Hughes 500 | Startup & Mountain Flight

[@MicahMuzio]

Am I a fool for thinking a Hughes 500 isn’t family friendly?

[@thestonetable]

It’s family friendly if the family consists of two. However… yours ain’t! (😩).

[@codmott286]

@@thestonetable it’s got back seat and if he has kids they’ll be fine.

[@thestonetable]

@@codmott286 oh… thanks.

[@chrisleavens2576]

No I don’t think so. I have a wife and a15 yr old. I have a 66 which I really like but had 44 for the past 5 yrs and it’s a great family machine. I have an insta gram account called heli.pics if you want to see them. The cabin in the 44 or 66 is definitely family friendly. Fly safe

[@MicahMuzio]

@@chrisleavens2576 It's comments from actual owners like you that make the R44 seem like an excellent choice. Your thoughts echo what I've heard from others. Thanks for the input!!

[@MikeKobb]

I would never, ever get tired of the sound of that engine starting.

[@ThaiLitzki]

One of the best things about turbine engines, the start up sound is so addicting! Still love it after 2 years of helicopter piloting.

[@coolbreeze253]

As an Army pilot in the 60s and 70s I flew 5 different series of helicopters and numerous different models within those series. The OH-6A was by far the most fun.

[@deborahchesser7375]

That’s cool as hell. I always thought this particular bird looked pretty fast and agile, is it just an illusion or is it the ship I think it is.

[@kikupub71]

Outstanding job, sir. Welcome home!

[@TheGreggAdam]

@@deborahchesser7375I have a couple and I promise they are as nimble and fun as you imagine. They aren’t super fast but quick enough!

[@dominysynclair]

Did you fly in Vietnam?

[@chriscantwell3626]

Worked for Hughes Helicopters,Culver City,early 70s my office/hanger was on the flight line . Robert /Bob Ferry was one of the test pilots there . Had the opportunity to fly with him on test flight. I’m not a pilot , but the experience flying with Bob I’ll always cherish. My job at Hughes,I was part of the team that built the first three prototypes of the AAH 64 Apache. I followed certain parts thru manufacturing,there at the plant and the contractors around Los Angeles .

[@deborahchesser7375]

That has to be one of the best helicopters ever designed

[@jdonohue41]

the owner was so COOL, Thanks

[@jaminthevanuk296]

I'm amazed it's 1969 it still looks new just the coolest shape and sound. And smell

[@umami0247]

Little bird still serving America today. My favorite helicopter I was a crew chief on the OH -58 in the service but wish they would have stayed with this helicopter.

[@ZacYates]

Dude you didn’t get to fly in a 500 - you got to fly in an OH-6A! That’s even more awesome!!

[@davidfrania8990]

Hey look! Micah is absolutely giddy!!! Yes sir, it shows! Hahaha!!!! Lots of fun, Micah...Thanks!

[@waiakalulu7544]

I grew up in Hawai`i and nothing was better than Magnum P.I. and TC's Hughes 500-D. The absolute coolest!

[@brianmiller4466]

whaaaaaHOOOO! absolutely LOVE the sound of that turbine spooling up and then when it lights off and becomes self sustaining ...... HEAVENLY !!! cheers

[@johnwayne2103]

I've been in love with that Helicopter since Magnum PI.

[@mhamma6560]

For those even slightly interested in helos, the 500 is one of the most iconic birds out there.

[@hondo500e]

Great video! Jack and Elaine are awesome people.

[@MicahMuzio]

Anyone willing to let me flying their aircraft is pretty exceptional. 😁

[@UJMjordan]

as a 269C pilot and an aerospace engineering student, Hughes 500 is a dream for me as well ...

[@chippyjohn1]

Just build your own helicopter, not that hard.

[@culturedtalent1207]

The Hughes 500 or Cayuse orrr the Little Bird will always be my very favorite helicopter it’s always amazing to hear the buzzing noise it emits

[@robertschaefer3223]

I'm glad we got to go flying again!

[@MicahMuzio]

Me too! With a little luck we'll be doing a lot more flying in the very near future.

[@wingleberry1]

Great smiles from our photographer... as he hears the turbine start, etc., starts around 2:30, and smiles continues forever. FUN!

[@jeffchapman8992]

Just beautiful. Side note: In 1984, my sister had a chance to meet some of the team on Magnum PI while we were in Honolulu. What a great video to make and share with the world. Thank you. The Ferrari of the helicopters 🚁. Check.

[@Gmar69]

When I was in Vietnam, 3/4 Marines, 1972, these were called "LOACHES" were used to flush out enemy so the Cobras could come and do the shooting. Very hazardous job for the Loach pilots.

