R44 Useful Load

[Jason]

Excuse my ignorance as I know virtually nothing about helicopters but is the R44 a true 4 seat helicopter? And what I mean is - are the back seats big enough for someone to actually sit in and does it have a large enough useful load to actually take 4 people plus enough gas to fly for a decent amount of time? Are there any other 4 seat light helicopter options?

Jason

 

[scottyboy75]

Useful load with full fuel is 700 lbs or 300 lbs per seat. The back seat is big enough to fit real people. At altitude though it can be a pig when at max gross. I do like them quite a bit; hydraulic controls make them easy to fly. I do not know of any other piston four seaters. Enstrom has a three place that handles well and is cheap to operate.

 

[n57flyguy]

Hows the helo instrument going?

(offtopic)

 

[scottyboy75]

It's going. It seems to be the hardest thing I have ever done. Studying for the written is kicking my butt. I am going to take it next week then follow it with the II written.

 

[n57flyguy]

Sweet, good luck man. Must be hard, but probably one of the funnest things on earth. How much actual instrument time do you/have you fly/flown?

 

[scottyboy75]

28 simulated insturment, and 25 simulator (i hate it) time.

 

[n57flyguy]

28 simulated insturment, and 25 simulator (i hate it) time.

Cool, keep us updated! well, me I guess, I think this stuff is sweet!