Schweizer 300cbi vs Robinson R44

[cherminator]

Hello Everyone,

 

Since only one of over one hundred readers of my last post about a new autopilot system for the R44 responded, I will try another one.

 

I've read all the posts about the R22 vses the Schweizer 300 debate, but what about the R44 vses the Schweizer for training? Please reply without concern for operating costs or job prospects as I will be learning to fly for pleasure only and can afford to operate either one. I will eventually purchase a helicopter of my own if the training goes well as I live on acreage.

 

Thank you all in advance.

[jehh]

If you can afford it, the R-44 is a more useful helicopter for private ownership than the Schweizer is, however it will cost more and you may or may not need the extra performance and size.

 

That being said, I personally think the R-44 is both a great training helicopter as well as a great personal helicopter.

[Goldy]

Hello Everyone,

 

Since only one of over one hundred readers of my last post about a new autopilot system for the R44 responded, I will try another one.

 

I've read all the posts about the R22 vses the Schweizer 300 debate, but what about the R44 vses the Schweizer for training? Please reply without concern for operating costs or job prospects as I will be learning to fly for pleasure only and can afford to operate either one. I will eventually purchase a helicopter of my own if the training goes well as I live on acreage.

 

Thank you all in advance.

 

 

OK< I have dropped the costs debate. So you want a helicopter to get you and a couple friends from here to over there. In the 300 you can do it at around 85 knots ( I'm sure someone will correct me from a book and say its really 87 or 88)..or you can cruise along at 110 knots, and easily push that up to 120 knots if youre light in the R44. So basically a 200 mile trip could either take you 2 hours in the 300, or 1.4 hours in the R44...choice is yours. I think if you compare the two, total payload, cruise speed, max speeds and range...its hands down the 44. If you are really lightly loaded, you can take the 44 right up to 150MPH...

 

I have a limited time flying the 300, and a few more hours in a 44. If they were both sitting on the pad waiting for me, I would grab the keys to the 44 first. Not only is it a really comfortable ride, smooth and extremely fast...ahh forget it, I am a 44 lover.

 

Try flying at 85 knots in a 300. Dont believe me.. just go fly it for an hour and see how your back feels, you feel like you are falling over in a very stiff upright seat.

 

Enough said, let the Goldy bashing begin by all of you 300 lovers. Honestly, I enjoyed my time in a 300, very substantial feel, easy to fly...but a 44 it aint.

 

Goldy

[Sparker]

Goldy is right about the posture in a 300... you feel like you are staring straight down, but hey, thats kid of cool.. nice view.

Edited September 2, 2007 by Sparker

[Pogue]

I've read all the posts about the R22 vses the Schweizer 300 debate, but what about the R44 vses the Schweizer for training? Please reply without concern for operating costs or job prospects as I will be learning to fly for pleasure only and can afford to operate either one. I will eventually purchase a helicopter of my own if the training goes well as I live on acreage.

 

If you're going to buy an R44, by all means train in one. The one factor you may want to consider is that if you're planning in renting for any period of time find out if there is anyone around that will rent you an R-44. Because of insurance requirements many operators won't.

[Goldy]

as I live on acreage.

 

 

PS.Dont assume just because you have some land that you can use it to land your helo. Plenty before you have tried it and many are still in court fighting for that right. Check local ordinances first, maybe confide in a close neighbor or two...maybe offer to put in a heliport for the local firefighting or public safety uses on your land.

 

The last case I read about the guy pretty much owns his own island off the east coast. With a 44 being so quiet you couldnt hear him apporach over the ocean unless you were twenty feet away, yet the complaints roared in.

 

Neighbors are probably just jealous !

Edited September 2, 2007 by Goldy

[cherminator]

If you're going to buy an R44, by all means train in one. The one factor you may want to consider is that if you're planning in renting for any period of time find out if there is anyone around that will rent you an R-44. Because of insurance requirements many operators won't.

 

 

Do you mean after I finish my training and before I buy my own and if so, aren't you basically "renting" the machine whle you're training?

[cherminator]

PS.Dont assume just because you have some land that you can use it to land your helo. Plenty before you have tried it and many are still in court fighting for that right. Check local ordinances first, maybe confide in a close neighbor or two...maybe offer to put in a heliport for the local firefighting or public safety uses on your land.

 

The last case I read about the guy pretty much owns his own island off the east coast. With a 44 being so quiet you couldnt hear him apporach over the ocean unless you were twenty feet away, yet the complaints roared in.

 

Neighbors are probably just jealous !

 

I already checked with Transport Canada. They said I'm allowed to as long as I stay a minimum of 500 ft away from any houses in the area and I don't fly directly over them. I'm lucky as I live on high-bank waterfront so I can come on to my property from over the lake.

 

But it sounds like the local authorities may have rules of their own? I live amongst alot of orchards and I hope my helicopter wouldn't be any louder than various farm machinery in the area.

[jehh]

Do you mean after I finish my training and before I buy my own and if so, aren't you basically "renting" the machine whle you're training?

 

Yes, you're "renting" the machine in training, however a school CFI is in the helicopter, thus insurance is ok with that.

 

In some cases, you can also take it out solo, required during private pilot training.

 

What you can NOT do is take family or friends flying, insurance doesn't allow that in many cases. So if you train in one, plan to buy one, unless you find one of the rare places that can rent them.

[apiaguy]

be aware that if you rent... they will unlikely let you land at your acreage.... no off airport landings.

 

As for the first question of the post...

 

Even being a Hughes/Schweizer fan..... the R44 wins... it is just one step up the ladder. The only negative is that it is a newer helicopter design and you can't get a used one for a reasonable cost like you could a Schweizer.

 

I really can't think of anything the schweizer has on a R44.... ok maybe that the schweizer has a fully articulated rotor. That's about it.

 

I live on an acreage as well (20 acres) and houses nearby are on 1 acre.... It is in the county... not city. Anyway, within 3 months of flying in oh say once or twice a week... two neighbors had called the county to see if it was legal. They said I flew right over their house... the county said "how high" they said oh a few hundred feet. The county said that the land I live on aircraft are an outright permitted use.

 

Good luck, have fun.

[zemogman]

Try flying at 85 knots in a 300. Dont believe me.. just go fly it for an hour and see how your back feels, you feel like you are falling over in a very stiff upright seat.

 

Goldy

 

 

Amen to that...my back hurts every time with done with training. But it is fun to fly...

 

I did my intro flight in an R-44, but I didn't know anything about anything on that flight so I couldn't really compare. Not that I know a little bit about nothing I can say that the R-44 configuration (payload, speed, looks, etc.) seems a much better choice if cost is disregarded. I only wish that the stick was where it should be...(I don't like the teetering concept)...just my opinion.