helicopter pilot questions

[Jwood562]

I dont think I am allowed back in our airship. When I was on training a few years ago my FTO took me up, right after eating some tacos.

The pilot really let me have it. I swear the control they have over those things is amazing. LEts just say the tacos made a re-apperance into a small bag. After landing the pilet say, "take it with you and don't come back in to my helicopter." all with a big smile on his face.

I said, "sir yes sir" and walked away with my doggie bag of barf.

i wonder if they remeber me

[TrailerparkTrash]

Those ghey Eurocopters, fly American instead ! The blade system on a Astar is clockwise for starters!!

You have to make opposite inputs for torque in a Astar, compared to 98% of all other helicopters..

A Bell 407, MD530's come to mind. Anything with a fully articulated rotor system, versus a semi rigid on a Huey.

Astars have a proprietary rotor system called the "Starflex", semi-rigid, bearingless hub type system. They allow the helicopter to to enter negative-G's without worrying about chopping off the tail boom, unlike Robinsons, Bells etc...

Bell 407's are nothing more than a 4 bladed jet ranger. Which by the way, SUCK for patrol missions. They can't turn on a dime, unlike the A-Stars. They don't have the responsiveness like an A-Star, plain and simple. The MD 530's are great helicopters, but unfortunately the woman that owns MD has destroyed that company. Nobody is buying MD's like they are buying A-stars. It's just a better product overall with a stronger engine. I'll give you that the MD's handle like a true sports car though. Especially the two bladed tail rotor models (e's IIRC). All the BLOWtars (notars) aka: 600 series sucked beyond belief!!!!!! .... and they still do!

The Eurocopter is the envey of law enforcemet across the nation. Departments only buy other brands because they can't afford a B2 or B3 A-Star.

[Ron-Solo]

Heh......I rode around in a Hughes 300C (and sometimes a B model) "back in the days" if you know what I mean. A 4 cylinder flying Volkswagen.......but it never let us down and nothing ever out ran us.

[Tacit Blue]

The San Diego Sheriff's is one of Dept's that owns a 407, they hate it too. Most pilots fly the MD500, MD530 and they have UH-1's. I would consider them far from not being able to afford a ' Astar'.

Can't get a astar into a confined area like this can you?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ehd0XprdSd8

The most maneuverable that i know of, is the German B0105. Watch this video, and this will be self explanatory.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1oXRBt-fLv0

Having the B3 model of the Astar, is really only meant for high altitude ops. Because of the altitude density issue obviously. But if your constantly pulling pitch, and need extra power for pursuits then naturally that would be a great feature to have.

But nothing that a B2 couldn't handle already, along with a 407. The only thing usually outruns a Helo is a sport bike, like a Yamaha R-1 or a 750.

[HarrisonS004]

The San Diego Sheriff's is one of Dept's that owns a 407, they hate it too. Most pilots fly the MD500, MD530 and they have UH-1's. I would consider them far from not being able to afford a ' Astar'.

Can't get a astar into a confined area like this can you?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ehd0XprdSd8

The most maneuverable that i know of, is the German B0105. Watch this video, and this will be self explanatory.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1oXRBt-fLv0

Having the B3 model of the Astar, is really only meant for high altitude ops. Because of the altitude density issue obviously. But if your constantly pulling pitch, and need extra power for pursuits then naturally that would be a great feature to have.

But nothing that a B2 couldn't handle already, along with a 407. The only thing usually outruns a Helo is a sport bike, like a Yamaha R-1 or a 750.

Wow that video of the German copter is insane! That is by far the craziest piloting I have seen. Thanks for sharing.

[Tacit Blue]

Wow that video of the German copter is insane! That is by far the craziest piloting I have seen. Thanks for sharing.

The redbull chopper is the same kind, the pilot in that earlier video later on become one.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RGu45s1_QPU

[TrailerparkTrash]

I would consider them far from not being able to afford a ' Astar'.

No, I'd say they couldn't afford something like a new 4.2 million dollar B2's with a Chelton glass cockpit....

Having the B3 model of the Astar, is really only meant for high altitude ops. Because of the altitude density issue obviously. But if your constantly pulling pitch, and need extra power for pursuits then naturally that would be a great feature to have.

But nothing that a B2 couldn't handle already,

I agree 100 percent. In fact, Eurocopter says that below 5,000 MSL, there is no difference in performance between a B2 and a B3. We take our B2's up to 9,000' (above Mt. Baldy) for training all the time.

A couple of interesting facts: The A-Star B3 variant was the first helicopter to touch the summit of Mt. Everest. A B2 variant holds the world record for the highest summit human rescue. It was around 20,000' and I don't remember the exact altitude.

As far as long line goes, an Astar can get close too, but why that close? Ever hear of risk vs. reward? But that's really another topic for another thread. If that 500's engine quit, the pilot was facing the wrong way. He needs to face parallel to the hill in order to point that sucker down the valley if the engine quit. That's one reason it's called "LONG line." You drop a LOOOONG line down to give the aircraft a slight advantage in case the pilot has to drop suddenly down the mountain.

In that video, it almost looks like they needed the guy's belt to load up since the helo had to get so darn close to the hill slope.

[TrailerparkTrash]

The redbull chopper is the same kind, the pilot in that earlier video later on become one.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RGu45s1_QPU

Ever see the modifications that were done on the Red Bull helicopter to get it to do what it does? The rotor hub and blades were really modified and it cost boo-koo $$$$$

[zrock]

What , i did'nt know you guys would post pictures . Let see some more.

Are those 407's ?

[Tacit Blue]

What , i did'nt know you guys would post pictures . Let see some more.

Are those 407's ?

Here's the 407 and more pics.




205/UH-1 It's used for rescue operations and fire suppression.

