So I’m debating selling my A185F amphib and getting a rotorway jet exec

My understanding is all the running gear is different/better than the piston version


Anyone have any insights on this?

Get an R-44 it'll be cheaper in the long run and it will actually fly. You have to play the hours game(12 years and/or 2,200 hours to rebuild) but they are hard to beat. And they work. I have not flown any Rotorway products but I haven't heard good things, and no one seems to be getting lots of hours in them except for one legendary fellow that may or may not exist. If a R-44 doesn't work and you want a helicopter get a classic Hiller or -47 or something. Just understand how slow they are.
It is the same as everything else they have their believers and haters, no Rotorways ever seem to accumulate significant hours. I can't hate any helicopter but I doubt they are very useful as a semi-reliable flying machine.

This is an Apples & Oranges discussion, two very different rigs for which there is no way to compare them one to one. I find "swing wings" intriguing, they are cool but will never be a replacement for a "fixed wing". Given their eccentricates and shear number of moving parts the last type I'd be buy is a home build. As the previous post said go traditional, Bell, Hillier, Schweizer, Robertson but I'd be steering well clear of a home build or experimental type.

Not trying to sway your decision...I had a buddy who was building one and from a pure engineering perspective, the tail pulley system scared me. Maybe they have changed it in the newer design, but I would take a hard look at it if longevity is one of your goals. I have time in an MD-520 and for similar dollars, you might get into a used one in good shape. I saw several 500's in the 300k range over the last year.

Just my 2 cents.

My understanding is the belt system is replaced with a more conventional drivetrain in the turbine

Still debating if I want to do this as the 185 rocks

Used MD also is interesting, just more $$ and more hangar footprint

Helicopter is great for the forest. Have about 350 hours.

I can afford to have a non rev-working 185

Don’t think I could swing a non working R44, and if I’m gone from home anymore my dog is going to start barking at me lol

Flying tours in a R44 for a while, having a buddy go in the drink with his personal R44 while I was flying tours in another 44, I’m just not sure how I feel about piston helicopter

For some reason single engine piston FW I’m cool with, but piston RW I’m not as sure

Helicopter have their "niche", I just don't see how it can replace a fixed wing. Can they complement each other, yes but not replace unless your going in very different direction with your flying endeavors.

Mapleflt wrote:I'd take a piston power Lycoming R44 over an high strung mini turbine spinning at a gazillion rpm.

I flown some incredibly high time turbines in some incredibly unforgiving conditions, that I am certain I would not fly any recip in.

Having said that, I'd prefer a turbine designed as a RW powerplant, than one designed for use as am APU.

We're it me, I'd look for an early 206. Parts everywhere, immense history, easy sell later on. But... again hard to justify as a toy. Maybe keep the amphib, and add a smaller piston RW?

Take care, Rob

Rob wrote:

Mapleflt wrote:I'd take a piston power Lycoming R44 over an high strung mini turbine spinning at a gazillion rpm.

I flown some incredibly high time turbines in some incredibly unforgiving conditions, that I am certain I would not fly any recip in.

Having said that, I'd prefer a turbine designed as a RW powerplant, than one designed for use as am APU.

We're it me, I'd look for an early 206. Parts everywhere, immense history, easy sell later on. But... again hard to justify as a toy. Maybe keep the amphib, and add a smaller piston RW?

Take care, Rob

True

My understanding is the T61 was designed as a small helicopter turbine before it became a Gen set turbine

Rob wrote:

Mapleflt wrote:I'd take a piston power Lycoming R44 over an high strung mini turbine spinning at a gazillion rpm.

I flown some incredibly high time turbines in some incredibly unforgiving conditions, that I am certain I would not fly any recip in.

Having said that, I'd prefer a turbine designed as a RW powerplant, than one designed for use as am APU.

We're it me, I'd look for an early 206. Parts everywhere, immense history, easy sell later on. But... again hard to justify as a toy. Maybe keep the amphib, and add a smaller piston RW?

Take care, Rob

I'd second the Jet Ranger idea, it's certainly well proven. I'll gladly agree that a helicopter opens up great opportunity to reach places no fixed wing dare to go. However as I've opinioned it's not a one to one replacement. Its complementary to a fixed wing unless its a whole scale rethink of intentions and adventures planned.

Always had my eye on BO105s too

But that’s feeding like 800hp worth of turbine

So you've gone from an experimental rig to a full on whirlybird. I'm starting to think you need to sit down with an adult beverage until this "passing fancy" goes away. I certainly have nothing further too offer on the subject, unless you would like the number for a good therapist.

Mapleflt wrote:So you've gone from an experimental rig to a full on whirlybird. I'm starting to think you need to sit down with an adult beverage until this "passing fancy" goes away. I certainly have nothing further too offer on the subject, unless you would like the number for a good therapist.

Lol

The BO105 was always one of those I could afford to buy it, but maybe not feed it

The jetexec was a I could afford it all around, but all the ones I see have under 100hrs on them

Mapleflt wrote:I'd second the Jet Ranger idea, it's certainly well proven. I'll gladly agree that a helicopter opens up great opportunity to reach places no fixed wing dare to go. However as I've opinioned it's not a one to one replacement. Its complementary to a fixed wing unless its a whole scale rethink of intentions and adventures planned.

Yep, apples and anvils

NineThreeKilo wrote:

Mapleflt wrote:So you've gone from an experimental rig to a full on whirlybird. I'm starting to think you need to sit down with an adult beverage until this "passing fancy" goes away. I certainly have nothing further too offer on the subject, unless you would like the number for a good therapist.

Lol

The BO105 was always one of those I could afford to buy it, but maybe not feed it

The jetexec was a I could afford it all around, but all the ones I see have under 100hrs on them

Maintenance would be the buzzkill for me. I think a ship of that caliber would only work as a non rev toy bird for the extremely well heeled, and those guys are already in a new EC145 If it was really on the shortlist I'd find something for it to do 90% of the time, and the little bit of time you really want to go out and enjoy it, well... it's there. Probably the only reason I own ag

Take care, Rob

Might try googling rotary forums and pose some questions on there. I know that I searched for one several years ago when the rotary bug had hit me also. At the time there was a kit close to me for sale and it intrigued me. There is also a guy in northern MN that built and won an award at Oshkosh for a turbine Rotoway. I think he is in Iron Mountain. There was an article in either Sport Aviation or Kitplanes about his helicopter. Maybe reach out to him and see what he has to say.

As others have stated, it would be a fun seconadry toy. But I would still have a fixed wing for most flying.

I wonder if the posting of a thread like this wasn’t influenced by a few too many adult beverages, the other option could be as simple as trolling.

StillLearning wrote:I wonder if the posting of a thread like this wasn’t influenced by a few too many adult beverages, the other option could be as simple as trolling.

It’s influenced by where I’m buying a place and how I could use the helicopter out of the property, how a 2 rotor blade ship could be simply stored in a garage or even a trailer that could also be towed behind a Tacoma

I went through a period of lusting after lightweight helis and that video has caused a flare-up.

Zzz wrote:I went through a period of lusting after lightweight helis and that video has caused a flare-up.

Bring your FAT wallet