AS 355 Advice

[BigMike]

Any advice on flying the AS 355. The company may be getting one. Flown the AS 350 but not the twin. What are the little things to watch out for compared to the single. Any comments welcome.

 

Cheers  BigMike   ::cheers::

[Wally]

The "Double Duck" is much more work than the "Rubber Ducky." That second engine is nice, but it's not a get out of jail free card. Use it cautiously and enjoy the security. Be stupid and we'll see you in the funny papers.

Caution- I've never even seen an "N" but 4000 in F's.

 

Hovers much more right side and tail low. Much twitchier the last few inches down. Roll center feels higher and yaw center feels farther aft.

B, B2 come off the deck feeling stronger- F1 and F2, you have to tickle the TQ to perform. P.S. It's not Cat A. Anecdotally, it seems to perform better than the book claims, OEI.

Uses lotsa gas for not as fast. 60 gph approx 117 Kn vs 45-48 120 kn, B or B2, at max gross.

Holds lotsa gas, too- 196(?) gal in two seperate fuel systems. No pump to transfer, so it's gravity between tanks. Simple's good but has limitations- fuel don't go uphill.

Crappy electricals, including gauging and switches. Why the second engine would adversly affect that I don't know, but it seems to.

It's not a high altitude aircraft. 6000 or so DA, and you're bumping T4's as well as Tq and sometimes NG limits.

 

All that sounds negative- but if you have good technical help, and it's limitations fit your operation, it's a comfortable aircraft that will take quite a beating and still fly you to your landing.

Good news, dual hydraulics, geared off the C-box (no belts!).

Dual generators, too. Fairly simple load management.

 

That's all, off the top of my head.

[BigMike]

Thanks Wally. We fly mainly island transfers and scenic's up to a height of 3000ft. We operate 3 Jetrangers, but as 95% of our flights are over water the company is looking at having that little bit of added security by using a twin. This will also enable night transfers.

Boot space has become a bit of an issue as well. What is it with women and luggage?!

 

Cheers  Big Mike  ::cheers::

[Wally]

There's potential good news for you there. The stock "double duck" has 3 compartments- aft and either side. The side holds are shallow but wide and high. The aft is smaller than a 206 (don't recall the cubes on a 206), and limited to a 176 lbs and hatched with something less than half a 206 opening. All three together, technically more cubes than a 206 but hard to use. Think cigar box on it's side- there's capacity, but....

 

Good news- There are extenders for the side holds. Both I've seen resulted in a compartment big enough to crawl into and add a lot of utility. The side holds have greater capacity weight-wise than the aft, and are approximately at CG. You'll lose a couple knots and pounds, also a little less yaw and pitch stability, but a worthwhile cargo and baggage expense. One model also added a sort of "deck area," as it was strong enough to be stepped on.

I'd also recommend having your aft baggage door modded to swing forward instead of dropping down like an airstair.

 

If she's worth hauling, her bags are too...

[BigMike]

Thanks Wally. Have a little over 300 hours in the AS 350, but as I said no time in the Twin.

Do the extended side doors open upwards like the original, or do they open with the hinges at the front. If not is there a mod to do this?

 

Cheers  BigMike   ::cheers::

[Wally]

All that I've seen open like real doors, vertical hinge at the front- another plus.