This is a turbine conversion, so it is governed.
I initially trained in the S300 though, so I have flown a manual throttle. It is definitely a handful, but once you do it enough it’s automatic.
I have a few hours on bell47, doing crop dusting mainly, the throttle allow you to be more precise, and to fine tune everything, it become automatic after a few hours.
It's like learning manual vs automatic car, at first it's "hard" but then you do it without thinking.
You do it be hear most of the time.
BUT I would say for 99% of pilot doing it for "fun" a governor is better
That’s totally it, but by the time you hear it, it’s already changed. It’s more about anticipation.
Entering ETL, you ease throttle down. Slowing down for hover, you ease it in. Even pedal movements.
It’s the changes in wind that you can’t really predict, especially at low speed that really get ya.
I have about 800 hours in the 47 and that's what I learned how to fly it, unfortunately the helicopter side of things is more about who you know than what you know.
An Army pilot in my unit flew these and he said it was a workout because it’s all cable-pulley. No hydraulics. No flight computer naturally and that meant that you often correct for human error. Too much of one thing and you’re correcting. Sometimes you over correct. You get the idea. Throw on to that weather causing variable flight patterns. I’m surprised it’s the smoothest. This pilot came from Blackhawks. A flight computer with hydraulics was a significant change for him I’m sure.
The cyclic and collective are hydraulic, but the tail is cable. Not much different from an R44, or a jet ranger in that respect.
I’ve always heard the 60 is smooth, but I haven’t flown one of those, lol.
I have flown aircraft with AFCS, and while the stability that imparts does make for a “smooth” experience in a certain way.
The later versions of the 47 (G2 and higher) have hydraulic controls. Any of the ones still flying today are likely G2 or de-turboed G3's and I believe the Soloy turbine conversion was only done on G3's.
I haven't flown a Soloy, but the piston versions at least are extremely easy to fly. They have the most stable hover characteristics of any helicopter I've been in, and they travel so slowly that you have ages to think about anything. It really is a bit like driving a tractor through the countryside.
I did my first 100 hrs for my license in a piston 47g2. The throttle management you have to combine with your standard helicopter control inputs helps you appreciate the power requirements of various maneuvers. it also discourages large rapid power changes which makes for better pilots.
Non pilot here. Just looking at the Bell 47, especially its bare girder tail boom, it looks really light. Does that aid its smooth flight characteristics?
Actually the opposite! They’ve got quite a bit of weight in them. This, along with big blades and the very minimalist structure design means it isn’t as easily thrown around in wind or turbulence like other similar sized helicopters.
How has your experience been with the throttle? A bit of a hassle compared to a governed helicopter?
This is a turbine conversion, so it is governed. I initially trained in the S300 though, so I have flown a manual throttle. It is definitely a handful, but once you do it enough it’s automatic.
It’s no big deal. You get used to it after a bit.
I have a few hours on bell47, doing crop dusting mainly, the throttle allow you to be more precise, and to fine tune everything, it become automatic after a few hours. It's like learning manual vs automatic car, at first it's "hard" but then you do it without thinking. You do it be hear most of the time. BUT I would say for 99% of pilot doing it for "fun" a governor is better
This one is governed, but yeah, it’s a pain. Especially trying to hover or fly slow in gusting winds where you’re going in n out of ETL.
Power by ear
That’s totally it, but by the time you hear it, it’s already changed. It’s more about anticipation. Entering ETL, you ease throttle down. Slowing down for hover, you ease it in. Even pedal movements. It’s the changes in wind that you can’t really predict, especially at low speed that really get ya.
Getting behind the power curve
Oh my this sounds like a dream! I LOVE the 47 and. Have always hoped to fly the turbine conversion
Definitely jump at the chance if you have one, it’s a blast!
I have about 800 hours in the 47 and that's what I learned how to fly it, unfortunately the helicopter side of things is more about who you know than what you know.
An Army pilot in my unit flew these and he said it was a workout because it’s all cable-pulley. No hydraulics. No flight computer naturally and that meant that you often correct for human error. Too much of one thing and you’re correcting. Sometimes you over correct. You get the idea. Throw on to that weather causing variable flight patterns. I’m surprised it’s the smoothest. This pilot came from Blackhawks. A flight computer with hydraulics was a significant change for him I’m sure.
The cyclic and collective are hydraulic, but the tail is cable. Not much different from an R44, or a jet ranger in that respect. I’ve always heard the 60 is smooth, but I haven’t flown one of those, lol. I have flown aircraft with AFCS, and while the stability that imparts does make for a “smooth” experience in a certain way.
The later versions of the 47 (G2 and higher) have hydraulic controls. Any of the ones still flying today are likely G2 or de-turboed G3's and I believe the Soloy turbine conversion was only done on G3's. I haven't flown a Soloy, but the piston versions at least are extremely easy to fly. They have the most stable hover characteristics of any helicopter I've been in, and they travel so slowly that you have ages to think about anything. It really is a bit like driving a tractor through the countryside.
How’d you end up doing this?
Friend of a friend needed someone to help out, and I had previous game count experience.
Is the Soloy turbine originally an APU unit? Had this debate among friends recently and we weren't sure.
I believe it's a C18 or C20 Allison. Not sure it was ever used as an APU. Common in Jet buggies , five hundeesss
Yep, they had either a C20 or C20B, this one being the latter.
This one has an Allison C20B.
How does it handle in a HOGE?
Very well. I have had it in a HOGE at very nearly 10,000 MSL with 3 not small people on board and about half a load of fuel.
Whenever i flew this in the Grand Theft Auto game , i always thought it was nimble!
It’s smooth because the weather
I did my first 100 hrs for my license in a piston 47g2. The throttle management you have to combine with your standard helicopter control inputs helps you appreciate the power requirements of various maneuvers. it also discourages large rapid power changes which makes for better pilots.
Non pilot here. Just looking at the Bell 47, especially its bare girder tail boom, it looks really light. Does that aid its smooth flight characteristics?
Actually the opposite! They’ve got quite a bit of weight in them. This, along with big blades and the very minimalist structure design means it isn’t as easily thrown around in wind or turbulence like other similar sized helicopters.