FYI, while the FAA has approved the R44's new empennage, as of Feburary 2024 EASA certification is still pending. So, European R44 operators will have to wait a bit longer for the horizontal stabilizer.
@MicahMuzio Thanks for taking us with you during this flight. You asked a lot of great questions. What is that "box" shaking like it's going to fall down @6:27? I'm guessing our car enthusiast is going to be purchasing a Retrofit Kit for his Robinson R44. 🚁 😎
@@gwgrote5That box is the magnetic compass. And yes, I suspect demand for the empennage kit is going to be huge, but first chance I have I’ll be installing it on my bird.
Great job on this assignment Micah. Cheers to Robinson as well, to get you in the air with their test pilot and provide insight into this important aerodynamic design enhancement. His candor on the subject is most refreshing and reflects well on the company's desire for continuous product improvement and pilot education.
The test pilot in this video is an absolute badass. He gave me so much information that I attribute to all my years working for mde as a helicopter TP. Working in the corporate world down here has gotten me a consistent pay check amounting to over 500k a year plus bonuses. My clients love to hear the physics of what is going on when I’m transporting them and I think it keeps their minds off the actual flight.
I hate to say this but it looks kind of half assed like they just said let me see we’ll just stick it here with braces, instead of going through the tail boom. But I guess they did it like that so it could be retro fit.
The Bell 505 uses similar technology, as does the Enstrom 280fx that combines a symmetrical empennage with a vertical stabilizer in one. It saved my rear end when I lost TR effectiveness by allowing the tail to “fly” more or less straight until the end of my (fast) auto. Now…I can’t wait for Enstrom to release their governor kit for the 280fx.
Interesting that no Bell 206 has ever had a fatal low g mast bumping accident. As well as the Bell 505. I’m Shute this corrected the Dutch Roll in the R66 as well.
I owned the first R22 Alpha and taught for years as an instructor that tail rotor thrust was the cause of the roll in low G as the factory course also taught. Four years ago during flight test in a R66 I validated that was near zero of very low tail rotor thrust in most low G accidents the single horizontal at negative angle of attack was was inducing the roll. During initial testing of the prototype Bell 505 it had a single horizontal as well handling qualities were so poor above 80 kts Bell installed the double horizontal they have today. Almost 500 Bell 505 delivered Zero Low G accident!. To my knowledge there is no other certified helicopter with a "Do Not Exceed Speed Expect in Smooth Air" limitation. No Mystery in flight breakups!@@MicahMuzio
@@scotturschel4439 Thanks for the background, Scott. With all that in mind, I'll feel much more comfortable flying my R44 after the horizontal stabilizer is installed. Cheers!
Why didn't Robinson make a T tail horizontal stabiliser similar like 500MD it would have less size, weight and look good.?.....Unless this would infringe on others patents and copy-write issues
I'm not sure but patent issues is one possibility. Another is that the boom was a sturdier mounting point for the stabilizer. However they wound up on the new design, I bet they had their reasons. :)
Well, okay then! Say, when will "Flying the Robinson R44 For Dummies" become available? I have no clue as to what you guys were talking about 🤔. Maybe you weren't even speaking English? 😅
As with any aircraft, the R44 has limits that demand respect. That said, I’m thrilled Robinson have updated the horizontal stabilizer to make low-g conditions more forgiving.
Ah here we go... Dude in a OD green flight suit who is a "experimental test pilot" and yet hasn't gone to a "test pilot school" If you are going to wear a flight suit, zip up the pockets.
