Hey Broome and beeb aero pukes!

If you ever want to ride in a old Huey or Cobra...i think they still go to shows and give rides.

https://armyav.org/rides-programs/

Also at Oshkosh every year there are some bell 47's giving rides...the Korean era MASH helicopter.

https://www.eaa.org/en/airventure/f...-rides-at-airventure/bell-47-helicopter-rides

 

I can appreciate these birds from the ground, thank you.

 

I've had a few minutes of stick time in a Cobra, but it was cruising along at about 1500 feet, so it felt very much like flying a fixed wing. Got a chance to try and hover an OH-58 (Jet Ranger) and failed miserably. It was like trying to balance a ping pong ball on top of a bowling ball.
In my younger days I thought it would be cool to be a rotary wing pilot, but I wasn't to keen on all the rules I'd have to follow as an Army pilot. Now it's too expensive to pay for myself, even if I built my own helicopter. I am seriously thinking about building my own plane and getting a fixed wing license though.
Flying in a Huey nap of the earth with the doors open was a similar sensation of speed that I got roadracing. Probably why I ended up roadracing for so long.
As you all know, there's something undeniably cool hanging off your bike in a fast corner with your knee skimming the pavement. It's like low level flight

 

It's so worth it

 

about fifteen years ago, I saved up and went through a helicopter flight school, and as soon as I got my private ticket, I bought an R22 and have loved every minute of it! I am also surprised there are not more heli guys here as well. I totally dig my bikes, but I also totally dig owning a heli.

I bet he Astar is awesome!!

 

The Astar is awesome to fly. Fast and comfortable.
I have as many hours in it aas I do the the 44 training. I think every hour in the Astar sets me back 2 hrs in the 44, b/c its so easy to fly. 3 blades makes a huge difference in stability.
Its like owning a Porsche GT3 and learning to drive in a Volkswagin Beetle.

 

Friend of mine works accounting at the local not-for-profit hospital. He sees the bills for the life flights...

$10K just to fire up the engine.