R44 Raven II Specific Training Materials ?

[HeloJunkie]

Hello -

 

 

I just purchased a new R44 and was wondering about the availability and quality of R44 specific training videos, books and other materials. I have all of the Sportys "So you want to fly" series, but was looking for stuff directed towards the operation and flying of the R44 only.

 

Any input would be greatly appreciated.

 

 

 

Thanks

[K-38]

If you have not been to the RHC safety course yet I would highly recommend that you make that a priority.

[HeloJunkie]

If you have not been to the RHC safety course yet I would highly recommend that you make that a priority.

 

Hey K-38,

 

 

Thanks for the advice. I am planning on attending, however they are backed up quite a ways out. My insurance company accepts the R44 training provided by Civic Helicopters in lieu of the factory training. Regardless, I will still attend the RHC course as soon as I can.

 

Thanks !!

[BOATFIXERGUY]

Hey K-38,

 

 

Thanks for the advice. I am planning on attending, however they are backed up quite a ways out. My insurance company accepts the R44 training provided by Civic Helicopters in lieu of the factory training. Regardless, I will still attend the RHC course as soon as I can.

 

Thanks !!

 

So you decided on a bird! Congratulations. When do you take delivery?

[Goldy]

[quote name='HeloJunkie' date='Feb 12 2008, 09:11 ' post='62357'

 

 

I just purchased a new R44

 

Thanks

 

You're my new best friend !

 

Seriously, dont wait for the safety course, go fly with the best 44 pilot alive. ( hint- it aint me)

 

I'll PM you some details..congratulations,

 

Goldy

[claudio]

Hello -

 

 

I just purchased a new R44 and was wondering about the availability and quality of R44 specific training videos, books and other materials. I have all of the Sportys "So you want to fly" series, but was looking for stuff directed towards the operation and flying of the R44 only.

 

Any input would be greatly appreciated.

 

 

 

Thanks

 

Junkie,

 

you are welcome to give me a call anytime. I fly a 44 RII at high altitude everyday, and I believe I can help you.

Claudio 530 5442211

 

ciao.

[Superglide]

Hello Helojunkie- Congratulations on your new ship-was following all of your posts on the turbine purchase,but think you made an INFORMED decision,and will enjoy the 44.Please post some pics when you take delivery or PM them to me.

Just curious-was the purchase price of the turbine with the Insurance/maintenance cost the real wake up call?? Good Luck

[HeloJunkie]

Hello Helojunkie- Congratulations on your new ship-was following all of your posts on the turbine purchase,but think you made an INFORMED decision,and will enjoy the 44.Please post some pics when you take delivery or PM them to me.

Just curious-was the purchase price of the turbine with the Insurance/maintenance cost the real wake up call?? Good Luck

 

 

 

Thanks !!

 

I picked her up today at the factory!! It was fantastic. Flew from there to Las Vegas then to Bullhead then on to CRQ. Total trip time was 4.5 hours.

 

Thanks for everyone's support !!

 

 

The biggest reason I decided to go with a brand new ship was not really cost or insurance, since buying new and buying used was going to cost me the same on both accounts, but the reliability of flying a "zero time" helicopter as opposed to spending the exact same money (or more) on one with 8000 to 15,000 hours. So after spending a bunch of time running down turbines, I opted for a new helicopter that I could pick up immediately!

 

Here is a link to some pictures of the pickup and flight home!!

 

http://tinyurl.com/2og3zs

 

 

:-)

[Goldy]

Wow, beautiful ship. I take it the weather was nice over the desert for a change.? I have heard of some LA to LAS flights that were less than desirable, I remember one 44 pilot telling me " I thought I was gonna die "....anyway, happy flying .

[HeloJunkie]

Wow, beautiful ship. I take it the weather was nice over the desert for a change.? I have heard of some LA to LAS flights that were less than desirable, I remember one 44 pilot telling me " I thought I was gonna die "....anyway, happy flying .

