Posted on Apr 17, 2017
CPT Aviation Officer
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CPT Jack Durish
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This is one of the reasons I love RP. I get to learn as I sit on the sidelines observing discussions I know nothing about
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LCDR Keith Trepanier
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It all depends on what you think makes one helicopter better than another for training.
The Bell 206 in whatever variation you want, TH-67, TH-57, glass cockpit, or steam gauges, has a lot of things going for it as a trainer. It is fairly durable, it is forgiving if you make a wrong input, and it is relatively inexpensive.
A Robinson in any iteration is a horrible trainer in my opinion because it is unforgiving, but it is cheap and that is why you see so many out there.
The EC-145 is a great aircraft, is relatively forgiving, but it is expensive. The other issue is that it is dual engine. Great if you want people to get used to flying twin engine aircraft but as a primary trainer it is overkill.
A single engine aircraft like the Bell 206 with a glass cockpit would be perfect for starting off and then use the LUH later for more refined training as they transition. If you have to choose go with the 206
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PO3 Steven Sherrill
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CPT (Join to see) 1stSgt Glenn Brackin If the Army was looking for a trainer, why didn't they look for something like the Robinson R66, R44 or even R22 for initial flight training? They would need advanced training on specific airframes later, but that is true regardless. These are not beefy military machines, but for initial flight training, they would seem to be both economical to purchase, and economical to maintain.
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PO3 Steven Sherrill
PO3 Steven Sherrill
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1stSgt Glenn Brackin - Ok, that makes sense, but raises another (maybe stupid) question: If we already have a good system in place with solid, proven aircraft, Why change at all?
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PO3 Steven Sherrill
PO3 Steven Sherrill
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1stSgt Glenn Brackin - Thanks for the information. Good luck.
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CPT Aviation Officer
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1stSgt Glenn Brackin - But I'll be going through the A/L Blackhawk course, which is definitely not a glass cockpit. I understand that most of the air-frames are glass cockpits, but not all of them yet.
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