Whistlerpilot Posted March 11, 2014 Posted March 11, 2014 Here is a helicopter that piques my interest. It looks like it will be a game changer in the "intermediate" class. Will out perform the 407 possibly even 407GX, and the AS350 B3. The EC 130 B4 with T2 engine might come close, but the SKYe09 still looks the best. Should be a great all round helicopter. http://www.verticalmag.com/news/article/26991#.Ux5ty4WwXg8 1 Quote
HeliNomad Posted March 11, 2014 Posted March 11, 2014 I'd like to hear you online experts talk about the following: -Tail rotor design with no stators-Honeywell engine with no TBO-211 gallon capacity boasting 5+ hours of endurance-9 person hi density seating-Enstrom style rotor head....-$3.1 million price tag Go.... Quote
aeroscout Posted March 11, 2014 Posted March 11, 2014 I'd like to hear you online experts talk about the following: -Tail rotor design with no stators-Honeywell engine with no TBO-211 gallon capacity boasting 5+ hours of endurance-9 person hi density seating-Enstrom style rotor head....-$3.1 million price tag Go....I'd like to see one like that too. Quote
adam32 Posted March 11, 2014 Posted March 11, 2014 Until they test fly one they can have the best specs in the world but it won't mean diddly... 2 Quote
McGavin Posted March 11, 2014 Posted March 11, 2014 I saw this aircraft at HAI. It was so good looking, i thought it was mockup. I spoke to a few Swiss guys who gave me performance numbers that sounded too good to be true. I would like to fly one. Oh yeah, the Swiss didn't like me calling the "ducted fan" tail rotor design a Fenestron. 1 Quote
HeliNomad Posted March 11, 2014 Posted March 11, 2014 I saw this aircraft at HAI. It was so good looking, i thought it was mockup. I spoke to a few Swiss guys who gave me performance numbers that sounded too good to be true. I would like to fly one. Oh yeah, the Swiss didn't like me calling the "ducted fan" tail rotor design a Fenestron.Haha I got slapped by them for that also...especially when I asked why this fenestron didnt have stators? Quote
aussiecop Posted March 11, 2014 Posted March 11, 2014 I was with Guy doing the video on this helicopter when he was doing the interview, I crawled all over that bird. Not going purely on specs, once this bird is operational, I'd kill to try it out. The see through panels on the floor will be great for visibility as will the doors with visibility to the ground. It's like a baby sized 135/145, but if their projections come true and the aircraft makes it to market, I can see it being a winner in at least some markets. Quote
arotrhd Posted March 11, 2014 Posted March 11, 2014 Yup, all about what markets it will ultimately serve best in. I admire their dedication to the "swiss army knife" approach (no pun needed), but, if it tries to please all, it will please none. I also have thought that the performance #'s are very optimistic, but if they are able to pull that rabbit out of the hat...more power to them (pun intended). Roy Morgan from AirM was giving the gents some thoughts for med interior hard points when I was there, and I could very much see the interest in that sector as well for AirM's growth. Patient access & med eqt for med crew is another topic. It was nice to compare the mockup last year and have a realistic touchy-feely experience this year. Liked the design simplicity, integration of contemporary features and human interface elements (speaking as a former industrial designer), i.e exterior access for engine, overall top side visibility when cowls were fully opened, gearbox access from tunnel. Interesting collective base/pedestal and closure on the left side by crosstube; no opinion yet, just different, and I get that it should provide a little more direct visibility for VR work. The cabin visibility from crew positions is still impressive, but more glass to clean after crap settles down there? The backseaters looked like they should be good visibility too, but I didn't sit there, so no comment. I'm hopeful they'll be able to get this going and become competitive. Aside from the performance, entry cost and interior config costs, they will still have to get the full support infrastructure up and going and get the hourly costs squared... these are obviously future considerations and will be addressed in some form. Maybe they'll decide to plant some roots in the US in the future. Maybe sellout or license to China for that nation's anticipated growth & needs? Quote
aussiecop Posted March 12, 2014 Posted March 12, 2014 (edited) If as we all say that it lives up to costs and can set up a good maintenance availability for parts, this just may be a decent equivalent for the medflight guys using A-stars and EC130's for that purpose as it has about that size but has the clamshell rear entry. I really love the look and feel of the whole bird.Here are some pics for those who didn't get to the show. Edited March 12, 2014 by aussiecop Quote
fleman202 Posted March 12, 2014 Posted March 12, 2014 I have what may be a dumb question concerning the see through panels in the floor. Could you ever get to much visibility, which may lead to over stimulation? I spent last summer doing aerial application and a few times when I was turning around wind turbines the motion of the helicopter turning and catching the windmill blade turning almost seemed like it gave my sensory system to much information! It was a weird feeling! Just curious if anyone else has any thoughts on this? Quote
aussiecop Posted March 12, 2014 Posted March 12, 2014 Having never been in that situation I can't comment on that specifically, but from a pilot perspective, If I could fly in a bubble where I had a 360 degree view that would be fine with me. The more visibility the better IMHO. 1 Quote
Whistlerpilot Posted March 12, 2014 Author Posted March 12, 2014 I learned how to fly in the Bell 47 the classic bubble helicopter. Loved the visibility, everything else sucks in comparison. That's one reason why I'm so drawn to the SKYe SH09. The only negative with the 47 bubble was low speeds in heavy rain where you feel like the inside of a fishbowl. Takes some airspeed to get the rain to stop beading so you can see out. I've noticed the AS350 is bad for that beading too, way worse than the 206. The long slant of the windshield on the SKYe should alleviate that problem. There are lots of disorienting sensations when flying, try hovering over moving water for example. I think better visibility is a great thing. You can choose what to look at. That window in the floor of the SKYe is amazing. Put a cloth over it if it bothers you, but being able to look straight down is a huge advantage for more than just vertical reference longline work. Precision confined mountain approaches come to mind. Thanks guys for posting your pics. That collective position is ingenious. Look forward to seeing this helicopter in service. 1 Quote
fleman202 Posted March 12, 2014 Posted March 12, 2014 Having never done vertical reference flying, I can imagine that it would be nice to be able to look straight down out of a window instead of out the door! Hovering over moving water would definitely be a sensation that you would have to get used to! Quote
Jaybee Posted March 12, 2014 Posted March 12, 2014 I learned how to fly in the Bell 47 the classic bubble helicopter. Loved the visibility, everything else sucks in comparison. AMEN ! Quote
aeroscout Posted March 13, 2014 Posted March 13, 2014 Having never done vertical reference flying, I can imagine that it would be nice to be able to look straight down out of a window instead of out the door! Hovering over moving water would definitely be a sensation that you would have to get used to!Without something floating in the water not being moved by the downwash, it is nearly impossible to hold it over a point. Quote
aussiecop Posted April 2, 2014 Posted April 2, 2014 For those of you who never made it to Heli Expo, here is an interview and feature overview of the SH09. Forgive the spotty audio, we had an over zealous cleaner who refused to turn off the vacuum behind us for the external interview shots... 1 Quote
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