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Post by screamineagle on Jun 11, 2007 1:47:21 GMT 12
Helio H-800, gas guzzler, Lycoming IO-720 (400 HP), cruise 118 KTS, fuel burn 25 GPH
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Post by screamineagle on Jun 11, 2007 2:08:41 GMT 12
We had attempted to put Helio in production in 1987, we were very close to purchasing the assets , tooling, type certificates, when the stock market crashed in October of that year, we had 150 confirmed orders for new airplanes. I had written several news releases which garnered a lot of attention, much interest in the airplane, then the investors pulled out. Helio Aircraft was then purchased in 1994 and the blokes who have it now are doing nothing but telling everyone so often production plans underway, the problem is, there is a shortage of parts, so one would think if you build enough parts you have an airplane right? Well c'mon guys build parts, at this point I do not ever see another Helio built....... shame that an airplane of this caliber sits in hybernation
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Post by Peter Lewis on Jun 11, 2007 8:50:54 GMT 12
Also the book "Air America" said the CIA had unserialled Helios built for clandestine operations,was this true or just a good yarn?. Like this, you mean?
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Post by screamineagle on Jun 11, 2007 9:31:50 GMT 12
In that photo all slats are closed except the right inboard, which tells me he is tad higher than 55, maybe 60 MPH, just enough lift on that wing to cause the slat to suck out, because of power setting, Trevors Helio has the direct-drive Lycoming O-540 (250 HP) with 2-blade prop, and it looks like the flap setting is at 30 degrees so he is carrying power and keeping her a bit fast in the approach
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Post by screamineagle on Jun 11, 2007 9:45:44 GMT 12
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Post by fletcherfu24 on Jun 11, 2007 17:14:24 GMT 12
Cheers for answering the slat question,thats one of lifes little mysteries cleared up. Was the Helio ever used as an ag aircraft?.
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Post by screamineagle on Jun 11, 2007 23:38:32 GMT 12
No, although Helio Aircraft Ltd. had proposed one called the "Rattl'r" it never got any further than the prototype stage, in 1984
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Post by screamineagle on Jun 12, 2007 0:39:03 GMT 12
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Post by screamineagle on Jun 12, 2007 0:43:36 GMT 12
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