rotorgeh Posted October 20, 2006 Report Share Posted October 20, 2006 I am fixed wing jet driver getting ready to start my rotor training in a r22. I am only doing this to learn a new skill and not to change careers. Once I get my rotor commercial add on complete, I would like to find something, with a reasonable cost to maintain, to just fly for fun and build some flight time. Thus looking at kit built helicopters. I have great mechanical skills and I am not worried about the building process. What does concern me is saftey of the design once it is complete. I've looked at the exec 162 which just seems to have to many problems with in flight fires and the such. The Baby Belle/Safari design seems straight forward enough, and have found only two accident reports where there was any structrual failure, most have been pilot error. I realize a lot of you folks are professional rotor pilots and would not considered a home built no more than I would a homebuilt corporate jet. I like the fact I can maintain the home bulit myself with some supervision. I've not made mind up yet and I am looking for input from those that are emersed in the Helicopter industry, like I'm the corporate jet world........Any help would be greatly appreciated.......rookie rotor pilot....Thks.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nbit Posted October 20, 2006 Report Share Posted October 20, 2006 I've only heard good things about two... The Hummingbird, which started life as a certified helicopter. Also a few people consider the HeliCycle to be good. It is turbine powered, but the downfall is it is only one seat. The ex-owner of St. Louis Helicopters flies a HeliCycle, and I used to see him flying it quite often when I was in the St. Louis area.Don't know if that helps...I am dual rated, a jet jockey, and a homebuilder as well. ...Haven't got the courage to build a helicopter yet Many would tell you to buy certified. Regards... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kc135Delta Posted October 20, 2006 Report Share Posted October 20, 2006 if you ultimatly have to build a helicopter I would go for the hummingbird. It's essentially a r44. In some respects it's even better. 4 seats, 375 mile range, 110mph, 13gph consumption, center sticks and the ability to customize it however you want to. sounds good to me. just stay safe and don't guess. EDIT: I just realized that the kit is 170k and the engine is 22k, so it might be better to just buy one of those 250k bell jetrangers off trade-a-plane. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goldy Posted October 20, 2006 Report Share Posted October 20, 2006 if you ultimatly have to build a helicopter I would go for the hummingbird. It's essentially a r44. In some respects it's even better. 4 seats, 375 mile range, 110mph, 13gph consumption, center sticks and the ability to customize it however you want to. sounds good to me. just stay safe and don't guess. EDIT: I just realized that the kit is 170k and the engine is 22k, so it might be better to just buy one of those 250k bell jetrangers off trade-a-plane. Be careful what you buy anywhere. Just a few blades being replaced because of a nick in them (in the turbine engine) of a 206 costs about 80K..yes, $80,000.00 As far as homebuilts, I'm glad you're looking at the NTSB site..enough said. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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