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[IKE]

I think this is where a lot of people are getting confused. This is not designed to replace the HTs. The students doing COPT-R still do a full HT syllabus. They're just not going to Primary. I'm pretty sure the transition from a T-Cyclic is a lot less jarring than the transition from a T-6 and students seem to make that work.

This seems really important to reiterate. I'll admit to not grasping this key point early in the thread. I can truly say my 89 hours in the T-34C did nearly nothing for my helicopter stick and rudder ... er, cyclic and pedal skills.

Yes, I learned an ounce of officer ship, and a pound of EP memorization, flight planning, Air nav, etc. during Primary. But nothing about the T-34 prepared me for trying to hover inside that little concrete square during HT FAM 1.

 

[taxi1]

trying to hover inside that little concrete square during HT FAM 1.

 

[Randy Daytona]

As already discussed, this is possible in any underslung rotor system. The NYC 206 crash in April of this year was caused by Mast Bumping. You're right, the problem isn't alleviated - because physics is a harsh mistress - but it's also not unique to the R66.

Thanks for that info. From what I saw, it looked liked the A frame mounts had separated and the rotor system with the transmission had separated (corrosion or metal fatigue) - did not know that it was finally determined as mast bumping.

 

[Griz882]

Thanks for that info. From what I saw, it looked liked the A frame mounts had separated and the rotor system with the transmission had separated (corrosion or metal fatigue) - did not know that it was finally determined as mast bumping.

They haven’t. I’ll wait for the final report, but my highly untrained eye sees structural failure, not mast bumping.