[@autorotate1803]

Hunter killer teams, there is a great book by Hugh L. Mills called Low Level Hell for those who are interested this helicopter and Vietnam war.

[@CA2APat]

5 clicks south of the burning loach

[@TheGreggAdam]

Some also were made into gun ships because you can’t outrun the little bird

[@Carrera6rennsport]

Ever since I was a kid the 500 was a my dream machine. back in the day I built the Nichimo 1/20 scale model of the 500C, must have been the late '70s. Then came Magnum PI and I never missed an episode! If I had 2 mil to blow, id be on a MD500E!

[@alistairedwards494]

The Pilot is a great person that can chat and fly. Truly experienced.

[@Kodiak8066]

You two looked like you were both having a great time and got to do a couple fun maneuvers. Jack is a very well-experienced & knowledgeable Pilot, I'm glad Elaine was able to finally got you all together. They are the greatest people ! You did a great job with the talking and asked some good questions. Fly Safe

[@boots_n_coots]

Thanks Micah for calling it a HUGHES helicopter instead of a Mac-dac or a Schweitzer or whatever. Damn I’m grumpy before morning coffee, haha...

[@MicahMuzio]

With all due respect to the folks at MD, it'll always be a Hughes to me.

[@larrysmith6797]

@@MicahMuzio It IS a Hughes simply because Hughes built it in 1969. McDonald Douglass didn't buy Hughes until 1984

[@farfromhome7823]

I live in Hawaii, the very first helicopter I ever flew in was the Magnum chopper.... I had a smile on my face for a couple weeks after that

[@autorotate1803]

Best helicopter video! MD500 is my dream helicopter too! I have flown (although in air planes) in and out of L35 few times it is always a blast! So nice people, I wish everyone was like the people in the aviation community, world would be a much better place! P.S. It is really sad to see the lake dried up though!

[@mdrudholm]

It was pretty obvious from that big grin that you were having a great time. Also, I like how the rotor is loafing along at about 30RPM :-)

[@eugeneroberson1153]

I wish my Department would've had a 500...while departing the pad, we would drool watching the Highway Department pilot landing their beautiful 500 as we putted along in our Bell 47

[@Mamo878]

Nothing quite matches a turbine startup. Love it.

[@josebey7808]

What a great Heli.....and love the sound too

[@Chucky90tt1]

I would love to fly the 500.. Micah you are living the dream!

[@chasing_dragons]

So cool. Thank you for this. One of my all time favorite helicopters after the movie Bluethunder with that camouflage one at the end.

[@Jmaninaz1]

I don't watch all of your helicopter videos, but I am sure glad I watched this one. Jack and Elaine seemed so cool, and the Hughes 500 is a great aircraft. I've only been up in a helicopter once but it was a great experience, and I have been to Big Bear exactly once, also, so this was fun to go along for the ride and see Big Bear from the air. Great job--thank you!

[@joshcosta423]

Loved hanging from them and sitting on the side of them building powerlines. Can't wait to fly in one again!

[@Shenanigans3D]

The Porsche of helicopters. I've always love them since I was a kid.

[@codmott286]

Trust me honey, a 500 will open up so many new opportunities for us. We’ll be able to go faster and further, the turbine is so much safer, no more waiting to warm up on the ramp before takeoff. We need this baby.

[@luisquintero2992]

Solo el sonido de arranque de la turbina (y el del paso de las 5 palas del rotor rigido) valen un ME GUSTA gigante!!! 🚁😎

[@schlepd911]

Awesome video. Jack is an awesome pilot, very intune with the helicopter

[@hwd7]

Thank you for vicariously taking me along for the ride.❤👍

[@landrecce]

That was really cool of him to pass the controls over! What a cool dude!

[@chrisnedbalek2866]

I want one. I have a fixed wing license, and I took a couple of hours of helicopter instruction in Dallas a couple of years ago, and it was by far the most fun I ever had in my life. I definitely want one of these things.

[@RichieRouge206]

What a great video - I’ve always had a soft spot for the 500, particularly the 500C and 500D. It was lovely to see the enjoyment of this machine and the great interaction between you two!

[@badbilly1083]

You have a big-to-huge smile on your face the entire flight! Fun times!

[@andycobra49aor]

Mr. Micah, M. First thing first, god Bless you, not too many people likes to explain hot to start that engine due to it is very critical and a lot of focus to start the engine. Thanks for showing up how to start that engine, making sure that we don't over keep that starting engine switch too long because we may damage the turbine, thanks. Respectfully; Andy

[@CmdrDuncan]

I live in Big Bear. Welcome! I watched your Hughes 500 flight on my 75 inch TV. Next best thing to being in the machine. Love to see you living your dreams. Godspeed, bro.

