It's two years to the day since my wife booked me two hours flight instruction on a Bell 47 for my sixtieth birthday. Although I've had my fixed wing licence for 38 years I'd never flown a helicopter. Did fine on straight and level flight, reasonable on standard rate turns and a nice controlled approach with a twenty degree crosswind. Then it was time to try the hover. Each time I lasted about 30 seconds until my instructor took back control. PIO. I just couldn't deal with the lag between control input and the rotor head response. When I apologised my instructor laughed and said you kept it within the airfield, well done. PS; The 47 I flew had a horizontal yellow band around the bubble cockpit. Before we took off my instructor explained its purpose; On engine failure you can make it to anywhere below the line, above it, forget it.
Congratulations, and thanks for "taking me" on a flight in this incredible helicopter. Beyond this, I found it incredibly detailed how you showcased the controls, the checklist, and how to operate them with the necessary art and time. There are experienced pilots from whom one can truly enjoy and learn, and you, Sr, are one of them. Thanks!
This is a blast from the past for me! I am 67 years old now, in the early 70’s in Norfolk, Va Colonial Helicopters had a 135 operation. Gene Hicks was the Owner. They allowed me to tag along with reposition flights. Giving me opportunity gain dual instruction. I flew 10 hours in the Bell 47 G, due to the $65.00 and hour expense compared to $6.50 and hour for a fixed winged airplane and being in high school you know where my money went!. Today I am retired with 20 thousand hours plus pilot in fixed wing air planes. Thanks for the video!😁🛫
I love this guy. Checklist in one hand, the other hand actually touching checklist items. Taking the time he needs to make the aircraft is in flight order. I’d fly with this guy any time. Also I flew 5 years in an H-120B; fixed wing is awesome, rotary wing is something else altogether.
I was in the Army NG 41st Aviation Battalion and took my first Helicopter lesson in one of these. Back in the 60's. Coming from fixed wing SEL, it took me an hour just to learn how to hover. What an experience. Thanks for the memories.
Over 4,000 flight hours in BELL rotorcraft and one of my favorites was the B47-G3B-2! Earliest model flown was a B47-D1 that had been in the movie, "MASH." Finished my BELL flying as an EMS Pilot in the B-412EP. Great memories of a great product. Thanks for sharing.
Were those Mash helicopters based out of the Van Nuys airport? After the Kobe Bryant crash, I was told that his S76 B went down at the same ridge line which is shown in the opening of both the movie and the TV show Mash.
This is a thrilling video for a lot of personal reasons going back 60+ years when I was 9 and "Whirlybirds" TV show was on the air. My best friend and I each saved $3 for a 20-minute ride around my hometown in a Bell 47. Nice job.
I was thinking the same thing. Should I find the money, I want to do a commercial helo add-on. I spent a lot of time watching "Chuck" and "PT" on TV. As a nine year old, I was convinced I could fly that machine after watching Kenneth Toby carefully raising that collective!
Thank you for your service! Feel free to post any pictures you have on here! Most people are unaware the 47 served in Vietnam. My first instructor on the 47 was also a pilot in Vietnam.
@@81patco I tried as well. Didn’t work for me either. I’m going to try to do something for all the vets on a future video. For now, if you don’t mind, send any pics you’d like to share to aerolieff@gmail.com. I’ll collect them and use them in a future video honoring our veterans. Thanks!
Back in 1977to 1979 my father owned a Bell 47J2A It was a blast flying that bird, we flew it to the Oshkosh fly-in and met Pappy Boyington (loved that guy) and fle all over Michigan. Flew over the Mackinaw Bridge into the UP of Michigan along Lake Michigan and into Wisconsin. Good times!
The first time I flew was in a helicopter just like this. I was about 6 years old and they were giving rides at the Michigan State Fair. It was 1959. Me and my Dad went up with me sitting on his lap. From that point I was hooked on flying! Got my fixed wing ticket in 1993. Great video!
That brought back many memories. I am very familiar with Mr Bells model 47. I have flown all of the models in standard configuration and experimental. I have about 7000 hours total time. I can say that the Bell 47 is perhaps one of the most forgiving rotorcraft aircraft and even though it was my job to fly them I typically did enjoy getting up in the air. I also owned an overhaul facility in California and later in Mexico. I quit flying more than 30 years ago. Sometimes I do miss it. Thanks for the memories
Retired CW4 pilot with over 15,000 hours. I taught at Ft Rucker as both a military IP, in the UH-IH, and also as a civilan in the 269a. I owned a bell 47G, built in 1954, with the Franklin 210 hp engine, serial 1110. The bell 47 was a very forgiving helicopter to fly!
@@bobmiley9587 thank you for your service! It is a forgiving helicopter. I love to hear others give accolades to this amazing piece of engineering: designed and built before CAD, without computers and way ahead of its time.
What a flight! I wish there would have been a bit more wind to get the rotor chopping out that iconic sound, but at least we got the purring sound of the engine and all that wonderful eye candy! Thanks!
A friend of mine had one of these about 30 years ago for a couple of years. Sold it and bought a Bell Ranger. Then he flew it a few days a week for Channel 4 in Dallas doing traffic over head shots and occasionally pr flights. That paid for the upkeep and eventually most of the purchase price. He said the Ranger was a dream to fly, but the 47 was more fun.
