Quote:
Originally Posted by aigel
Can someone explain to me how a $500 drone is stabilized with gyros / accelerometers yet a high line helicopter such as this one doesn't have this function and is flown like it was the 60s?
|
There is a high degree of stabilization in modern helicopters, a very high degree in some.
For civilian designs, it often comes down to cost. I am sure the charter company that owned the S-76 felt they didn't need the additional cost of an instrument rated avionics package. Not cheap. In addition, maintaining IFR pilot quals is expensive in both flight time and lost revenue on the helo.
When I flew out of San Diego, we had to go look for instrument flight conditions 90% of the time.
Lastly, it is very expensive to retro fit and
certify some of the new autopilots and six axis gyros with built in GPS that are now on chips rather simply maintain the older systems.
Certification for carrying people is the key.
Whole bunch more but I won't bore you guys. KNS is a current commercial helicopter pilot and no doubt has better insight.