spubar44 Posted November 3, 2009 Report Share Posted November 3, 2009 i have found a mini 500 that i really like. YES, i know they are known for alot of problems, but i wanted to ask you what i have seen. When they say in the ad if it has all updates, does that mean that all the problem items were corrected? what do you think about it if they are corrected? Also the majority of the problems, stemmed from the engine vibrations and the others, just poor design. What if i got a turbine and swapped the old motor out with it? I just like the looks of the mini 500, but if i coulbn't make it safe, i sure wouldn't stake my like on one and just go with another type. thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dreamin of a Commuter 2B Posted November 3, 2009 Report Share Posted November 3, 2009 (edited) i have found a mini 500 that i really like. YES, i know they are known for alot of problems, but i wanted to ask you what i have seen. When they say in the ad if it has all updates, does that mean that all the problem items were corrected? what do you think about it if they are corrected? Also the majority of the problems, stemmed from the engine vibrations and the others, just poor design. What if i got a turbine and swapped the old motor out with it? I just like the looks of the mini 500, but if i coulbn't make it safe, i sure wouldn't stake my like on one and just go with another type. thanks Check out this company, they are installing a 120 h.p. yamaha sled engine into the Mini-500 they are also now making parts, but from what I understand he is slow to get the parts out. http://www.millenniumhelicopters.com/ probably when the ad says updated it means it has the mast support upgrade, and that is a must have, and the PEP kit, which was a custom muffler system that gave you more power. now the problem is some people installed the PEP kit but did not change the carb jets and this caused Issues. go to www.rotaryforum.com and do a search for Mini-500. Dennis Fetter him self is on the Forum and has been nice enough to answer any questions regarding the Mini-500 and any issues it had. you can also E-mail Dennis privately from the Forum and he will write you back. what kind of price are they asking for the one you have found? I think with the parts being made again, now is the time to grab up one of these old hanger queens and bring it back to life. btw my single seat commuter jr. will be for sale soon for well under $30,000 Edited November 3, 2009 by Dreamin of a Commuter 2B Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1badz32 Posted November 3, 2009 Report Share Posted November 3, 2009 Awsome, love the mini 500's... even if every one think's they're death trap's. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dreamin of a Commuter 2B Posted November 3, 2009 Report Share Posted November 3, 2009 (edited) here is a pic of the Mini-500 with the 120 sled engine. Edited November 3, 2009 by Dreamin of a Commuter 2B Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1badz32 Posted November 3, 2009 Report Share Posted November 3, 2009 Cool, that looks like a 4stroke engine (vs. the old 2 stroke)... awsome. My idea is to buy up a nice mini, and install a hyabusa 1300cc 4stroke EFI engine in it.... i believe they're 160hp stock, and being a "crotch rocket" engine, are biult and designed to reach and maintain high RPM's. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dreamin of a Commuter 2B Posted November 3, 2009 Report Share Posted November 3, 2009 (edited) Cool, that looks like a 4stroke engine (vs. the old 2 stroke)... awsome. My idea is to buy up a nice mini, and install a hyabusa 1300cc 4stroke EFI engine in it.... i believe they're 160hp stock, and being a "crotch rocket" engine, are biult and designed to reach and maintain high RPM's. well make sure it is about the same weight so you don't have weight and balance issues, the yamaha sled engine is very light weight. I will post the link here in for the thread about it converted and tested in my buddy's Gyroplane. so far 60 hours and no issues. this Engine I think will be the key to the Mini -500 here is the link, alot to read, but it is full of great info. http://www.rotaryforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=16100 Edited November 3, 2009 by Dreamin of a Commuter 2B Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1badz32 Posted November 3, 2009 Report Share Posted November 3, 2009 well make sure it is about the same weight so you don't have weight and balance issues, the yamaha sled engine is very light weight. hrm... i'd guess it may be up to 100lbs heavier, and it's transmission is intergrated.... the yamaha engine is prolly the much better way to go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goldy Posted November 5, 2009 Report Share Posted November 5, 2009 What do you call an upgraded typewriter? Oh yeah, that would still be a typewriter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spubar44 Posted November 5, 2009 Author Report Share Posted November 5, 2009 cmon goldy, thats not fair. yes a typewriter upgraded