Took my first helo flight from Goat Island at Niagara Falls in the early '70s in a 47. It was an amazing experience. Fast forward to the mid '80s and I was taking lessons from the Pier 36 heliport on the Delaware river in Philadelphia. Flew Schweitzer 269's, MD 500d and JetRangers. Ultimately ran out of funding before completion but have many fond memories. Enjoyed your vids. Please keep them coming. DJ
Great memories. I remember flying in a couple of these doing oil exploration in the late 1970's and early 1980's. The ex-nam pilots were all excellent, thorough and highly skilled. Cool old machines...
I did my initial training on a B47 back in the 70's. In this video it would have been nice to show the gauges, MP and RPM, as you lift the collective and lower it since it is not governed. For some reason I had an issue with the manifold pressure and the RPM, matching while watching the MP. I spent more time watching those gauges and stressing about over torques. I got away from piston engines as soon as I could. I ended my career flying fadec controlled machines with auto pilots !! Helicopters have come a long way ! Great video.....thanks for the memories!
I completely understand, watching those gauges is something one can find himself doing- got to keep those things in the range. It’s only 3000-3200 rpm, so it’s a narrow band. I think we will try to make a video about that, I like your idea! I had one instructor cover the gauge and try to train me by sound. It seemed to work, but in all honesty- I don’t think I’d do that on MY Bell 47! Thanks for the good idea!
I got my Commercial License 40 years ago in a 47G5 A, I LOVE those little helos . Not having any kind of dashboard to hinder your view is awesome. Yes they are underpowered ,don’t have a high ceiling , fly fast ,but they are so much fun.
I started my helicopter career in a Bell Jet Ranger, I thought that was complicated. I didn’t have to worry about Carb heat, Mags, Manifold pressure etc. I doubt I could fly this 47, what a beautiful aircraft.
Great video. My instructor made me wear penny loafers so I could feel the pedals. Wood blade Bell 47 out of Largo. You are going to have a huge channel, thanks!
During the 80s I got my PP for $800. 150/152s were $20- $25 wet and a ifr 172 was the most expensive at $30. Got my commercial on S300s which were incredibly expensive at $125 a hour ad iirc $10 grand for commercial rating. Of course it was to pad your resume because nobody would hire you. The best thing about these old helis was when you finally got into a Jet Ranger or a Hughes 500, you realized just how difficult and temperamental they were.
The very first time I seen a real live Bell 47 was in 1966. I was working at a Saw Mill in Kearney Ontario Canada. They asked us to clear an area because a helicopter was going to land. We just barley got the space cleared and the Wirley Bird showed up. That's what we called them back then. Because of the TV show of that name I guess. One of the Muckity Mucks that owned the mill was on board. I remember the landing gear was big black rubber pontoons so it could land on water if it had to. It stayed there for the afternoon and then it was off and away. I will tell you that not much lumber piling happened that afternoon but there sure was a lot of gawking and a lot of stupid questions. Great memory. One worth never losing and one that even after all these years is still worth retelling.
Thanks for this. I think ... if you asked a big crowd of people to each draw a picture of a helicopter from memory .... most pictures would be of a Bell 47.
My father owned a small airport when I was a kid, and I got to ride in a type 47 that belonged to an agricultural application company many times. I earned my keep by pumping gas.
Nicely done on this video! IIRC, the limiting airspeed on the -47 is not due to blade flapping limits, but instead of the airspeed induced deflection and distortion of the large, unbraced, bubble canopy. The excellent visibility in this helicopter comes at the cost of cruise speed.
I'm a licensed fixed wing pilot. My equipment is rather interesting -- a 1977 Cessna 152 Aerobat with a Cessna PT-210 engine (325hp) larger prop. It's also got a modified Cessna 182 panel, with a full stack of avionics, and a Bendix colour radar. I befriended an OH058 pilot who took me up in his extra seat one afternoon and I got to log some OH-58 time. Rather interesting -- but just don't make me try to hover! Rather a thrill to do something that I"m not at all familiar with. I did OK going along straight and level (for the most part). Other military equipment I got some time on was a C-130-K. Now that, I managed to do OK in. Did a couple of crash and dashes and didn't do badly. I had about 3,200 hours of logged time when I enlisted in the miitary, but they couldn't take me on as a pilot since I wear glasses.
Thanks alot for taking us with you in my favorite helicopter! Great experience even on the screen. Music fit's just perfectly. 😃👍 Wish I had more than only one thump up to give! Best regards from Germany.
What a increadable nice looking machine, it must be at least 50 years old, verry nicely restored en verry well presented en respectfully operated by the pilot.
1979 I saved all my money mowing grass and shoveling snow as a 9yo. I was on a family vacation and one of the stops was Mt. Rushmore. I paid for my little sister and me to take a short flight in a Bell 47 to "check out the heads". I've taken many tourist flights since and later in life took my children. I had a "close call" in Cody, WY in a Bell 206 that at about 12' a.g.l. the copter came back down hard damaging the skids. The pilot managed to keep it upright. Never put an ounce of fear in me over flying in them again. I fly ultralights now for budgetary reasons.
I’ve seen pictures of the LA Fire Birds. This one did something like that once according to logbooks. Maybe I should do a video on its history! Thanks for that idea!