[Tacit Blue]

No, I'd say they couldn't afford something like a new 4.2 million dollar B2's with a Chelton glass cockpit....


I agree 100 percent. In fact, Eurocopter says that below 5,000 MSL, there is no difference in performance between a B2 and a B3. We take our B2's up to 9,000' (above Mt. Baldy) for training all the time.

A couple of interesting facts: The A-Star B3 variant was the first helicopter to touch the summit of Mt. Everest. A B2 variant holds the world record for the highest summit human rescue. It was around 20,000' and I don't remember the exact altitude.

As far as long line goes, an Astar can get close too, but why that close? Ever hear of risk vs. reward? But that's really another topic for another thread. If that 500's engine quit, the pilot was facing the wrong way. He needs to face parallel to the hill in order to point that sucker down the valley if the engine quit. That's one reason it's called "LONG line." You drop a LOOOONG line down to give the aircraft a slight advantage in case the pilot has to drop suddenly down the mountain.

In that video, it almost looks like they needed the guy's belt to load up since the helo had to get so darn close to the hill slope.

Sounds like you work for SBSD? They have one of the largest fleets of Astar 350 B3's. The B3 is very popular with Heli skiing and high altitude ops, like i mentioned before. Overall i'm starting to agree with you, it is a great chopper. I've had the pleasure of riding in a Astar A350 B2 in Hawaii, very smooth ride... The interior noise isn't too loud either... The B3 version uses FADEC over the B2 which is nice also..

Most of the time i've logged in helo's has been the R44's and R22's, I was trying to get onto a MD500. But it went down on Catalina Island, had a wire strike destroying the whole bird.. Another nice helo from Eurocopter is the EC120.

The whole 'negative G' push over is of concern, but most Pilot's try to avoid striking the rotors against the tail boom. Supposedly you said a Astar can avoid that issue, due to the rotor design. Bo105 uses a solid hinge less system, that's why its so maneuverable. So it wouldn't surprise me, if the Astar could do that also..

[SVT-40]

From "back in the day". Great memories...


"big bird"


"Little bird"

[copter976]

A B2 variant holds the world record for the highest summit human rescue. It was around 20,000' and I don't remember the exact altitude.

It was right around 23,000 if memory serves me correct...

[TrailerparkTrash]

Sounds like you work for SBSD?

No, I don't work for SBSD. However, I do know that SBSD has only 5 or 6 A-stars B3 models. I just spoke with one of their pilots about 3 months ago and he told me. I can't remember now off the top of my head how many they actually have. We have 15 B2's and 12 of them are brand new!!!! Still waiting if we're getting the option to buy two additional models. You know how it is when money is tight...

...Another nice helo from Eurocopter is the EC120.

I've never piloted an EC 120 but I know the two SBSD had, they hated for patrol. Slugish, no power.... Great helicopter for tours or maybe air ambulance, but not for LE patrol.

Same goes with an EC 130 series, which i have piloted. Long Beach PD has two of them and they are dawwwwgs for patrol when compared to an A-star or even a MD500. The 130's are Big flying bubbles that are great for Hawaiian island tours, but that's it. They're like driving a Ford Econoline van vs. a Corvette that can hug corners etc....

Some of the guys that are honest there say the 130 sucks big time for LE patrol missions. I think other guys with flying egos would never put down their 130's just "because." But now they got two A-stars in their fleet and they are learning how to fly them, so it doesnt' really matter.

The whole 'negative G' push over is of concern, but most Pilot's try to avoid striking the rotors against the tail boom. Supposedly you said a Astar can avoid that issue, due to the rotor design.

Yes, negative G's is NOT an issue with an A-Star. You can go negative G's up to.... -1.8 or -2 g's if I recall correctly, without it considered an "acrobatic" manueuver by the manufacturer. Either way, you do float in your pants.... hahahahaaha.... I should know that number, but I don't do negative g's if I can help it. I too trained in a teetering rotor system and the habit of avoiding it just carried down to the Astars now. A little bit won't hurt in the long run and the ability to be able to do so does help when one is maneuvering quickly during a wild pursuit with lots of turns etc....

[Tacit Blue]

No, I don't work for SBSD. However, I do know that SBSD has only 5 or 6 A-stars B3 models. I just spoke with one of their pilots about 3 months ago and he told me. I can't remember now off the top of my head how many they actually have. We have 15 B2's and 12 of them are brand new!!!! Still waiting if we're getting the option to buy two additional models. You know how it is when money is tight...


I've never piloted an EC 120 but I know the two SBSD had, they hated for patrol. Slugish, no power.... Great helicopter for tours or maybe air ambulance, but not for LE patrol.

Same goes with an EC 130 series, which i have piloted. Long Beach PD has two of them and they are dawwwwgs for patrol when compared to an A-star or even a MD500. The 130's are Big flying bubbles that are great for Hawaiian island tours, but that's it. They're like driving a Ford Econoline van vs. a Corvette that can hug corners etc....

Some of the guys that are honest there say the 130 sucks big time for LE patrol missions. I think other guys with flying egos would never put down their 130's just "because." But now they got two A-stars in their fleet and they are learning how to fly them, so it doesnt' really matter.


Yes, negative G's is NOT an issue with an A-Star. You can go negative G's up to.... -1.8 or -2 g's if I recall correctly, without it considered an "acrobatic" manueuver by the manufacturer. Either way, you do float in your pants.... hahahahaaha.... I should know that number, but I don't do negative g's if I can help it. I too trained in a teetering rotor system and the habit of avoiding it just carried down to the Astars now. A little bit won't hurt in the long run and the ability to be able to do so does help when one is maneuvering quickly during a wild pursuit with lots of turns etc....

I will leave this thread with this video for you:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X0zBb0NAfus