym you can think of) by comparison the Enstrom felt a bit sluggish,...which sure, denotes better stability, but also translates as, "not as much fun to fly". Edited April 20, 2018 by r22butters 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LJS1993 Posted April 20, 2018 Author Report Share Posted April 20, 2018 Better in what way? Only mechanically?Carries more?Goes faster?More economical?Easier to service? Any aspect you can think of Eric. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric Hunt Posted April 21, 2018 Report Share Posted April 21, 2018 I only have about 10 hours in the Enstrom, and I hated every one of them. The interior was worse than a 70s car, with stick-on fake woodgrain peeling off, switches that were flimsy, the cabin just shook like a wet dog, it was an absolute mongrel to re-start when still hot.... just hated it. Only flown the R44 once on a demo/sales flight, wasn't impressed by it, but it was the absolute first version out, with what seemed to be a lump of concrete stuck onto the top of the cyclic pole, and a stupid movement-following auto trim, which was so slow that it only caused a feedback loop - I turned off the auto bit and just used the manual trim occasionally. Didn't buy one. Got 1300 hrs or so on the R22, a good machine for the purpose it was designed for, simple transport, but it does OK as a trainer, within limits. All of them look like garbage compared to the new-ish Cabri, but I have no experience of it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LJS1993 Posted April 21, 2018 Author Report Share Posted April 21, 2018 I only have about 10 hours in the Enstrom, and I hated every one of them. The interior was worse than a 70s car, with stick-on fake woodgrain peeling off, switches that were flimsy, the cabin just shook like a wet dog, it was an absolute mongrel to re-start when still hot.... just hated it. Only flown the R44 once on a demo/sales flight, wasn't impressed by it, but it was the absolute first version out, with what seemed to be a lump of concrete stuck onto the top of the cyclic pole, and a stupid movement-following auto trim, which was so slow that it only caused a feedback loop - I turned off the auto bit and just used the manual trim occasionally. Didn't buy one. Got 1300 hrs or so on the R22, a good machine for the purpose it was designed for, simple transport, but it does OK as a trainer, within limits. All of them look like garbage compared to the new-ish Cabri, but I have no experience of it. Maybe the new models are nice? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric Hunt Posted April 22, 2018 Report Share Posted April 22, 2018 Yes, the new models are a quantum leap from the pile of rattles I flew in '88. And the turbine will have got rid of that ridiculous rubber band and pull-handle clutch. Bonus. But being retired, I am happy not to have to fly anything any more. Sit in business class with a glass of Canadian Club and watch a movie. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LJS1993 Posted April 26, 2018 Author Report Share Posted April 26, 2018 Yes, the new models are a quantum leap from the pile of rattles I flew in '88. And the turbine will have got rid of that ridiculous rubber band and pull-handle clutch. Bonus. But being retired, I am happy not to have to fly anything any more. Sit in business class with a glass of Canadian Club and watch a movie. You don't miss it Eric? Do you still fly for fun? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric Hunt Posted April 26, 2018 Report Share Posted April 26, 2018 Don't miss it at all - 45 years and 15,000 hrs was enough. Now, the only in-flight decisions I need to make are which wine to have with the entree, and which movie to watch before I have a nap. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mountain Marauder Posted February 19, 2021 Report Share Posted February 19, 2021 Look at the NTSB fatal accident reports for both then make your decision. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adam32 Posted February 19, 2021 Report Share Posted February 19, 2021 10 hours ago, Mountain Marauder said: Look at the NTSB fatal accident reports for both then make your decision. That doesn't mean much since probably 10x more Robbies exist than Enstroms. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mountain Marauder Posted February 19, 2021 Report Share Posted February 19, 2021 6 hours ago, adam32 said: That doesn't mean much since probably 10x more Robbies exist than Enstroms. Yes, I suppose one would have to do ratios for an accurate comparison. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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