Any private Robinson R-22 or R-44 owners on this site? I know some folks who are interested in learning about why people are crazy enough to buy a light helicopter and operate it privately. If you're willing to talk about what you wish your Robinson could do, please email me (philg@mit.edu). Thanks in advance!

Philip

p.s. I published my own wishlist at http://philip.greenspun.com/flying/robinson-r44 but I don't think Frank or Kurt ever bothered to read it!

PM sent to a certain one...

I want to sooo bad, but the wife puts her foot down at helicopters.

I got my commercial add on in a R22 and I owned a Raven 1 for about a year and a half after that. I have just enough rotorcraft experience now to know better than to ever climb into a Robinson again!

I got my commercial add on in a R22 and I owned a Raven 1 for about a year and a half after that. I have just enough rotorcraft experience now to know better than to ever climb into a Robinson again!

Why?

Slightly OT, but have any of you guys have any leads for helicopter training around the ATL area +-100 miles(have plane - will travel)? I'd love an "intro" flight - can't afford/no sense for me to go all the way, but it sounds like fun.

Philip,

Not a Robison (primarily due to the 12-year overhaul) but I own/operate a nice later model Bell 47. PM me if you are interested in a non-Robinson perspective.

Glenn

I bet a bunch of other fixed wing pilots like myself would love to learn more Glenn!

Robert

I bet a bunch of other fixed wing pilots like myself would love to learn more Glenn!

Robert

I vividly recall when I saw my first R-22 in CA many years ago (early '80s). I knew I had to have one, and made it happen through hard work. In time, I ran a rotorcraft flight school using R-22 machines, which I combined with commercial work such as surveying, photography, irrigation ditch riding, etc.
Many extraordinary adventures to tell, but in the interest of brevity, here's a couple of the more socially-acceptable ones:
I got a contract with a Mexican TV station to fly a technician once a week to the top of a mountain in CJS, to drop him off and fly the guy who had been on duty back to the airport (that required a clearance from the Mexican department of defense). I recall that the techs begged for two important items: Tequila, and Playboy magazines.
I flew a fully decked out Indian mascot to a baseball game before the first pitch... The approving roar of the crowd could be heard above the rotor noise. The guy got off the machine, and performed a war dance for the fans. (His team won the game).
Flying over I-10 enroute to PHX, I spotted a convertible Mustang with two females on board. I waved at them from some safe altitude, and pointed to the next rest stop. They pulled up, and asked for a flight. I obliged by taking each one to the very top of Picacho Peak, a well-known landmark in the area. I am sure they never forgot that trip.
I had many discussions with Frank Robinson about the wear of the push-pull rods at the fairlead behind the pilot's shoulder, and eventually flew one of my 22's to Torrance to show him the problem. He wouldn't hear of my idea for a fix, but all push-pull rods now have shrink tubing at that wear area. Barbara, who had been his secretary, and then his wife, always treated me well. Sadly, I believe she may have passed from a carcinoma.
Some pilot friends invited me one night to join them at a posh bar at the top of a hotel in the downtown area. I replied "I'll be right over; expect me through the West entrance". I flew that little machine right up to the picture windows on the West side, and turned on the landing lights.... every patron in that bar was literally well-lit that night.
Autorotations in the R-22 can best be described as a mixture between a near-death experience and an orgasm. At our altitude, they were never full-on, and even when I trained in Torrance, they were sliding to a stop. Once the main rotor blades got a bit of weight, things got a bit more comfortable in the auto.
On the down side, I worked so hard at my little operation, that it contributed to the loss of one of my marriages... the late 70's and early 80's were pretty wild times. Luckily, we had no kids.
I still miss the Robbie, and every time I see the turbine- powered one, I still get the same "wants" I felt so many years ago. Mine was one of the most fabulous toys I've ever owned.
I hope my experience helps you in your search.

TN

Yeah. I'd like to hear more.

Prestige Helicopters at PDK. Tell Mike I told you to call him. He will take good care of you. 770-458-6047

Have owned and flown R22 Beta, raven1 R44 and a R44 raven2. Loved them and have more than 1000 hours of use.

Awesome tool and many many memories. Can't bring myself to learn to fly the king air. Strange but true.

Well, with a Gazelle, why would you even want to?

Philip has an excellent blog, I've been reading it for years. Welcome Philip!

I got my rotorcraft add-on in 2012, and my CFI-H in 2014. I fly Robinson R22s and R44s exclusively, and I'm a huge fan of them overall. No ship is perfect, but I'd put the R44 up against many of its much more expensive competitors and it would compare extremely favorably across the board.

I tell everyone if my wife held a gun to my head (not as unlikely as it sounds) and told me to choose between helicopters and fixed wing I wouldn't hesitate a moment to choose the whirly birds. I discovered a few years back one reason I love them so much... helicopters are for people who love to fly, but don't like to go anywhere. That's me

Best,
Jeff