Anyone here flown , built or operated a Rotarway Helicopter?
That was a spelling tip, not grammar. Misspellings typically bring up mixed results, dontchaknow. But yeah, capitalizing on bad spellers can be lucrative. 6 Ways to Optimize Your SEO for Misspellings ? And Why It Pays to be a Bad Speller
Well, I am feeling so blessed and informed. If crusing the web looking or typos or grammatical errors is paying dividends for you and keeping a Ferrari in the garage, let alone a chopper, I won't argue with you.
Yes. The assembly is very straight forward if you follow the plans. Don't get creative the plans are spot on. The aircraft is only as good as the person putting it together. I've been around quite a few and seen different approaches to assembly that made me say WTF many, many times. As for flight characteristics it is twitchy to fly but no more so than a R22. I'd even go out on a limb and say it is a bit more stable than a R22 in most modes of flight. There is no governor like in the R22 so pilot workload is a bit more but not difficult. The autos are super smooth and easy which you'll appreciate. If you're thinking of getting one look for a Talon that somebody got bored or frustrated of assembling. These are fine enough aircraft but I'm a Robinson man through and through and would encourage anyone looking at a two place heli to look for an R22 thats close to being run out.
I like the 300Cs and have time in Hillers. But 300s are pricey. I had heard that you do not have to do the mandatory Robinson rebuild if they are not used for commercial purposes. Not sure if that's true. If so, an R22 can be bought reasonably as they get age and time on them. Seems like a local R44 owner was really pissed about blade delamination. Not sure if that applies to the R22.
There is a new AD that affects 22's and 44's This is going to be very expensive for operators especially the poor buggers with the R44 Astro. It seems to me that Robinson should be paying for this but of course the burden is on the owner. That A600 Talon is looking better and better. Maybe this is a sign to go Fixed Wing. FAA will require replacement of certain Robinson main rotor blades | Vertical Magazine - The Pulse of the Helicopter Industry
Definitely do your homework on the Rotorway. I am not a fan (no pun intended). If the R22 is in your budget, then I recommend going that route. I started on a R22, then moved to the R44 before going Bell. It has been 15 years since I had the 22, but it was a good ship. Plus, if you get one after the blades have been changed to the aluminum ones, then you don't have that issue to deal with. I looked at a 300 before I went with the R22, but it is soooo slow.
I've got about half an hour in one of the R162. Do NOT get one of the early examples of the Rotorway, like the Scorpion, etc. Learn a lot about the rotor drive system, clutches(or lack thereof) and the type of drive it has. There's been a fair amount of changes over the years. The R162 handles fine for a light heli in normal weather. Note that this is a very low mass rotor disk so if something goes wrong, you need to have your hand on the collective and dump it very fast. Also, as I learned, don't forget the counterweight on the opposing skid if you are solo.
did you by chance find this out the hard way on a ship that was purchased in Az. then trailered to Tx?
If we're talking about the same ship I'd be surprised if the collective was wrong. Homer Bell helped my friend on the final rigging and I spent quite a bit of time in it. It flew great and performed as it should have. I don't know what happened once it was in the new owners possession other than forgetting to move the weight but was happy to hear both occupants got out ok. Do you know if the ship was ever rebuilt?
I've also been interrested by the Rotorway since a little while. I've talked to the Canadian dealer and he has some for sale at very good prices. He also told me to make sure to inspect the ship properly for proper building. I think a properly built used exemple will be the way to go for me if I buy one. Cheaper at the end and ready to fly. Have you Watch the serie of video on youtube from a UK TV show who is building one? A lot of work and for this reason I'm not sure I would see the finish product by myself. Here is the link in case you haven't see it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kN8N3Gc17Q8
I had my first flight in a Rotorway yesterday. I was sincerely impressed. Hard winds and gusty and it flew very well. It was a 2012 Talon A 600 very well built and a very safe pilot. There are a lot of horror stories about the RW but when properly built and maintained I've been told the're good ship. Keep in mind some owners are just stupids. BTW Docmirror the RW blades are around 44 lbs compared to the R22 at 22 lbs which makes reaction time much longer on the RW because of inertia force. The RW are known for very good autorotation qualities. Image Unavailable, Please Login
I've just picked one up, starting to go thru it. 100 hours on the clock Image Unavailable, Please Login
Cool, get more pics. What is it, 90,162 or ? I'm very close to buy one now. I have two that I need to decide between. Should go to inspect them with an expert very soon. Both 162F with around 500hrs. I flew in one of the two about a month ago. Are you a member of ROG?
I found my bird yesterday. I verbally comitted to buy so if everything goes as it should it will be mine. A 2008 162F with less than 100hrs TT. Finished and registered in 2011 so it is fairly new. Very nicely built and babied by it's actual original owner builder. 74 years old that can't renew his license.
