4 types in 2 days

I got the excellent opportunity to fly an EC120, AS350, Jet Ranger, and 407
all within a two day span. And the winner is: The Bell 407.

There are features I really like about the Eurocopters like their cabin
layout,
comfy seats, excellent maintenance access, and baggage storage areas.
However, from a performance and aerodynamic perspective the 407 has it all
over these machines. I did a max performance T/O in the 407 and had to lower
the collective because I was doing 3000 ft min (1000ft/min above its redline
of
2000ft min). You can load this machine any way you want and still do +2000
ft/min
at 135kts. Wow. Did a few 180's to the ground in it too and its got a
really comfy
glide angle, descent rate, and a whole lot of rotor left for the pitch
pull.

The only thing I don't care for is Bell's penchant for hydraulic controls
which are
way over-boosted in my opinion. I've gotten pretty used to it in my Jet
Ranger,
but in the 407 the T/R is boosted too. The reason I don't like how much
boost
they have is that it's too easy to put an input in without feeling that
you've done it.
A little more feedback in the stick and pedals would be really nice.

I also got to sit in the 609 Tilt-Rotor prototype. Boy would that thing be a
blast to
fly. Those "rotellers" are stinking HUGE!. Its got a nice roomy cockpit
too. You're
not even close to bumping elbows with the other pilot, and theres tons of
head and leg
room. The cabin is about the size of a CJ2.

I got a sneak peek at the software that will run the glass cockpit in the
new 429 too.
Its really spiffy. While it bears some resemblance to the glass in the new
Eurocopters
it doesnt have the "French" idiosyncrasies. The've got some new concepts for
displaying
information to the pilot that will be really useful if they can get it all
past the FAA.

BTW: Bell has a new customer facility in in Arlington TX, at KAFW. Its
really nice
and posh. Their customer service has always been top notch, but now its got
pinache'.
I'll miss the old place a little though, I always liked the obstacle course
you had to fly
through when departing the flight-line, and looking at all the kewl stuff in
their parts
warehouse on the way to lunch.

Bart

Bart: For contrast, I got to fly 5 different ships and three different
types in three days recently. Three different Safaris, one Hummingbird and
a 300# ultralite Mosquito. I can't quote all the performance specs, but I
can tell you I was surprised by the stability of the little ultra lite
Mosquito. Since it has a two stroke motor, I restricted myself to hover
taxi, but the owner put on a good show with only 15hrs TT and no prior helo
dual!!! I told him to immediately stop that stuff and go get some dual. At
least some autorotation practice.
The Hummingbird was the biggest thing that I've had the controls of and felt
smooth and easy to fly. No hydraulics. I understand that the autos are
similar to the Bell 47.
I'm not jealous of your flying those big expensive birds. I don't want to
become addicted to something I can't afford. The winner in my little test
case would probably be the Mosquito if it had a 4 stroke or turbine engine.
I raced two stroke motorcycles enough to not trust the things.
Stu Fields

"B4RT" wrote in message
...
I got the excellent opportunity to fly an EC120, AS350, Jet Ranger, and
407
all within a two day span. And the winner is: The Bell 407.

There are features I really like about the Eurocopters like their cabin
layout,
comfy seats, excellent maintenance access, and baggage storage areas.
However, from a performance and aerodynamic perspective the 407 has it all
over these machines. I did a max performance T/O in the 407 and had to
lower
the collective because I was doing 3000 ft min (1000ft/min above its
redline
of
2000ft min). You can load this machine any way you want and still do +2000
ft/min
at 135kts. Wow. Did a few 180's to the ground in it too and its got a
really comfy
glide angle, descent rate, and a whole lot of rotor left for the pitch
pull.

The only thing I don't care for is Bell's penchant for hydraulic controls
which are
way over-boosted in my opinion. I've gotten pretty used to it in my Jet
Ranger,
but in the 407 the T/R is boosted too. The reason I don't like how much
boost
they have is that it's too easy to put an input in without feeling that
you've done it.
A little more feedback in the stick and pedals would be really nice.

I also got to sit in the 609 Tilt-Rotor prototype. Boy would that thing be
a
blast to
fly. Those "rotellers" are stinking HUGE!. Its got a nice roomy cockpit
too. You're
not even close to bumping elbows with the other pilot, and theres tons of
head and leg
room. The cabin is about the size of a CJ2.

I got a sneak peek at the software that will run the glass cockpit in the
new 429 too.
Its really spiffy. While it bears some resemblance to the glass in the new
Eurocopters
it doesnt have the "French" idiosyncrasies. The've got some new concepts
for
displaying
information to the pilot that will be really useful if they can get it all
past the FAA.

BTW: Bell has a new customer facility in in Arlington TX, at KAFW. Its
really nice
and posh. Their customer service has always been top notch, but now its
got
pinache'.
I'll miss the old place a little though, I always liked the obstacle
course
you had to fly
through when departing the flight-line, and looking at all the kewl stuff
in
their parts
warehouse on the way to lunch.

Bart