Jeff

I've been a professional helicopter pilot for 15 years, having flown 25 different RW types and now employed as a RW QTP. The Bell 47 is a great aircraft to fly, with forgiving handling qualities (high inertia rotor head) and yet relatively inexpensive to operate. I personally prefer the it over the R22 (Frank Robinson's little helicopter has very narrow safety margins and in the hands of an inexperienced person it has bitten many (just search the NTSB database)).

A few points to note:
1. helicopter flying is expensive (owning one is often a money pit!)
2. budget on 10 hours just to work out how to hover
3. be smooth on the controls
4. ALWAYS be very careful when the prevailing wind isn't on the nose
5. ALWAYS be careful doing a hover turn and never get complacent
6. have a read of trainee accident statistics on NTSB so you don’t relearn their mistakes

Lastly, helicopter flying is great fun - it's cool to land on a deserted beach and go for a swim, park outside a country pub for lunch, fly NOE (nap of the earth) at 25 ft and 80 kts. Give it a go!

Patrick
LIVP (50%)