Midlife crisis... going to buy a helicopter...

[ChristianAnarchist]

Faulk it... I'm tired of banging my head against the wall trying to get the "ah-mer-i-can people" to understand liberty. I've decided to pursue my life long desire to fly helicopters. A reasonable R22 with maybe 300 hours left on it can be had for between $65k to $80k and I've wanted to do this for at least 40 years. Back in the day the Rotorway people had the Scorpion helicopter kit and I had wanted to buy one and assemble it. Never had the money then. I've spent a good deal of time and money trying to wake people up and they seem to be quite content in traveling down the road to destruction. Can't help them if they don't want to see!!

[tod evans]

More fun than a new vette......

What's the range on a rig like that?

[William Tell]

Enjoy it!

Be careful though, man. Small aircraft seem dangerous. Someone who was involved here in my state was killed in an accident with his small plane.

[Origanalist]

[willwash]

I'd also recommend you look into an ultralight trike. Basically a hang glider with a motor. They're even cheaper than these helos, you can get a decent used one for <25k, the price of a new car.

[oyarde]

Faulk it... I'm tired of banging my head against the wall trying to get the "ah-mer-i-can people" to understand liberty. I've decided to pursue my life long desire to fly helicopters. A reasonable R22 with maybe 300 hours left on it can be had for between $65k to $80k and I've wanted to do this for at least 40 years. Back in the day the Rotorway people had the Scorpion helicopter kit and I had wanted to buy one and assemble it. Never had the money then. I've spent a good deal of time and money trying to wake people up and they seem to be quite content in traveling down the road to destruction. Can't help them if they don't want to see!!

Excellent . Enjoy !

[presence]

not really my thing... out there with bungee jumping for me


...but if it was my goal, I'd probably pursue RC Helicopters first; get used to flight controls while crashing costs $500 instead of life

[Schifference]

One of my best friends crashed his single engine plane. He killed his best friend but he got out with minor bruising. Plane went up in flames. He bought another plane and continued flying.

[ChristianAnarchist]

More fun than a new vette......

What's the range on a rig like that?

Helicopters don't have a great range so somewhere less that 200 miles usually. They are for short hops generally unless you want to make lots of fuel stops. You can only do about 100mph so this kind of chopper is strictly for fun flying. They are used as trainers at some places but locally I can only find instruction in Engstrom helicopters which are more money.

[ChristianAnarchist]

One of my best friends crashed his single engine plane. He killed his best friend but he got out with minor bruising. Plane went up in flames. He bought another plane and continued flying.

Haven't crashed my Cessna yet and it's a pretty high time plane. Even if the engine quits you can usually set either a fixed wing or rotary wing aircraft down without killing yourself (but you are likely to bend up your aircraft)...

[opal]

I dunno.. looks too easy to shoot down

[sparebulb]

My biggest caution would be to consider the effects upon your family in the event of the worst outcome.

And as far as flying with your family, I have coined the following phrase:

The family that flies together, dies together.

Other than that, have fun and learn everything to be competent.

Competent is a much higher standard than just achieving certification.

[Schifference]

Another friend and former boss crashed his single engine in a annual race. I think it was called Jackpot in the late 1980's early 90's. All 4 onboard were killed. Both were considered experienced pilots and I had flown with both. Went across country once. That took a long time. Had to stop every several hundred miles. I split the fuel costs with him. It was expensive.

[ChristianAnarchist]

I'd also recommend you look into an ultralight trike. Basically a hang glider with a motor. They're even cheaper than these helos, you can get a decent used one for <25k, the price of a new car.

Saw one soaring the cliffs in Hawaii with engine off for a very long time. He would soar one direction and then soar back into the updraft. He could stay up as long as his bladder could hold out...

[Schifference]

Haven't crashed my Cessna yet and it's a pretty high time plane. Even if the engine quits you can usually set either a fixed wing or rotary wing aircraft down without killing yourself (but you are likely to bend up your aircraft)...

From my understanding it was dark and he got tangled up in some electric wires next to his home airport. The other guy smashed into a mountain in a storm.

[ChristianAnarchist]

I dunno.. looks too easy to shoot down

Yeah, if you are a good enough shot to hit it the damage would likely bring you down for sure. Unless you are right where it's taking off or landing though it would take quite a marksman to actually hit the thing.

[sparebulb]

CA,

Rotary isn't my thing, but what is the final word on the newer Rotoway machines?

Their infomercials from several years ago made me rotor-curious, but I'm a straight-wing guy.

I've never heard any feedback whether they were safe and reliable.

As much as I can't stand regulation, certificated aircraft definitely are proven to be safer over the long haul, so the Robinson is a check in the safety column. However, there is a huge choke point on maintenance cost and regulation with a certificated a/c.

Years ago, a friend of mine owned a Brantley, then an Enstrom, and then a Hughes 500. The 500 about broke him. There was an AD waiting for him in the mail about every month. Expensive AD's. He got out of it for a few years and then bought an R-22. I don't think he's had any problems with it.

[Danke]

Another friend and former boss crashed his single engine in a annual race. I think it was called Jackpot in the late 1980's early 90's. All 4 onboard were killed. Both were considered experienced pilots and I had flown with both. Went across country once. That took a long time. Had to stop every several hundred miles. I split the fuel costs with him. It was expensive.

Day, VMC flying away from a big city and a small A/C in a forced landing you can walk away from. Or buy a Cirrus.

[Schifference]

Day, VMC flying away from a big city and a small A/C in a forced landing you can walk away from. Or buy a Cirrus.

sorry I don't understand.

[Danke]

Midlife crisis?

It would be more economical to just get some hookers and blow.

[Danke]

sorry I don't understand.

Nice weather in the daytime in open country.

[Schifference]

Okay. That explains both those crashes. One in bad weather the other at night.

[tod evans]

Midlife crisis?

It would more economical to just get some hookers and blow.

[Danke]

Okay. That explains both those crashes. One in bad weather the other at night.

You know as good as night vision goggles have become, that might be a wise thing to carry on board if you're going to fly at night.

[opal]

Yeah, if you are a good enough shot to hit it the damage would likely bring you down for sure. Unless you are right where it's taking off or landing though it would take quite a marksman to actually hit the thing.

you doubt the government's access to expert marksmen? (and anti-aircraft weapons)

[Schifference]

I think the guy that crashed at night was returning later than expected to Aurora Colorado from Vegas. The airport where he kept his planed did not have any runway lights. I think I remember something to the effect of a friend had headlights illuminating the runway. He should have gone to the next airport and just gotten someone to meet him there.

[Intoxiklown]

I think the guy that crashed at night was returning later than expected to Aurora Colorado from Vegas. The airport where he kept his planed did not have any runway lights. I think I remember something to the effect of a friend had headlights illuminating the runway. He should have gone to the next airport and just gotten someone to meet him there.

My father did this type of landing all the time with his Seneca II. Granted, he did roll the plane across the top of a friend's Mercedes one night. And yes, the driver $#@! himself.

I learned in a Cessna 172, and once twin engine rated, flew the Seneca. It's something I miss tremendously,and one day hope to be able to do again. I could go a partial hammerhead stall in the Cessna, loop it, and all kinds of things I should not have been doing (I was 16), but never had a desire to fly a helicopter. Their glide ratio compared to a fixed wing plane leaves me.....wanting.

[sparebulb]

[ChristianAnarchist]

you doubt the government's access to expert marksmen? (and anti-aircraft weapons)

I didn't realize they were gunning for me yet...

[pcosmar]

I didn't realize they were gunning for me yet...

Get a bike,, and go find America.