[@saysumesh]

I love that initial sound

[@Edvanderbie]

great video! love his style and attitude. thanks for asking some good questions. awesome stuff!

[@dixieboy5689]

Incredible in all regards. Cant get enough of the birds eye views at every turn. Amazing . Thanks from Maine.

[@Burnedtoastify]

Great video! I was reminded a bit of the chopper action in "Apocalypse Now".

[@andycobra49aor]

Mr. Micah; God Bless you, you are the best video I have ever seeing or watched. thanks for everything you do, I am praying that if if I ever hit the lotto, I want to continue my flying classes, thanks, you are flying one of my prefer helicopters, fast manurable and very fast. Respectfully; Andy War Veteran Disable Texas

[@josephpiskac2781]

As close as I will ever get to flying in a helicopter and I love the Hughes design also.

[@paulprigge1209]

Two weeks annual training up a Minnesota aggressors with a huey. It was awesome. Something I will never ever forget.

[@123windyron]

I had a ride in one of those in nam also I seen one trying to land on a side of a mound because it ony had one skid it tipped over and flew apart.whow what memories awsome vid thanks.

[@weofnjieofing]

Magnum P.I. did it forso many with this helicopter........a classic icon still built today super agile, super fast and that 5 bladed main rotor!

[@nickkocvara1849]

I remember watching local news when I was super young and the news helicopter they used at that time was a Hughes 500 and I always thought that was a cool helicopter

[@getsideways7257]

I love it how the parts next to each other are named "Hughes 500 compressor stall" and "Hughes 500 for sale" :)

[@atomant_7]

I'm definitely gonna go get one of this whirly bird first thing in the morning... Get it all set up & go for a spin !

[@tommyk1073]

I do ride alongs with our police heli unit..they fly the 530..f models. The turbine startup is music to my ears and when we’re pursuing a car, it’s quite the ride..”crank it and bank it” they say. Great video!!

[@FlyingGentile]

Md500 series is my favorite line of helicopters 🚁 love the look

[@irisaviation852]

If that’s the helicopter you want then you should buy it. I was lucky enough to do the same and I have not regretted it. They are amazing machines and it was everything I hoped for.

[@tats4ever]

Great video! So exciting to see you back in the air! My grandfather worked for Hughes helicopters 🚁 in Culver City CA from the 1940’s until the 1970’s when he retired. I was so excited to see one of my grandpas helicopters. Cant wait until you get another helicopter. I also enjoy the car reviews with Evie. Would enjoy a house tour of your new mountain chalet. Happy Easter 🐣 🐰 to you all.

[@MicahMuzio]

Very cool that your grandfather worked for Hughes. Fun fact, google took over the old Hughes helicopter plan in Playa Vista and turned it into a KZbin space. It was always neat visiting there, given the history.

[@tats4ever]

@@MicahMuzio that’s really cool! Nice to know they repurposed the space. I wonder what Howard Hughes would think of it. LOL

[@mpslevan]

WOW!!!!!! That startup is EPIC!!!!! If I was sitting there I'd be grinning just like you are Micah. BTW I named my son Micah.

[@jeffyoung8208]

Nice little tour around! 👍🏼

[@trevwgtn]

Thanks Micah (and Jack). The Hughes 500 has a special place in my flight memories - as a 14 year old, first flight in any light aircraft fixed or rotary, and first ever aerobatic flight. In 1983, Seismic Survey pilots would take local whose property they crossed on joyrides between lifting jobs and on refuel runs. Just loiter on our farm near their operation till the pilot signaled to get in. First ride sitting in the back loose on top of a pile of geophone cables, and we did a perfect loop - I have a photo somewhere of perfectly inverted horizon. Barrel roll on a later ride. It wasnt a surprise though, as I had watched the aerial loops for weeks from the ground before my ride. Very cool machine!

[@cayman9873]

Easy to follow. Tot seemed good .

[@sinepari9160]

Worked offshore for years, and when we got to take these to satellite rigs, the fun factor was dialed up to 11, lol. I've been nearly upside down in one.

[@jb-fpv7384]

I had some flying on those before invited by a friend pilot, was so cool

[@Acc0rd79]

Missed opportunity for the Magnum PI theme song while you were flying low over the dry lake bed:) I know the feeling about picking the right plane, I had to buy something that could actually haul my family without being too close to over weight, hence why I bought the Beechcraft Sierra. Good luck buying whatever works best for you but clearly you need a true 2 row helo. And thank you for no mask video crap!!! Love it, 2 men not afraid to get close and spend time together without being scared.

