macgruber

All.


My boss has owned a corporate jet now for about 3 years. He wanted me to look into the possibility of buying a helicopter to transport him and his wife around town to and from his house. He would also take trips around 80-100 NM away. He would want me to get trained in it as his pilot as well. We have narrowed it down to a Bell 206, or R66 This is a new venture for me as well as him. I have no helicopter time whatsoever. I am just looking for insight, idea's, and things to avoid. I think one of the main problems will be insurance.

As always any and all reply's are appreciated.

Xems

One of the first things you might want to look at is the feasibility of operating a helicopter at your bosses house. Depending upon the municipality, county, and state involved, it can range from being relatively simple up to impossible. Not to mention the neighbors! I've had experience with neighbors being over a mile away, and they were still able to block helicopter operations. The FAA is really the least of your worries for off airport helicopter ops. Some owners like to operate on the "do now and ask forgiveness later" rule, but, after ownership of the helicopter, it's too late to realize you can't do what the boss wants.

As far as the helicopter of choice, while there is nothing wrong with either the Bell or the Robinson (personal preference for me would be the Bell, think Cessna product support, and building helicopters since WWII.), you might also want to make sure the boss really understands the limitations of a single engine VFR helicopter. Single pilot night flying with no autopilot and landing in a marginally lit area like the bosses tennis court (been there, done that), can quickly turn into an adventure you might not really feel like doing. You are going from the highly structured IFR environment of the fixed wing world, to a world where you quite often have to make it up as you go along. Scud running can rear its ugly head quickly in the helicopter environment.

As far as you being the pilot, I have seen high time fixed wing pilots that make the transition look easy, but I have seen more that really struggle at it. I think it is a mental adjustment to go from the airplane to the helicopter (I did it in reverse, and it was quite the adjustment for me as well!). You might want to see about a contract/mentor pilot that can help get you over the hump.

After all of that, I must say that flying a helicopter is about the most fun a person can have. The world takes on a whole new look from 500 agl. Go and have fun with it! If you have any questions, feel free to pm me.

useless

As a 9000+ hr fixed wing guy and a 100+ heli guy, I can attest, you will probably get yourself into trouble. I have made some mistakes that almost totaled the heli because I thought I could handle it. I knew I could handle it in the airplane and tricked myself into believing it was not big deal in the helicopter on that particular day.

For sure learn to fly rotorcraft, it is a great experience and, for me, some of the most exciting flying I have done, BUT be very aware of your short comings and lack of ability in a helicopter compared to an airplane.

I'm sure you know as well as I that it is much different when flying for fun vs needing to get there to please the boss.

54fighting

Have to agree with the above poster. Getting yourself into the helo is a completely different animal and it is very easy to get yourself into a bad situation at the blink of an eye. Sure straight and level is the same as an airplane, but that is about the only thing they share in common. Personally, I would not recommend it for someone with zero experience. I am dual rated but received my helo training in the military.

If he is serious about a helo, try to find either a long term contract or full time pilot and get more experience that way. If it were me, I would just get the full time helo guy.

macgruber

Thanks Guys

My boss lives on about a 50 acre spread in the middle of the country so im not too worried about the neighbors. However you still never know and a great point.

Also, As much as I want to look at the situation objectively without bias, hiring a full time contract would probably be the smartest way to go. However the pilot in me would KILL to have an oppurtunity to get a rotorcraft rating. I do have about 10 hours instruction in a 206 and was some of the most fun I have ever had in my career. My boss is a very reasonable man and down to earth. He would never expect me to do something i am not comfortable with. This is more of just a toy for him than a buisness tool (unlike the airplane). We would most likely hire an instructor and put him on some sort of retainer to fly with me on a long term basis. But really in the end it is what is in his best interest. Even if that means hiring a full time helo guy.

But it sure would be fun!


Thanks for all the posts. all advice is appreciated

54fighting

I think that is a pretty good idea. In my opinion, which doesn't mean much, I think he would appreciate you bringing up your concerns about being THE pilot on his newly acquired helo. It sounds like you have the right attitude towards approaching the boss about this. Good luck in the new venture and the B-206 is a great airframe which would serve you well.

ekuflyer

Try to get him to spring for a 407. Night and day from a 206.

Zoot Suit

Right there tells me you will be flying "IFR" when the sun goes down to get him home. It will be pitch black with no horizon. Any hills or mountains? Way too easy to get yourself in trouble as a low time helo pilot but as others said, the 206 is a nice way to get in to helicopters for both the owner and a new pilot.

dosbo

Go with the bell product you couldn't pay me enough to fly a robinson. Never flown one but have seen them up close and they give me the heebeegeebee's.

If your boss is serious ask to be sent to a Bell course for qualification. Also have an agreement that you will not out fly your comfort level in the helicopter until you gain adequate experience. Airplanes like to fly, Helicopters like to bite you in the a$$, and they usually only have to do it once to kill you.

Be careful.

mswmsw

Might also want to look at a Eurocopter A-Star, like maybe an AS350B2.... if the two guys sitting up front (you and your boss?) are BIG guys, they will appreciate the more spacious front office as compared to similar class/size Bell machines.