My first rating and owned aircraft was in a robinson R22 helicopter.  they are great fun and the robinson helicopters very reliable and not outragious maintenance.  Insurance is on par with our lancairs.

My suggestion is if you are going to get a rating and use it- learn in a robinson as you can fly legally any heli with hours in a robi but can't fly a robi with hours in another brand due to sfar73(as i recall).

I personally made several mini vacations spending 3-7 days at a time in gulfport, ms getting my private heli, then in south fla getting my commercial then at orange county, calif getting my heli instrument rating.  I think that the robinson web site has a list of schools.

Helicopters are great fun but you'll need to retrain your impulses so as not push when things are not going well as unweighting the rotors can cause mast bumping.

Personally, i think the robinson R44 or the new R66 turbine are the best most reliable and affordable personal helis out there.  But alas I digress as I have not flown (nor been able to afford) a heli since I sold my R22 to pay for divorce lawyers in 2005!

have fun, fly safe, and happy healthy holidays!

David Weinsweig
Lancair Propjet N750DW
weinsweigd@gmail.com

>>> liegner@ptd.net 12/19/2012 7:42 AM >>>
I've been getting the itch to do something different.  Anyone have advice about taking helicopter lessons?  There's a Bell 47 trainer nearby with a small flight school.

Perhaps our Lancair family can render comment (either way).

Jeff L
LIVP

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