I took a ride several years ago in a Bell 47 at the county fair. 15 minute ride and I’m hearing the theme song from the TV series MASH play in my head. Iconic “Whirlybird Bird” that’s the Bell 47. The 47 and the Bell Uh-1 Huey (Vietnam era veteran here) are the two machines that immediately come to mind when the word helicopter is mentioned. Funny just how each has its distinctive sound. Thanks for this great video that stirred those pleasant memories of that helicopter ride all those years ago. 🚁❤️👍
It does have a unique sound - and depending on what angle you are to it: from front it’s the “chop-chop” sound of blades, side a little more engine - and behind (with no muffler) it’s BAAAAAAA!!!!!
@@aerolieff4288 Indeed and with the Bell 47 of course the whine of the transmission. Depending on your angle from that “fish bowl”. Really appreciate the video. By the way my very hazy memory recalls a TV series from the late 50’s called “Whirlybirds “ starring the Bell 47. I seem to recall a shuttle outfit with Bell 47’s on floats that flew out of LaGuardia A/P late 50’s early 60’s. Memories can be a funny thing sometimes. Thank you again and all the best. 🚁
Usto spray sugar Cain in Australia with a Bell 47G. Quite a good crop duster.Little bit short of power. Maintenance quite low and it was pretty straight forward to fly. It had its momentsa !!!!
Commercial pilot, the video gets good when fortunate son comes on. At one time I was looking at getting this rating, but wound up doing fixed wing. Helios still look cool. My neighbor flew one as dust off in Vietnamese. They gave him 60 hours of trading. Then sent him in.
Was lucky enough to have a couple of flights in a 47 D with a Franklin engine. It had wooden rotor blades, had to be careful not to park with one blade in the sun and one in the shade to avoid much vibration. G- ARIA kept at Biggin Hill. I remember one comment from London Director when tracking west into a fairly gentle headwind, he said "that must me the slowest flying machine on earth". We were doing 40 odd mph and got to chat for a while between Biggin and Blackbush.
Helicopters don't fly, they beat the air into submission........took a spin in one at Oshkosh this year. Every day there was a long wait, got there early, still had to wait for almost 2 hours. So cool!
60 years ago,at PAE got 1st ride in any aircraft . Brother and I got to go up for a demo flight Always wondered what my parents paid for that. Had pontoons on it. Is great TV show also.
Loved the video. Spent a lot of time with my father in a Bell 47 when I was a teenager. He flew that and a Jet Ranger. It was my favorite thing and I always wanted to get licensed in both fix wing and rotors. Unfortunately, my dad passed away unexpectedly this past fall. So I never got the chance to take another ride with him. I really loved flying in the 47. Like flying on a magic carpet he always said. You video brought back a lot of good memories for me. Thank you Oh an I just realized you have to be near me. We flew out of Lunken (or near there) No exactly sure where you all are but I saw the phone number on your website.
I’m up in Dayton area and very familiar with “sunken” Lunken! I’m sorry for your loss. I feel somewhat like a curator of this old helicopter. So much history and stories. Thanks for sharing!
@@aerolieff4288 Thanks I'd love to come see it some day if you had the time. Brings back so many memories for me. I also emailed you as I have some questions for you on flight training etc.
What a great video! Thank you for the tour of the 47. I’ve only flow fixed wing but spent many hours of MSFS flying the helicopters. I hope your video inspires people to try flying helicopters! A+ on the camera work too!!!
@@aerolieff4288 our SAR pilot told me that historically they sit on right because it was easier for most pilots to have pitch on left hand. You could easier leave it to handle radio for example.
A few years ago, an Enstrom helicopter in Colorado had a rotor blade separate from the rotor hub and killed the two people on board (instructor and student). I never heard of such a thing occurring with an old 47G.
There was an AD against Bell-47 blade grips that addressed a potentially fatal defect. I don’t believe it was as a result of a mishap, but instead the system of required Inspections and life limited parts worked in this case.
@@m118lr What does an Enstrom mishap have to do with the riskiness of flying a Robinson helicopter? They have completely different rotor head designs. Your statement is analogous to saying “I would never get NEAR an Airbus airplane because of the inability of Indonesian and Ethiopian crews to adequately deal with a trim runway (induced by a bad design) on the Boeing 737-8.
@@Booboobear-eo4es I concur. It would appear in this case that reading comprehension and critical thinking are not barriers to pilot certification. Or maybe M11LR “slipped through the cracks “ Scary As a follow up, could you please provide a link to the Enstrom Colorado mishap?
A Grimes Light. I think they were made in Urbana, Ohio. I saw one on eBay for sale for about 70 dollars. It’s actually white and has a red lens as well. It’s disable and can be moved around by hand as a spotlight.
@@aerolieff4288 Aeroleiff, thank you for your response and information, "Grimes" ? Is that the manufacturer name or the lights given name?. I really enjoyed your video, those old piston driven Bell 47, what an iconic helicopter, who makes the engines for those Bell 47's Iam guessing they are a four cylinder boxer engine like those found in the old air-cooled Porsche and Volkswagen?.
@@ericdee6802the Grimes light is both the name and manufacturer. As for the engine, this one is a six-cylinder lycoming (VO-435A1F). It’s horizontally opposed (like a boxer) but installed vertically. The “V” stands for vertical. “O” stands for “horizontally opposed” cylinders. Some of the models from earlier use Franklin engines. Great questions!
