HeloJunkie Posted September 1, 2009 Report Share Posted September 1, 2009 Just thought I would share with everyone that I finally purchased an MD500e (N52550) and flew it from Miami Florida to Carlsbad California in two days (20.1 flight hours) used 547.57 gallons of Jet-A in the process. The lowest I paid for Jet A was $2.99 and the highest was $4.99/gallon. Myself and Chin Tu of Civic Helicopters in Carlsbad California made the trip. I flew all but about two hours of the total flight time. It was a fantastic flight, no mechanical problems, no weather problems other than a few rain showers and everyone along the entire was fantastic to us. The ship runs like a dream and will eventually get new paint, new interior and a reworking of the panel and radios. For those interested, my route of flight was: DAY ONEOpa Locka (KOPF) to Cross City (KCTY) (2.6 Hours - 71.57 Gallons Jet-A) (50 Ft. MSL)KCTY - Mobile AL (KBFM) (2.6 Hobbs & 75 Gallons)KBFM - Alexndria, LA (KAEX) (2.3 Hobbs & 69 Gallons)KAEX - Waxahache, TX (KJWY) (2.2 Hobbs & 63 Gallons) DAY TWOKJWY - Lubbock, TX (KLUB) (2.6 Hobbs & 70 Gallons)KLUB - Belen, MN (E80) (2.3 Hobbs & 64 Gallons) (5200 Ft. MSL)E80 - Deer Valley (Phoenix) AZ (DVT) (2.7 Hobbs & 67 Gallons)DVT - Carlsbad CA (KCRQ) (2.8 Hobbs & 68 Gallons) The highest altitude we hit was just over 10,000' going over mountains going into Belen, NM. START FINISH You can view all the pictures of the trip here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BOATFIXERGUY Posted September 1, 2009 Report Share Posted September 1, 2009 Nice! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rotorrodent Posted September 1, 2009 Report Share Posted September 1, 2009 Just thought I would share with everyone that I finally purchased an MD500e (N52550) and flew it from Miami Florida to Carlsbad California in two days (20.1 flight hours) used 547.57 gallons of Jet-A in the process. The lowest I paid for Jet A was $2.99 and the highest was $4.99/gallon. Myself and Chin Tu of Civic Helicopters in Carlsbad California made the trip. I flew all but about two hours of the total flight time. It was a fantastic flight, no mechanical problems, no weather problems other than a few rain showers and everyone along the entire was fantastic to us. The ship runs like a dream and will eventually get new paint, new interior and a reworking of the panel and radios. ***************** Very nice indeed! However, where are all of the bugs on the plexiglass?? All the best with your new toy! Cheers Rotorrodent Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rjl2001 Posted September 1, 2009 Report Share Posted September 1, 2009 Congratulations on the new ship. I've always loved the MD500, and I've heard they're great flying helicopters. I enjoyed the pictures, and noticed you flew right by my workplace at the Destin airport. Maybe you can give us an update in the future if you get the new paint/interior. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AngelFire_91 Posted September 1, 2009 Report Share Posted September 1, 2009 That's one awsome looking bird! Congrats on the new purchase! That looks like an amazing flight too. I would also like to point out that you have the EXACT same shoes I do. haha. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edspilot Posted September 1, 2009 Report Share Posted September 1, 2009 HeloJunkie: I've said it before and I'll say it again: When I grow up I want to be just like you!!!!!!!!!!! Outstanding! One good looking ship and I'm sure you will make it "one great looking and flying ship" too. As always, keep us posted on all of "personal" upgrades. "STOP Smiling" so much. Oh, never mind..... Be safe, edspilot Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CharyouTree Posted September 1, 2009 Report Share Posted September 1, 2009 My goodness. I wish I could fly for two hours and use only 60 gallons of fuel. Makes me miss training, and a 25 GPH fuel flow. Now I'm at 850 lbs/hr. She's a nice little helicopter. I'm more than slightly jealous. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RkyMtnHI Posted September 1, 2009 Report Share Posted September 1, 2009 Nice looking ship, thanks for the photos... yep, guess i'm pretty jealous as well!! Thanks for sharing... wish i would have known you were coming by we would have flown down for lunch!! aloha, dp Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HeloJunkie Posted September 1, 2009 Author Report Share Posted September 1, 2009 Congratulations on the new ship. I've always loved the MD500, and I've heard they're great flying helicopters. I enjoyed the pictures, and noticed you flew right by my workplace at the Destin airport. Maybe you can give us an update in the future if you get the new paint/interior. Will Do! I have a guy working on several paint designs now so we will see what he comes up with ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HeloJunkie Posted September 1, 2009 Author Report Share Posted September 1, 2009 Nice looking ship, thanks for the photos... yep, guess i'm pretty jealous as well!! Thanks for sharing... wish i would have known you were coming by we would have flown down for lunch!! aloha, dp Yea, we were moving pretty fast - trying to make it home in two days!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HeloJunkie Posted September 1, 2009 Author Report Share Posted September 1, 2009 My goodness. I wish I could fly for two hours and use only 60 gallons of fuel. Makes me miss training, and a 25 GPH fuel flow. Now I'm at 850 lbs/hr. She's a nice little helicopter. I'm more than slightly jealous. Geeze..what are you flying..? I went from 14 GPH in my R44 to 190 lbs per hour in the 500 and was a little surprised even though I knew it was coming. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HeloJunkie Posted September 1, 2009 Author Report Share Posted September 1, 2009 HeloJunkie: I've said it before and I'll say it again: When I grow up I want to be just like you!!!!!!!!!!! Outstanding! One good looking ship and I'm sure you will make it "one great looking and flying ship" too. As always, keep us posted on all of "personal" upgrades. "STOP Smiling" so much. Oh, never mind..... Be safe, edspilot Thanks edspilot !! I have a lot of plans for this one and I think I could see myself flying her in 20 years so there are some modifications I want to do. I will keep everyone posted ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HeloJunkie Posted September 1, 2009 Author Report Share Posted September 1, 2009 That's one awsome looking bird! Congrats on the new purchase! That looks like an amazing flight too. I would also like to point out that you have the EXACT same shoes I do. haha. Thanks !! And great choice on the shoes !! Too Funny. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deerock Posted September 1, 2009 Report Share Posted September 1, 2009 yeah, definitely keep us updated. I've always liked the MD500 as well and hope to own one of those in the future. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deerock Posted September 1, 2009 Report Share Posted September 1, 2009 yeah, definitely keep us updated. I've always liked the MD500 as well and hope to own one of those in the future. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CharyouTree Posted September 1, 2009 Report Share Posted September 1, 2009 Geeze..what are you flying..? I went from 14 GPH in my R44 to 190 lbs per hour in the 500 and was a little surprised even though I knew it was coming. UH-60 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
121.todd Posted September 2, 2009 Report Share Posted September 2, 2009 That picture of the houses built around the "lake", is called SunLakes. I fly over it maybe 4 times a week for 2 years now and I never paid attention to it till I saw the photo. Great album, and looked like a great trip! Never seen anyone snoozing in a heli cockpit before! Thanks for sharing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
copter doctor Posted September 2, 2009 Report Share Posted September 2, 2009 Beautiful helo. You have definatly made several of us jealous. Enjoy and keep us posted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DynamicallyUnstable Posted September 2, 2009 Report Share Posted September 2, 2009 Richard, THATS WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT!!!What a sweet machine, nice choice. I'll have to join you sometime and buzz that baby around. Very sweet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goldy Posted September 2, 2009 Report Share Posted September 2, 2009 Congrats Richard! You should fly it up to TOA and meet up with Jon, who has a 500E. Let me know if you ever do cause I'll fly the 44 down and say hi! BTW- What's gonna happen to the sweet 44 you built up ? Goldy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HeloJunkie Posted September 2, 2009 Author Report Share Posted September 2, 2009 Congrats Richard! You should fly it up to TOA and meet up with Jon, who has a 500E. Let me know if you ever do cause I'll fly the 44 down and say hi! BTW- What's gonna happen to the sweet 44 you built up ? Goldy Hey Goldy - That sounds like a good idea...we will have to put that together. My goal will be to sell the R44 eventually but for now I am going to keep it. While the ship I purchased is in fantastic shape, there are a slew of mods and STCs I want to put on it along with new panel, new interior and new paint. So I figure I have a project helicopter for at least 6 months!! After that I will start to market the R44. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HeloJunkie Posted September 2, 2009 Author Report Share Posted September 2, 2009 UH-60 Ah - so someone else pays the fuel tab then right..? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HeloJunkie Posted September 2, 2009 Author Report Share Posted September 2, 2009 That picture of the houses built around the "lake", is called SunLakes. I fly over it maybe 4 times a week for 2 years now and I never paid attention to it till I saw the photo. Great album, and looked like a great trip! Never seen anyone snoozing in a heli cockpit before! Thanks for sharing. 121.todd - It was an amazing area. I have tons of high-def video as well that will eventually make it onto my YouTube site. I'll post a link once I start putting them up! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HeloJunkie Posted September 2, 2009 Author Report Share Posted September 2, 2009 Richard, THATS WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT!!!What a sweet machine, nice choice. I'll have to join you sometime and buzz that baby around. Very sweet. Thanks Sebastian - It was the next (and hopefully final) logical step for me in the helicopter world. The folks I talk to with 500s never want to leave them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pohi Posted September 2, 2009 Report Share Posted September 2, 2009 Congrats on the new ship, and well done on the flight time. To do the cross country flight in two days is a pretty good accomplishment, one of those somewhat rare situations where the flight goes exactly as the flight planning :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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