Thread: Robinson helicopters - new possible rules CAA

Originally Posted by Smiddy

So does all this info that's been bought to everyone's eyes put people off flying in them?
My wife said "if I asked you to stop flying in Robbies would you?"
I said "probily not" so she never asked ha


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The 3 Time's I've flown in we have had way too much gear for a wee Robbie anyway.
I see the attraction (price) For a solo trip to the tops tho.
Altho it's a bit like Helmets for motorbiking and the old saying "Get a cheap helmet if you have a cheap head"

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Depends on who is flying it?

Originally Posted by Smiddy

So does all this info that's been bought to everyone's eyes put people off flying in them?
My wife said "if I asked you to stop flying in Robbies would you?"
I said "probily not" so she never asked ha


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My wife made me promise never to get in one again and I won't. I used to own one and loved it. She was a grunty wee machine.
It was destroyed by mast bump along with a damn good mate.


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Originally Posted by outdoorlad

Depends on who is flying it?

"Richie"

They are a piece of shit.With no structural integrity.Much Safer Walking...

Aviation Reports

The key lesson arising from this inquiry is that helicopter pilots must be fully aware that a condition of low-G (feeling of lightness or weightlessness) can result in: a rapid right roll; mast bumping; and in-flight break-up before even the most experienced pilot can react and recover the situation. Pilots need to fly in a manner that avoids low-G conditions rather than allow them to develop and then expect that they can recover from them.

Also, my concern is the construction and integrity of the blades.

Some interesting parallels in some posts above with some of the more recent thinking and statements on workplace health and safety. Those of us in the forestry industry have all heard more than once recently the mantra ' you shouldn't die on the job just because you made a simple mistake....' and so have had to make changes to work practices and equipment to essentially protect people from each other and themselves. Maybe that thinking is migrating into aviation (drivers and passengers) too?

Originally Posted by tetawa

interested in the input from pilots who may have discussed it with other overseas pilots. Wondered if "pilot error" was being pushed there.

I haven't had anything to do with Robinsons for well over a decade and admit to being completely out of the loop with both the type and the NZ scene.
In 2004 I would have told you that when operated and maintained within the limitations of the Robinson manuals, they are an extremely safe and capable series of helicopter. I still run with that statement, however this thread has me questioning it pretty hard. There is obviously something going on here.

To answer your question Tetawa, this issue is not at the forefront of discussion in my wee corner of the industry, but it's prompted me to get talking. Those stats comparing the occurrence rates between NZ and the States would need to be broken down further to draw any hard conclusions that there is a 'New Zealand' aspect to the problem.

Eventually some poor sod will capture one on a GoPro, then there will hopefully be some hard facts to work with.

Watch: What is a Robinson helicopter


Interesting video for those who want to know more about Robinson rotor head design

I spoke to my mate who did 2000 hours in his own R22 II on venison . His comment ...really.

Heard a joke some time ago.........How do you get yourself a Robinson helicopter? Buy 100 acres and wait.......!

Heard a snippet on the radio a short while ago, saying that DOC were not happy with the Robinson safety record and were no longer going to use them for any doc work.

That’s been the case for a little while now. Well down here anyway


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Originally Posted by JoshC

That’s been the case for a little while now. Well down here anyway


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Not just Robinson machines they're not using any piston driven helicopters.

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Interesting as old man just did a run on pigs and wallabies for DOC, in a Cabri. Does it only apply to work that involves their staff getting in the machine?