The best thing I ever done was flying lessons in a helicopter I started with model helicopters and couldn’t get enough my instructor said I had the perfect touch on the controls that be because of using the models that need a fine touch, he also said some women make good helicopter pilots as they are not aggressive on the controls, expensive but well worth the experience.
There is no way to start engine without rotor blades moving on Bell 47. The engine runs up through a transmission then to blades. When engine runs, the sprague clutch gears expand with centrifugal force and grip so engine can turn blades. The blades turn- even during start. When shutting down, the engine stops, clutch stops gripping, and blades continue to spin freely. This allows for auto-rotation. I’m sure I’m missing a few steps but that is basics.
@@aerolieff4288 Thank You. See, this is proof that you learn something new all the time. I just figured it would be easier on the engine if you started it disengaged. You explained it quite well.
Hi. One little question. For exampel in the real life. M.A.S.H. With an emergensy , you can't wait 10- 15 minits for warm up. So what do you do? Make a video on that. Please. Best wishes from Pilot Bo.
The Bell 47 served in both the Korean and Vietnamese Wars. It was a trainer and a scout in the Vietnam war. Medevac in Korea. Just a few roles this important helicopter played in our history!
It's two years to the day since my wife booked me two hours flight instruction on a Bell 47 for my sixtieth birthday. Although I've had my fixed wing licence for 38 years I'd never flown a helicopter. Did fine on straight and level flight, reasonable on standard rate turns and a nice controlled approach with a twenty degree crosswind. Then it was time to try the hover. Each time I lasted about 30 seconds until my instructor took back control. PIO. I just couldn't deal with the lag between control input and the rotor head response. When I apologised my instructor laughed and said you kept it within the airfield, well done.
PS; The 47 I flew had a horizontal yellow band around the bubble cockpit. Before we took off my instructor explained its purpose; On engine failure you can make it to anywhere below the line, above it, forget it.
Really enjoyed this. I’m a retired Huey and Hawk driver. Fly Army. Tks for sharing.
Thank you for your service!
From 1946 to 1974 these things Ruled the Skies!
Exactly! And all over the world!
Congratulations, and thanks for "taking me" on a flight in this incredible helicopter. Beyond this, I found it incredibly detailed how you showcased the controls, the checklist, and how to operate them with the necessary art and time. There are experienced pilots from whom one can truly enjoy and learn, and you, Sr, are one of them. Thanks!
This is a blast from the past for me! I am 67 years old now, in the early 70’s in Norfolk, Va Colonial Helicopters had a 135 operation.
Gene Hicks was the Owner. They allowed me to tag along with reposition flights. Giving me opportunity gain dual instruction.
I flew 10 hours in the Bell 47 G, due to the $65.00 and hour expense compared to $6.50 and hour for a fixed winged airplane and being in high school you know where my money went!. Today I am retired with 20 thousand hours plus pilot in fixed wing air planes.
Thanks for the video!😁🛫
Two of the coolest helicopters on the planet, the Bell 47 and the UH-1 Huey
I agree! I’d also add the OH-6 little bird.
...
Yes double trouble. Iconic dames of the sky
I love it. And listen to John Fogerty along this small flight. Priceless!
I trained on one of these in late 1979 great little trainer retired 2 years ago with 19,000 hours
I love this guy. Checklist in one hand, the other hand actually touching checklist items. Taking the time he needs to make the aircraft is in flight order. I’d fly with this guy any time. Also I flew 5 years in an H-120B; fixed wing is awesome, rotary wing is something else altogether.
Thank you, Sir! You’re welcome aboard anytime!
My 1st time flying ever was a ride in a Bell 47 with my Grandma in '72. I was 7 y.old and have never stopped loving that bird.
I was in the Army NG 41st Aviation Battalion and took my first Helicopter lesson in one of these. Back in the 60's. Coming from fixed wing SEL, it took me an hour just to learn how to hover. What an experience. Thanks for the memories.
She’s a sweet bird! Thank you for your service!
Over 4,000 flight hours in BELL rotorcraft and one of my favorites was the B47-G3B-2! Earliest model flown was a B47-D1 that had been in the movie, "MASH." Finished my BELL flying as an EMS Pilot in the B-412EP. Great memories of a great product. Thanks for sharing.
Were those Mash helicopters based out of the Van Nuys airport? After the Kobe Bryant crash, I was told that his S76 B went down at the same ridge line which is shown in the opening of both the movie and the TV show Mash.
This is a thrilling video for a lot of personal reasons going back 60+ years when I was 9 and "Whirlybirds" TV show was on the air. My best friend and I each saved $3 for a 20-minute ride around my hometown in a Bell 47. Nice job.
That’s a great story!
I was thinking the same thing. Should I find the money, I want to do a commercial helo add-on. I spent a lot of time watching "Chuck" and "PT" on TV. As a nine year old, I was convinced I could fly that machine after watching Kenneth Toby carefully raising that collective!
Awesome show that!
Yes remember Whirly Birds, was going to post who remembers it 😉👍
Yep Whirlybirds! My favorite show as a kid.
Great video, thanks for sharing. I'll share this with my father in law who flew this for the British Army before I was born!
I’d love to see any pictures he can share - and we would like to share them in a future video of vets! Thanks!
My first assignment in Vietnam was as a door gunner on the Bell 47. 1st Air Cav, 2nd Bn. Airborne, 1965-66.
