1st helicopter lesson done

[Ludwig]

£20k: that's really awful.
I made my CPL with instrument- and twin engine rating for app. 10 K in Deutschmark. But this was in 1976
Unfortunately flying has become terribly expensive. Fuel prices at this time were 0,28 DM and nowadays
we pay almost 15 times more per liter

 

[Ludwig]

I was paying 10 k DM for CPL, IFR and twin engine in 1976
but at this time fuel was for 0,28 DM per liter

 

[dem maser]

Our very own airwolf....

All the best

 

[TridentTested]

Excellent stuff Dan.

If you haven't already read it I would recommend Chickenhawk -LINK- - the memoirs of a Vietnam Huey pilot.

His description of hovering over a minefield and having insufficient power to clear the chain-link fence surrounding it will have your hands sweating with suspense.

 

[Dan!]

Do you know what T&T I bought Chickenhawk on the recommendation of a pilot friend of mine a few months ago and it went straight to the book shelf, I must dig it out and actually read it!

Thanks for the reminder.

 

[BennyD]

A very good book with a bit of a surprising ending.

 

[hodroyd]

I took my lesson in a Robinson, great to actually fly, but as I said before, landing stability is like docking a small boat in a heavy swell, hovering is not an issue, or spinning on the spot, but get her near the ground and wooooowww..!!!

 

[bigbob]

Been looking into Robinsons since Dan posted. Superficially they look cheap until you realise that after 2200 hours or 12 years you have to spend half the new price replacing practically everything. Makes Masers look cheap!

 

[hodroyd]

I did the same excercise Bob, darn expensive, but you don't think so when at a few thousand feet and have to rely on everything, it's a long way down in a chopper.

 

[bigbob]

That's the thing. I guess you would not skimp on stuff!

 

[hodroyd]

I suppose it's like buying some cheap 20/50 oil and some remoulds for a Maser, you just would not do it.

 

[Dan!]

Bargain!

http://www.rotorway.co.uk/content/view/64/18/

 

[BennyD]

Like most big boys toys, it's not the buying, it's the running that will hurt. It's a pain in the a55 that keeps on giving!

 

[MATT]

My pal has a copter, second one after a r22, the r22 was reasonable to run, the latest one is a Bell Ranger and the running costs are eye watering........however he can land it in the grounds of his house which is handy !

 

[Dan!]

/\ That's the dream

 

[rotorheadcase]

You know what they say,

if it floats, flies or fcuks...rent it.
if you want to make a small fortune in aviation...start with a large fortune.

Neil

 

[NickP]

Would servicing a small copter like be much more than servicing the Balboni? Its all very well having a super car but on the road you can only go as fast as the person in front of you, in the air on the other hand there is much more freedom.

 

[hodroyd]

That's a reasonable priced chopper, but running costs are considerable, you would need to park at home, otherwise you have airfield parking costs too. I wonder how well the Maser would go on aviation fuel..???

 

[safrane]

One of these was made on TV in a programm called a Helicopter is born

 

[MATT]

Masser might go well on av fuel, it certainly does something for me when I smell it