would still be a typewriter, but the part that was bad in the typewriter upgraded would make it just as operable as a normal one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spubar44 Posted November 5, 2009 Author Report Share Posted November 5, 2009 i love the helicycles and the mosquito, but if i can get an upgraded mini 500 for 15-20,000 and then change the engine out for a turbine for around 10,000 then it would be exactly what i am looking for. I love the turbine's the mosquito and helicycle have, which a turbine is what i want and the look the mini 500 have is awesome and what i like. So roughly get what i want for around 30,000, or a mosquito or helicycle for 50-60k. I am in the military and not rich, but still want to keep it safe. I am looking at doing this to get my time for commercial and further for hours and turbine hours and something to have to show for it, instead of paying someone this amount to fly in theirs. I can train myself with the book stuff and i just need the flying experience. this will be after i finish my private that i am currently doing in an r-22. I have done all the ground training myself and only have 20 hours flight time right now. I just took the FAA written exam to get it out of the way and passed with a 98%, only missed one, not bad i guess, still not a 100. I want this bad and can't get enough, so i am diving in head first 100%. so anyway. you have my idea of what i am trying to do. I am sure i am not the first one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adam32 Posted November 5, 2009 Report Share Posted November 5, 2009 So roughly get what i want for around 30,000, or a mosquito or helicycle for 50-60k. Just buy my Hiller...at least its certified so you'll be able to take your checkrides in it... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1badz32 Posted November 5, 2009 Report Share Posted November 5, 2009 What do you call an upgraded typewriter? A personal computer? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goldy Posted November 5, 2009 Report Share Posted November 5, 2009 (edited) cmon goldy, thats not fair. yes a typewriter upgraded would still be a typewriter, but the part that was bad in the typewriter upgraded would make it just as operable as a normal one. Point is- no matter what you add, or what engine you have, its still a mini. Personally, and its just me, I like flying a certified aircraft that many people before me have died in to make it safer. Not that I like tragedy, but I prefer to learn from it. You want to get some cheap hours, go buy a cheap R22 and fly the crap out of it. There's an old HP that was just overhauled...so you have 2150 plus hours to go on it, for about 60-65K. You can sell it for 20K timed out. Thats a whopping 40 or 45K invested for over 2000 hours of flight time (insurance, fuel, maintenance not included, your mileage may vary, check with your attorney before you sue me). $20 bucks an hour to fly an R22, even with the other costs added in, is pretty cheap time. Goldy Edited November 5, 2009 by Goldy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dreamin of a Commuter 2B Posted November 5, 2009 Report Share Posted November 5, 2009 Subar44, if you really want a good safe time builder I will gladly sell you my Helicom Commuter H1B for under $30,000 I bought it just to fix up and resell as I am not even helicopter rated and I have my heart set on a Helicom Commuter 2B that I located a few years ago. My helicom Commuter H1B is fully legal and just needs it's conditional inspection. it is powered by a true aircraft engine Cont. C90-12F converted to an 0-200 100 h.p. I had bought the helicopter becouse I had a guy that said he would buy it from me as a time builder, but last week he E-mailed me and backed out of the agreement. I hope to test run the Helicopter this weekend as my blade bolts will be here later today. if all runs right I will then start listing it for sale. this would be a great time builder as it will be very cheap to fly but is also very well built. it is the fore father of the baby belle/Safari helicopters. if you think you would be intrested just let me know,I would like to see someone get it that will fly it and enjoy it for the great machine it is. it has a very rich history and was even flown by the designer of the Commuter harold "pop" emigh.and was also later even owned by Timarand (sp) helicopters, the company that bought out the Helicom design back in the mid 80's this helicopter is a collectors item. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cyclic rodeo Posted November 5, 2009 Report Share Posted November 5, 2009 Just buy my Hiller...at least its certified so you'll be able to take your checkrides in it... and be able to do commercial ops in it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IFLY Posted November 5, 2009 Report Share Posted November 5, 2009 What do you call an upgraded typewriter? Oh yeah, that would still be a typewriter.Keyboard/Printer interface? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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