Is There A Benefit In Putting Low Skids On A Helicopter?

[Bell Hell]

High gear pro's:

 

Tail rotor about 3' further from the weeds.

Belly further from rocks/sticks; more clearance to access hook.

Wider stance - possibly more stable on uneven terrain.

 

Low gear pro's:

 

Lighter and less drag than high gear, esp. when maint. flightstep is installed.

Easier access for DI and maitenance.

Narrow stance takes less floor space in the hangar.

[Bif]

Low gear weighs about 100 lbs. less than high, at least on our 206's.

 

Easier for PAX to get in and out.

 

But I still like high gear better. Makes 'em look more rugged

[cap]

1) Your tolerance for off-level, side slope landings is marketly different between a high skid and a low skid 206 in the mountains. You may operate both if you so wish, but do not be foolish enough to think that you can compete with a low skid 206 doing side-slope landings in the mountains if you are flying a 206 with high skid gear.

 

2) The length of one of your M/R blades is the height above ground of your ground cushion. So if you are on low skids you are able to stay down within that ground cushion deeper and therefore use less power than a high skid gear 206. Again, another reason for 206's on low skid gear in the mountains where power can sometimes be at a premium.

 

 

If you operate on low skid gear long enough you get use to it and have no problem with it whatsoever. Only if you have not done it much does it become an 'issue' or treads outside your 'comfort zone'. During the course of our careers most of us with fly a/c that sit at various heights above the ground and we all learn to deal with it. If 3 more inches of T/R clearance makes you happy then nobody can laugh at you and who care if they do anyway.......it's your ***, not theirs. If this pilot has to work in confines that close, then it better have something to do with sex because otherwise that's too close for me and my $500,000 - $3M a/c that is someone else's property.

[Billy Hill]

If this pilot has to work in confines that close, then it better have something to do with sex because otherwise that's too close for me and my $500,000 - $3M a/c that is someone else's property.

 

500,000 - $3M... Better be at least a 3some!!! :punk:... And the cool kind!

[ED2]

High gear pro's:

 

Tail rotor about 3' further from the weeds.

Belly further from rocks/sticks; more clearance to access hook.

Wider stance - possibly more stable on uneven terrain.

 

Low gear pro's:

 

Lighter and less drag than high gear, esp. when maint. flightstep is installed.

Easier access for DI and maitenance.

Narrow stance takes less floor space in the hangar.

 

The hanger space is too small to even consider. Have a look.

http://www.bellhelicopter.com/en/aircraft/...006_jan_web.pdf

Higher stance = less stability. C of G

The belly is higher; the tail rotor is less than two feet when sat down and even less when the skids first touch. After all the helicopter is still at the same angle in the hover (same loading of course) with either skid gear.

Cap's explaination nails it.

I do agree with the DI access though.

[ED2]

The hanger space is too small to even consider. Have a look.

http://www.bellhelicopter.com/en/aircraft/...006_jan_web.pdf

Higher stance = less stability. C of G

The belly is higher; the tail rotor is less than two feet when sat down and even less when the skids first touch. After all the helicopter is still at the same angle in the hover (same loading of course) with either skid gear.

Cap's explaination nails it.

I do agree with the DI access though.

 

Earlier post should have said "the tail rotor is less than two feet when sat down and even less when the skids first touch".

[twinstar_ca]

ummm... isn't that what the post says??

[ED2]

Earlier post should have said "the tail rotor is less than two feet when sat down and even less when the skids first touch".

Third times the charm!

Earlier post should have said "the tail rotor is less than two feet difference when sat down and even less when the skids first touch".

[Freefall]

I've always been told low skids on a jetranger were better for deeps snow since the belly rests on the snow before the bear paws push the nose too low.

[Nacreous]

Low gear on a 206 gives you a much better view down below (when long lining) than high gear with a flight step....