Thank you for your service! Feel free to post any pictures you have on here! Most people are unaware the 47 served in Vietnam. My first instructor on the 47 was also a pilot in Vietnam.
@@aerolieff4288
I tried to post some Vietnam photos but I can't post them here?
@@81patco I tried as well. Didn’t work for me either. I’m going to try to do something for all the vets on a future video. For now, if you don’t mind, send any pics you’d like to share to aerolieff@gmail.com. I’ll collect them and use them in a future video honoring our veterans. Thanks!
Back in 1977to 1979 my father owned a Bell 47J2A It was a blast flying that bird, we flew it to the Oshkosh fly-in and met Pappy Boyington (loved that guy) and fle all over Michigan. Flew over the Mackinaw Bridge into the UP of Michigan along Lake Michigan and into Wisconsin. Good times!
The first time I flew was in a helicopter just like this. I was about 6 years old and they were giving rides at the Michigan State Fair. It was 1959. Me and my Dad went up with me sitting on his lap. From that point I was hooked on flying! Got my fixed wing ticket in 1993. Great video!
Thanks for the trip down memory lane! Loved my time in the Bell 47.
Retired Marine H-53 pilot. Love the video!
Thank you for your service!
My first heli flight in 1969, Bell 47... Bell 205's 206's, a 214B, the big one, and a twin otter on floats to boot... Nice 47. Great vid, thanks
Thanks for watching!
That brought back many memories. I am very familiar with Mr Bells model 47. I have flown all of the models in standard configuration and experimental. I have about 7000 hours total time. I can say that the Bell 47 is perhaps one of the most forgiving rotorcraft aircraft and even though it was my job to fly them I typically did enjoy getting up in the air. I also owned an overhaul facility in California and later in Mexico. I quit flying more than 30 years ago. Sometimes I do miss it. Thanks for the memories
I love to hear this from experienced 47 operators like yourself! Makes me want to make more videos!
Retired CW4 pilot with over 15,000 hours. I taught at Ft Rucker as both a military IP, in the UH-IH, and also as a civilan in the 269a. I owned a bell 47G, built in 1954, with the Franklin 210 hp engine, serial 1110. The bell 47 was a very forgiving helicopter to fly!
@@bobmiley9587 thank you for your service! It is a forgiving helicopter. I love to hear others give accolades to this amazing piece of engineering: designed and built before CAD, without computers and way ahead of its time.
@@bobmiley9587 Thank you for your service. Retired CFI of single and multi airplanes. Helicopters are harder to fly.
Good stuff.
Pilot with a great personality, he must have a lot of friends.
My dad was a helicopter mechanic for 13 years he was a Bell 47 specialist
What a flight! I wish there would have been a bit more wind to get the rotor chopping out that iconic sound, but at least we got the purring sound of the engine and all that wonderful eye candy! Thanks!
Yes, the sound of the blades is very satisfying!
A friend of mine had one of these about 30 years ago for a couple of years. Sold it and bought a Bell Ranger. Then he flew it a few days a week for Channel 4 in Dallas doing traffic over head shots and occasionally pr flights. That paid for the upkeep and eventually most of the purchase price. He said the Ranger was a dream to fly, but the 47 was more fun.
I would have never turned down the chance to go up for another flight!
Great video. Enjoyed it very much.
Took my first helo flight from Goat Island at Niagara Falls in the early '70s in a 47. It was an amazing experience. Fast forward to the mid '80s and I was taking lessons from the Pier 36 heliport on the Delaware river in Philadelphia. Flew Schweitzer 269's, MD 500d and JetRangers. Ultimately ran out of funding before completion but have many fond memories. Enjoyed your vids. Please keep them coming. DJ
Will do! Thanks for watching!
5:00 Loose water bottle can trap under the anti-torque pedals.
Great video. Happy flying.
Good catch, thanks!
That was the most fun helicopter I've ever been in. Small, light, easy handling, very forgiving.. Beautiful...
I couldn’t believe the first Autorotation I did. What a difference.
In my opinion one of the best little Choppers ever made. Thanks for posting.
Great memories. I remember flying in a couple of these doing oil exploration in the late 1970's and early 1980's. The ex-nam pilots were all excellent, thorough and highly skilled. Cool old machines...
I did my initial training on a B47 back in the 70's. In this video it would have been nice to show the gauges, MP and RPM, as you lift the collective and lower it since it is not governed. For some reason I had an issue with the manifold pressure and the RPM, matching while watching the MP. I spent more time watching those gauges and stressing about over torques. I got away from piston engines as soon as I could. I ended my career flying fadec controlled machines with auto pilots !! Helicopters have come a long way ! Great video.....thanks for the memories!
I completely understand, watching those gauges is something one can find himself doing- got to keep those things in the range. It’s only 3000-3200 rpm, so it’s a narrow band. I think we will try to make a video about that, I like your idea! I had one instructor cover the gauge and try to train me by sound. It seemed to work, but in all honesty- I don’t think I’d do that on MY Bell 47! Thanks for the good idea!
Rode in my father’s Hiller 12e with the Lycoming many of times. Very similar aircraft
I love Hillers!
I got my Commercial License 40 years ago in a 47G5 A, I LOVE those little helos . Not having any kind of dashboard to hinder your view is awesome. Yes they are underpowered ,don’t have a high ceiling , fly fast ,but they are so much fun.
