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Went up this morning for another round at feral hogs. Bell Jet Ranger 206, Beretta 12ga extened mag and Winchester SX3 12ga firearms on board. 40 hogs down with 00 buck. if you ever get a chance to do tthis take it.

Wind was a problem so created some problems for lining up on hogs. Excellent pilot on our trip with new pilot (he has his rotary) also flying. This is an ultimate high, and the pilot in our case made sure tthat everything was very safe.

Seriously...a BJR 206?

A mighty expensive rig to hunt hogs from.

Most are using an R22 or 44.

flintknapper wrote:Seriously...a BJR 206?

A mighty expensive rig to hunt hogs from.

Most are using an R22 or 44.

Although a R22 or R44 would be a LOT cheaper, the direct operating cost of a 206B3 would only be in the neighborhood of $300-$400/hr. With a maintenance reserve and profit built into the price it would jump to around $700-$800 an hour. Although, $1000/hr isn't unheard of, I wouldn't pay that much for a B3.

Sidro wrote:Wind was a problem so created some problems for lining up on hogs. Excellent pilot on our trip with new pilot (he has his rotary) also flying. This is an ultimate high, and the pilot in our case made sure tthat everything was very safe.

Are you suggesting that many helicopter pilots aren't certificated? Low and slow with strong or gusty winds while trying to track running hogs is not safe. Please don't fool yourself into believing that what you were doing was safe. There is a great deal of risk in that kind of flying, and (IMHO) the pilot should have briefed you about the inherent risks involved in that kind of operation. There are things (like pilot experience) that help mitigate the risk of low and slow operations, but that kind of flying kills people all the time.

I am so jealous....
Dave

"dcphoto" wrote:

Although a R22 or R44 would be a LOT cheaper,

Yes, like 1/3rd the cost (purchase).

the direct operating cost of a 206B3 would only be in the neighborhood of $300-$400/hr. With a maintenance reserve and profit built into the price it would jump to around $700-$800 an hour. Although, $1000/hr isn't unheard of, I wouldn't pay that much for a B3.

Yes D.O.C. & other cost considerations could easily push it to $800.00 and that doesn't take into consideration the cost of insurance (206 vs. R44).

Where the 206 excels, is in the area of maintenance, R44 (piston driven) would need a complete overhaul at 2200 hours. I'm guessing the 206 would only need the turbine sets at about 3000 hrs.

Anyway you look at it...its an expensive way to hunt hogs. I wouldn't put up a 206 for that.

Are you suggesting that many helicopter pilots aren't certificated? Low and slow with strong or gusty winds while trying to track running hogs is not safe. Please don't fool yourself into believing that what you were doing was safe. There is a great deal of risk in that kind of flying, and (IMHO) the pilot should have briefed you about the inherent risks involved in that kind of operation. There are things (like pilot experience) that help mitigate the risk of low and slow operations, but that kind of flying kills people all the time.

Spot on!