 

 

Goldy -

 

It was the most amazing trip ever. As an airplane driver, I am used to 1000 FPM to 12.5K! But coming out of TOA then over LAX then SMO then to Vegas all while never getting above 1500' AGL was very new for me. I did some cross country work for my private add-on, but not to this extent.

 

The weather was fantastic, my instructor a constant source of information about desert flying (he goes to LAS all the time in helo) and just all the stuff to look out for along the way, towers, wires, people, roads, etc.

 

There was almost no wind going to speak of as we searched around a bit at different altitudes, and no clouds, nothing. My new ship has A/C that we actually had to shut off because it was getting so cold!!

 

After Vegas, we went down the Colorado to Bullhead, stopped along the way for a bunch of hover work and then landed for fuel.

 

After dark, he says "At night, we fly like an airplane", so up we went to 8,500' and headed back to Carlsbad just like in my Cirrus (only slower). We were seeing 115 KIAS at 21"MP and showing 135 across the ground. Made CRQ in 1.4!

 

I was a bit worried about the speed (or lack thereof) but I had a 172 Hawk XP that I put 700 hours in, and the R44 is just as fast as my 172 was, so I was not disappointed. It was also far more comfortable than flying the H300s!!

 

No clouds, partial moon, panel lights dimmed, and a fantastic maiden voyage all made the day and the night a great experience that I am sure I won't forget for some time!

[jehh]

Yes, the Robinson Safety Course is backed up, so you need to ask your dealer to get you in sooner. They always reserve slots for people who buy helicopters to get you in sooner.

[HeloJunkie]

Yes, the Robinson Safety Course is backed up, so you need to ask your dealer to get you in sooner. They always reserve slots for people who buy helicopters to get you in sooner.

 

 

Hi Jehh -

 

Yes, I was told that as well, but was also told that until I was checked out in the R44, I could not attend the safety course - thats its for after my checkout. I need 50 hours for the checkout and then I will be attending the safety course.

[FlyNHighNFast]

Congrats!! That is a beautiful ship. A 0 time machine must fly like a dream.

 

Did you get all of the options you wanted? A/C would be on the top of my list.

[HeloJunkie]

Congrats!! That is a beautiful ship. A 0 time machine must fly like a dream.

 

Did you get all of the options you wanted? A/C would be on the top of my list.

 

 

Hey FlyNHighNFast -

 

The only thing I would have done different would have been a second 430 and an ELT, both of which I can add if I want to. Also, I hate the audio panel they put into these things. I think I will replace it with the GMA340 as soon as I am willing to let it out of my hands.

 

Other than that, its has A/C, 430, GTX330, HSI, IVSI, leather, 4-Point harness, basically everything I would have ordered myself!

 

I think as I learn more and get better at flying it, I will enjoy it more and more each day. Right now, I am in that zone where its a handful just to hover for me and requires max concentration even though my instructor tells me it hovers better/easier than a 300! In any case, I feel like I am back to my first student days :-)

 

Its not a bad feeling actually, mostly love the idea of learning and increasing my skill level to the point that I am a safe and competent R44 pilot.

[FlyNHighNFast]

Sweet. That is a nice option list

 

I remember my first time in a 44. It seemed like a huge beast in comparison to the 22. You really have to think about that long tail behind you in tight quarters. I do love autos in the 44, compared to the 22, it all seems to be happening in slow motion. The main thing was getting used to the boosted controls. Don't worry about the hover, just keep your focus outside the ship and pretty soon you will know what she is doing before she does it, just like in the 300. Time in the seat... time in the seat...

[HeloJunkie]

Sweet. That is a nice option list

 

I remember my first time in a 44. It seemed like a huge beast in comparison to the 22. You really have to think about that long tail behind you in tight quarters. I do love autos in the 44, compared to the 22, it all seems to be happening in slow motion. The main thing was getting used to the boosted controls. Don't worry about the hover, just keep your focus outside the ship and pretty soon you will know what she is doing before she does it, just like in the 300. Time in the seat... time in the seat...

 

 

 

You sound like my instructor!! I never did an 22 time, and he keeps telling me the 44 flies better than the 300...just a matter of time before I figure it out!!