Robinson R44 - Complete beginner

Drexl Spivey

I went for a 60mn helicopter flight today (voucher) in Weston.

I enjoyed it. The skilled pilot made it enjoyable.

When I got a hold of the stick (cyclic) it felt weird to fly the Robinson R44 (it was extremely sensitive, didn't get a feedback, ..). I imagine this takes a lot of practice.

When I learnt how to drive, I took my mother's car and practiced on my own. Obviously you can't do that with an aircraft.

Q1: What experience do you have from starting from scratch?

Q2: Is it possible to hear the air traffic controllers from an amateur radio station or something, to get familiar with the wording, .. ?

Q3: As a matter of interest, how much does it cost to get to PPL? (approx.)

b757

Q1, Only doing my ppl(a) at the moment, great fun.. Should go for it (if finances allow)

Q2, Yes you can use LiveATC (http://www.liveatc.net/search/?icao=eidw)

Q3, Could cost anywhere between €12-18k, if not more depending on type of helicopter, your ability, instructor, weather and time between lessons.

There aren't many places that do helicopter training in Ireland.. (Dublin and Galway i think), but this place is one of them and looks good.. Based in Dublin/Wicklow (Newcastle).

http://www.helicopters.ie/categories/training-ii/ppl-h-course

Drexl Spivey

b757, didn't you find the T shaped Cyclic a little awkward? It felt like I didn't have control I wonder if it would have been better if I was sitting on the left seat.


I wonder if it is possible to use a simulator at Weston.

TW Mr Tayto

Drexl Spivey wrote: »

b757, didn't you find the T shaped Cyclic a little awkward? It felt like I didn't have control I wonder if it would have been better if I was sitting on the left seat.


I wonder if it is possible to use a simulator at Weston.

The T-bar shape is controversial among those who dislike Robinson helicopters. I've flown R-22 (20 hours), R-44 (done my PPL a 44) and a trial lesson in a Schweitzer 269 (conventional "stick" cyclic). I can say with confidence that I am a fan of the T-Bar. It has many mobility advantages, and after an hour or two it feels NATURAL, and CONTROLLED.

There are of course, arguments against the T-bar. But it is similar* to if some cars came with a circular steering wheel and others with a triangular one. You'll always have someone on one side badmouthing the other.

* I say similar because there are obvious advantages to a circular steeping wheel; but it's the best analogy I could think of at the moment.

If you can afford it, definitely try doing your PPL(H). You should never pay up front, so think of the payments spaced out over a year or so depending on how often you train. I'm a bit strapped for cash atm (and doing my Leaving), so I haven't been flying recently; but I've seen one PPL I know putting up pictures of the hotels (Avon Ri, etc) he has visited by helicopter. It's just so much good fun.

If you decide to go for it, don't get put off by the thought of ground school, it can often be done in the winter when you can't fly much anyway (high winds make hovering difficult at the beginning). Personally, I found the ground school interesting. You'll feel a great accomplishment from understanding how the machine works, and can wow your friends by being able to tell the weather much better than the weatherman/woman on RTE.

If you decide NOT to do your PPL, you can always hint at friends and family that a voucher would be a brilliant gift. Each of those hours will count towards your license if you decide to do it down the road

Was the instructor's name Lee/Paul by any chance?

Drexl Spivey

TW Mr Tayto wrote: »

The T-bar shape is controversial among those who dislike Robinson helicopters. I've flown R-22 (20 hours), R-44 (done my PPL a 44) and a trial lesson in a Schweitzer 269 (conventional "stick" cyclic). I can say with confidence that I am a fan of the T-Bar. It has many mobility advantages, and after an hour or two it feels NATURAL, and CONTROLLED.[/QUOTED]

Thanks for the feedback. I would like to be able to control it but after a few mn I didn't have a good feel.
This is why I was wondering about a simulator to get practice.

TW Mr Tayto wrote: »

If you decide NOT to do your PPL, you can always hint at friends and family that a voucher would be a brilliant gift. Each of those hours will count towards your license if you decide to do it down the road

I didn't get any certificate or anything at the end. I wonder if my 60mn voucher counted.

Was the instructor's name Lee/Paul by any chance?

Lee was the pilot. I really liked him. He made the experience enjoyable (although I was thinking too much of looking at the instruments and trying to get a grip of the cyclic) and the last bit was excellent: back at the airport a demo of the maneuverability of the R44 (hovering, use of the pedals to spin on the spot, then pulling the stick slightly to go back, then up with the throttle to do all at once. etc ..)

TW Mr Tayto

http://www.helicopters.ie/115-our-products-4/158-robinson-r44-helicopter-simulator-for-skywest

From what I've heard, they HOPE to move it to Weston when it's finished.