Outstanding! It would be nice to (see and hear!) a flight with the sound of that lovely 6-cylinder engine!
O the engine made a great sound. Leave any Top dead music chart for DEAd!!!!!!!!!!!!!
My first flight ever was in a Bell 47G in 1976. Still my favorite after all these years but there are many contenders for first place.
I started my helicopter career in a Bell Jet Ranger, I thought that was complicated. I didn’t have to worry about Carb heat, Mags, Manifold pressure etc. I doubt I could fly this 47, what a beautiful aircraft.
It is beautiful, the only helicopter officially designated a “work of art!” I’m partial to Jet Ranger as well!
Great video. My instructor made me wear penny loafers so I could feel the pedals. Wood blade Bell 47 out of Largo. You are going to have a huge channel, thanks!
Penny loafers! That’s a good story! Thanks for watching!
During the 80s I got my PP for $800. 150/152s were $20- $25 wet and a ifr 172 was the most expensive at $30. Got my commercial on S300s which were incredibly expensive at $125 a hour ad iirc $10 grand for commercial rating. Of course it was to pad your resume because nobody would hire you. The best thing about these old helis was when you finally got into a Jet Ranger or a Hughes 500, you realized just how difficult and temperamental they were.
The very first time I seen a real live Bell 47 was in 1966. I was working at a Saw Mill in Kearney Ontario Canada. They asked us to clear an area because a helicopter was going to land. We just barley got the space cleared and the Wirley Bird showed up. That's what we called them back then. Because of the TV show of that name I guess. One of the Muckity Mucks that owned the mill was on board. I remember the landing gear was big black rubber pontoons so it could land on water if it had to. It stayed there for the afternoon and then it was off and away. I will tell you that not much lumber piling happened that afternoon but there sure was a lot of gawking and a lot of stupid questions. Great memory. One worth never losing and one that even after all these years is still worth retelling.
Those floats are HUGE on the Bell 47. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for this. I think ... if you asked a big crowd of people to each draw a picture of a helicopter from memory .... most pictures would be of a Bell 47.
I agree! Especially the tail! And the bubble.
Love the bell 47 beautiful to look at ! And the same chopper used in my favorite tv show M*A*S*H !
My father owned a small airport when I was a kid, and I got to ride in a type 47 that belonged to an agricultural application company many times. I earned my keep by pumping gas.
Gym hi v. . B
Really enjoyed your video.
whoever that woman is filming, she is awesome...what a trooper!
I’ll tell her! Yes, she’s amazing!
Nicely done on this video!
IIRC, the limiting airspeed on the -47 is not due to blade flapping limits, but instead of the airspeed induced deflection and distortion of the large, unbraced, bubble canopy.
The excellent visibility in this helicopter comes at the cost of cruise speed.
Do they make canopy that allows better cruise?
The M74 Wasp has a smaller bubble, to allow for more payload. Here are some pictures from English Air Website, a ag operator out of California.
I'm a licensed fixed wing pilot. My equipment is rather interesting -- a 1977 Cessna 152 Aerobat with a Cessna PT-210 engine (325hp) larger prop. It's also got a modified Cessna 182 panel, with a full stack of avionics, and a Bendix colour radar.
I befriended an OH058 pilot who took me up in his extra seat one afternoon and I got to log some OH-58 time. Rather interesting -- but just don't make me try to hover!
Rather a thrill to do something that I"m not at all familiar with. I did OK going along straight and level (for the most part).
Other military equipment I got some time on was a C-130-K. Now that, I managed to do OK in. Did a couple of crash and dashes and didn't do badly.
I had about 3,200 hours of logged time when I enlisted in the miitary, but they couldn't take me on as a pilot since I wear glasses.
I have a few hours in a Bell 47, including my first auto rotation. Really great fun to fly.
Thanks alot for taking us with you in my favorite helicopter!
Great experience even on the screen.
Music fit's just perfectly. 😃👍
Wish I had more than only one thump up to give!
Best regards from Germany.
Thank you! More to come soon.
What a increadable nice looking machine, it must be at least 50 years old, verry nicely restored en verry well presented en respectfully operated by the pilot.
Thank you! I feel more like a curator than a pilot sometimes. It’s an honor to fly her! She’s a 1966, so she’s 56 years old!
Agree , two really cool choppers, I flew both in Vietnam, and again as an instructor when I returned
Thank you for your service!
Feel free to add any pictures in a reply! I’d love to see them.
Welcome. Sorry doubtful I could find any pics after all this time.
Wonderful and excellent video. Enjoyed it. Thanks
Thank you!
I wanna go on a helicopter ride too. That is too cool. 3 dimensional existence.
1979 I saved all my money mowing grass and shoveling snow as a 9yo. I was on a family vacation and one of the stops was Mt. Rushmore. I paid for my little sister and me to take a short flight in a Bell 47 to "check out the heads". I've taken many tourist flights since and later in life took my children. I had a "close call" in Cody, WY in a Bell 206 that at about 12' a.g.l. the copter came back down hard damaging the skids. The pilot managed to keep it upright. Never put an ounce of fear in me over flying in them again. I fly ultralights now for budgetary reasons.
There is still an operator that flys a 47 at Rushmore. Pretty cool!