[@MicahMuzio]

While flying is fun, flying with my family is the most fun. So whatever bird checks the family-friendly box is gonna be the right choice for us.

[@backstagegnome]

I couldn’t believe it when Jack said it use to be the Lee County Sheriffs Dept Helicopter. I remember seeing it flying around town all the time it was white and green back then I also remember seeing it at air shows and getting to talk to the pilot. They use to have a Hughes 300 also. Thank you for the great video.

[@Tom-zs6bb]

And I remember flying it! If you even encountered a short, glasses wearing pilot, we may have met!

[@johnharrison1429]

DUDE -- BEST. VIDEO. YET!

[@TheSking20]

OH-6 and Lotus Seven...my two favorite toys.

[@clarencehopkins7832]

Excellent stuff bro

[@AV8R_1]

I got my instrument and commercial in Helicopters a while back, but wasn’t able to go on with the rest of my career training due to my family needs. Still so heartbroken over that. It was my dream to fly the 500 D or E model. I really loved the T-tail ones! Never happened for me though. I had a lot of fun in the 300CBi for a few years though!!!

[@Sabotronics]

I like this real life version of the Buzzard 🚁

[@seancreighton9492]

Love these videos, keep 'em coming!

[@denault3985]

Love that turbine sound, I'm sure Micah was thrilled!

[@kbarnes0]

Some people geek out on cars. Micah, HELICOPTERS...........Hope you get another one soon Micah.

[@MicahMuzio]

We're searching for the next Muzio family helicopter. Fingers crossed we find a good candidate soon!

[@bensmith7536]

From the moment I saw a Hughes 500 buzzing around, I often pictured myself zooming around checking out the countryside, coast etc in one...... walk out to it at dawn, fire it up, watch the sun come up through that huge canopy. Sadly, has not materialised, but I can live vicariously through people that do fly in one : )

[@phillipgriffin]

That was wonderful. Beautiful scenery, beautiful machine. Thanks for posting.

[@GM-qh2ki]

Congrats on getting to fly! A lifetime experience that you’ll never forget.

[@radders261]

Bloody fascinating! Wonderful to watch.

[@Rob21271]

Nice helicopter I been up in the same helicopter in October off 99 it was fun I enjoyed it

[@subculture-records]

Great video, very interesting.

[@cdb989]

Cool video love helicopters

[@Bravo2Zulu]

That was a rad video Micah!👍🏻👊🏻

[@Echelon_Sky_Denver]

What an honor, that gunship, and America's good friend. Legacy Saigon 1975 Black Squad Heritage civilian DOD

[@scottruhl4710]

Happy for u, Micah!

[@cadsux]

Whew! I half expected a face-off against Airwolf. Next on your list, NOTAR!

[@MicahMuzio]

NOTAR!! I've always loved the 520N. Who knows, maybe some kind owner will offer me a flight.

[@gwfowler]

NOTAR is a cool idea, however, it takes too much power. A normal 500E you might cruise at 40 lbs of torque, a 520N would take about 60 lbs. 50% more!

[@vanallen9453]

..hang on..here comes a blipshift... and up we go...

[@kelvincs]

This is so cool!

[@kevinm.n.5158]

I just flew my 500 through that area the other day! In FS2004 of course

[@takeflypics]

Incredibly awesome videos! Just found your channel yesterday, im not a pilot buy i am helicopter NUTS! LOL I love the Hughes 500, but never had the opportunity to ride in one. Maybe some day!

[@MicahMuzio]

Thanks for watching! It took me quite a few decades to finally fly in a 500...but it was worth it. I hope you get the opportunity!

[@lisacalderon3367]

Beautiful

[@Tom-rl2wr]

No sweeter sound than a jet fuel Rolles Royce Turbine spooling up , then when the fuel is added in the combustion is magic . Sweeeet ! Howard Hughes and Rolles Royce , a nice daily double . 💚🏌️💥🎯

[@miguelaquino6822]

I wish I had friends like that.

[@LicenseToTill]

I’m lucky to fly with one of Canada most experienced pilots, Captain Lyle Watts. He’s teaching me as I’m working on the Canadian Robbie 22 endorsement since I’m starting to fly in Oregon this summer instrument CFI and CFI. Guess what? His favourite helicopter is the Hughes 500!! And he’s flown everything, multi crew etc he’s been flying 40 years!

[@stealhty1]

Great footage,, I can feel your Eager

[@d2v219]

What a fun video.

[@wingding028]

owner seems to be a really nice fella

[@alriciab.p.7936]

Love those Heli, wish i could fly chopper.