Helio Courier

[Robert Lees]

I had a bit of fun in a Helio Courier at my home field last week. Very heavy on the right foot, and very heavy on the Avgas bill too!

The leading edge slats have a life of their own, and whether one or all four are deployed seems to make no difference.

The manual flaps give your right arm a good seeing to (careful: there are ladies listening!)

It's a heavy beast, but like most military aircraft, what a delight to fly (once airborne!). The engine revs like a demented beast, consuming huge amounts of fuel (like all military aircraft).

I'd suggest I would lose in a short-field landing competition.

Maybe someone should take one to Alaska!

[PA1195]

Re: Helio Courier

They have been in Alaska for quite some time. Many private and commercial owners. One quality local op cycles through them between maintenance and repairs from bush use: http://www.wrightairservice.com/about-us/fleet/

I've ridden in them several times, both with manual and electric flaps and 250 and 395 engines. Some bush work, some wildlife surveys. It's easy to get caught in the drag bucket with slats and flaps deployed and no altitude to exchange for airspeed. However survivability when flown into terrain under controlled flight is reportedly good.

Edit: T-Craft type airfoil does good with all the add-ons.

Gary

[Jim Hartley]

Re: Helio Courier

https://youtu.be/PpmzZX7-VtA

[PA1195]

Re: Helio Courier

https://youtu.be/PpmzZX7-VtA

http://flyhelio.com/smf/index.php?topic=893.0

Looks like the trees or terrain at the end of the T/O run might have blocked the head wind...water surface below turned calmer but with some gusts and a slight sink might have started if there was any down draft. Not the first time for that scenario. Had two friends survive similar in a Bellanca Scout on floats in the Brooks Range.

Strong airframe...steel tubes under aluminum cover.

Wrights (linked above) lost another this September on wheels: http://www.ntsb.gov/_layouts/ntsb.av...14X02927&key=1

Like I mentioned they are known to fly but not climb well when dirty and in the left side of the drag bucket when WFO and no where to go.

Edit: PK3500 floats? Looks like them. Flew a set of C models on a leased 185 in 1979. Not the best for quick takeoff except in rough water. Lots of skin drag. May never take off with a load on a hot calm day with no waves or on smooth rivers in a turn.

Gary