Very nice. LA Fire Department keeps one in a hanger, on Mulholland Dr next door to Fire Station 109. Great video. Super rare helicopter.
I’ve seen pictures of the LA Fire Birds. This one did something like that once according to logbooks. Maybe I should do a video on its history! Thanks for that idea!
I took a ride several years ago in a Bell 47 at the county fair. 15 minute ride and I’m hearing the theme song from the TV series MASH play in my head. Iconic “Whirlybird Bird” that’s the Bell 47. The 47 and the Bell Uh-1 Huey (Vietnam era veteran here) are the two machines that immediately come to mind when the word helicopter is mentioned. Funny just how each has its distinctive sound. Thanks for this great video that stirred those pleasant memories of that helicopter ride all those years ago. 🚁❤️👍
It does have a unique sound - and depending on what angle you are to it: from front it’s the “chop-chop” sound of blades, side a little more engine - and behind (with no muffler) it’s BAAAAAAA!!!!!
Also sound of metal blades differ from wooden ones.
@@aerolieff4288 Indeed and with the Bell 47 of course the whine of the transmission. Depending on your angle from that “fish bowl”. Really appreciate the video. By the way my very hazy memory recalls a TV series from the late 50’s called “Whirlybirds “ starring the Bell 47. I seem to recall a shuttle outfit with Bell 47’s on floats that flew out of LaGuardia A/P late 50’s early 60’s. Memories can be a funny thing sometimes. Thank you again and all the best. 🚁
Thanks for sharing this cool video. I would lille to see more about have the controls and swash plate works. 😊
I love this idea! Thanks!
beautiful aircraft n now u can fit turbine engine on the scott bell helicopter 47 G
I flew the H-13 in Korea from 1958 to 1959 and wiah I had one now. Simple and easy to fly.
I’d love to hear more about your experiences in the H-13. Where are you located?
The Bell 47- the finest helicopter ever made!
It’s wonderful!
Usto spray sugar Cain in Australia with a Bell 47G. Quite a good crop duster.Little bit short of power. Maintenance quite low and it was pretty straight forward to fly. It had its momentsa !!!!
This old bird was a spray rig once in past. The toque of main rotor blade is so great to help turn!
Your helicopter reminds me of the television show M.A.S.H.
Commercial pilot, the video gets good when fortunate son comes on. At one time I was looking at getting this rating, but wound up doing fixed wing. Helios still look cool. My neighbor flew one as dust off in Vietnamese. They gave him 60 hours of trading. Then sent him in.
Was lucky enough to have a couple of flights in a 47 D with a Franklin engine. It had wooden rotor blades, had to be careful not to park with one blade in the sun and one in the shade to avoid much vibration.
G- ARIA kept at Biggin Hill.
I remember one comment from London Director when tracking west into a fairly gentle headwind, he said "that must me the slowest flying machine on earth".
We were doing 40 odd mph and got to chat for a while between Biggin and Blackbush.
I love the Franklin engine and the wooden blades on that bird!
I remember that Chuck and PT never let it cool down when they landed. But Television, yea.
Thank you for your service sir
Helicopters don't fly, they beat the air into submission........took a spin in one at Oshkosh this year. Every day there was a long wait, got there early, still had to wait for almost 2 hours. So cool!
I was hoping to fly there and give rides- but they said they had enough Bell 47s! Maybe next year.
60 years ago,at PAE got 1st ride in any aircraft . Brother and I got to go up for a demo flight Always wondered what my parents paid for that. Had pontoons on it. Is great TV show also.
The music brings back memories
this chopper is from the old TV show MASH.
I was thinking the music should have been the M.A.S.H. theme song! Great video otherwise! 🤗🤗
Well done!
BEAUTIFUL machine.
Thanks!
Loved the video. Spent a lot of time with my father in a Bell 47 when I was a teenager. He flew that and a Jet Ranger. It was my favorite thing and I always wanted to get licensed in both fix wing and rotors. Unfortunately, my dad passed away unexpectedly this past fall. So I never got the chance to take another ride with him. I really loved flying in the 47. Like flying on a magic carpet he always said. You video brought back a lot of good memories for me. Thank you Oh an I just realized you have to be near me. We flew out of Lunken (or near there) No exactly sure where you all are but I saw the phone number on your website.
I’m up in Dayton area and very familiar with “sunken” Lunken! I’m sorry for your loss. I feel somewhat like a curator of this old helicopter. So much history and stories. Thanks for sharing!
@@aerolieff4288 Thanks I'd love to come see it some day if you had the time. Brings back so many memories for me. I also emailed you as I have some questions for you on flight training etc.
What a great video! Thank you for the tour of the 47. I’ve only flow fixed wing but spent many hours of MSFS flying the helicopters. I hope your video inspires people to try flying helicopters! A+ on the camera work too!!!
I’ll tell Barbara she did good work on camera, thanks!
Just like 1959 At the air show. Blue Angels Flew over the fence free
Nice job. It’s the very early model
1966.
Thank you for the great video.
You’re welcome! We are making more!
"Magnetic compass" ... and that sums up the nav instruments!
Oh yeah ... and the phone.
Yep! The phone is used quite a bit when doing cross country flights!
My first solo. Such a fun little bird.
The 47 is THE most helicoptery helicopter to ever copt a heli.
There is one at the Malaga airport museum. Always reminds me of the album cover Arrivals by ABBA.
I know that cover!
Great video ! I learned A LOT !!! Fine old whirly bird you got there !
Love this bubble canopy! I thought that chopper pilots always sit on the right side of the cockpit.
Some have pilot on right, some on left.
@@aerolieff4288 our SAR pilot told me that historically they sit on right because it was easier for most pilots to have pitch on left hand. You could easier leave it to handle radio for example.
@@serioustrouble63 yes, sitting on left makes using radios a three step process. Sort of juggling to keep one hand on cyclic.
Sweet! Beautiful seats. Learned to fly them at 19. Used to deliver Santa Claus in them.
This one really is a good Santa platform! Hopefully we will do that this year.
I've always wanted to fly a helicopter. Best I ever got was jumping from them with the 82nd Airborne Division.
Me too! Served in 82d and jumped from a UH-1, as well as C-17, C-141 and C-130. Served in 505 PIR. Thank you for your service! H-Minus!
@@aerolieff4288 Thank you for your service as well. I jumped all those except C-17. Tailgated CH-47. I was parachute rigger Quatermaster corp. AATW.
Always wanted to do this .
A few years ago, an Enstrom helicopter in Colorado had a rotor blade separate from the rotor hub and killed the two people on board (instructor and student). I never heard of such a thing occurring with an old 47G.
..EXACTLY just one of the reasons I have ZERO interest in ever flying or even being NEAR a Robinson helo..
There was an AD against Bell-47 blade grips that addressed a potentially fatal defect.
I don’t believe it was as a result of a mishap, but instead the system of required Inspections and life limited parts worked in this case.
@@m118lr
What does an Enstrom mishap have to do with the riskiness of flying a Robinson helicopter? They have completely different rotor head designs.
Your statement is analogous to saying “I would never get NEAR an Airbus airplane because of the inability of Indonesian and Ethiopian crews to adequately deal with a trim runway (induced by a bad design) on the Boeing 737-8.
@@Stepclimb - I had mentioned Enstrom in my post and he came back with a comment about Robinson. I guess people read without comprehending.
@@Booboobear-eo4es
I concur.
It would appear in this case that reading comprehension and critical thinking are not barriers to pilot certification.
Or maybe M11LR “slipped through the cracks “
Scary
As a follow up, could you please provide a link to the Enstrom Colorado mishap?
if you make it to Oshkosh give me a heads up!
Will do!
One of my dream helicopter
such a cool helicopter!
I'd love to fly a Hughes OH-6 , apparantly they're like a Porsche to fly
Id like to find one of those cockpit map lights. Cool video, thanks for sharing!!!
A Grimes Light. I think they were made in Urbana, Ohio. I saw one on eBay for sale for about 70 dollars. It’s actually white and has a red lens as well. It’s disable and can be moved around by hand as a spotlight.
@@aerolieff4288 Aeroleiff, thank you for your response and information, "Grimes" ? Is that the manufacturer name or the lights given name?.
I really enjoyed your video, those old piston driven Bell 47, what an iconic helicopter, who makes the engines for those Bell 47's Iam guessing they are a four cylinder boxer engine like those found in the old air-cooled Porsche and Volkswagen?.
@@ericdee6802the Grimes light is both the name and manufacturer. As for the engine, this one is a six-cylinder lycoming (VO-435A1F). It’s horizontally opposed (like a boxer) but installed vertically. The “V” stands for vertical. “O” stands for “horizontally opposed” cylinders. Some of the models from earlier use Franklin engines. Great questions!
The best thing I ever done was flying lessons in a helicopter I started with model helicopters and couldn’t get enough my instructor said I had the perfect touch on the controls that be because of using the models that need a fine touch, he also said some women make good helicopter pilots as they are not aggressive on the controls, expensive but well worth the experience.
It really gets in your blood. I will never forget when I first hovered.
Is it personal preference whether you start the engine with the rotor engaged? I heard it can be started either way.
There is no way to start engine without rotor blades moving on Bell 47. The engine runs up through a transmission then to blades. When engine runs, the sprague clutch gears expand with centrifugal force and grip so engine can turn blades. The blades turn- even during start. When shutting down, the engine stops, clutch stops gripping, and blades continue to spin freely. This allows for auto-rotation. I’m sure I’m missing a few steps but that is basics.
@@aerolieff4288 Thank You. See, this is proof that you learn something new all the time. I just figured it would be easier on the engine if you started it disengaged. You explained it quite well.
Love to come out and getting some dual in the your Beautiful Bell 47
Hi. One little question. For exampel in the real life. M.A.S.H. With an emergensy , you can't wait 10- 15 minits for warm up. So what do you do? Make a video on that. Please. Best wishes from Pilot Bo.
Good question. I guess you’d just launch! If uncle Sam is paying for maintenance I guess it’s ok! 😊
I flew OH- 13 E&G models in ARMY flight school. and would love to get a flight in your 47.
If you’re ever around Ohio let me know!
@@aerolieff4288 where are you in Ohio?
What a beauty ❗️
loved it, great video.
Thank you!
That thing is beautiful, especially considering its age. That music is from the wrong war, isn't it? What was popular during the Korean Conflict?
The Bell 47 served in both the Korean and Vietnamese Wars. It was a trainer and a scout in the Vietnam war. Medevac in Korea. Just a few roles this important helicopter played in our history!