Hughes 500D at sunset. Approach, landing, full shutdown. Aerial Solutions.

[@tasercs]

Ahhh! I wanted a video that showed rotor stop from power off in real-time without a rotor brake so I could calibrate the spool down time in my Cowansim 500E in MSFS. I timed it at 3 mins. It goes on unnaturally long in default but there is a setting in the cfg file for the friction.

[@mhey1705]

So beautiful. Slowly working my way there hopefully, got my commercial cert last week and would love to some day fly the MD.

[@FiveTwoSevenTHR]

Since you made this comment 2 years ago, how has your career as a helicopter pilot progressed? I'm considering going for my commerical helicopter license.

[@pip12111]

Sweet n fast lil chopper. Some much better looking than a Robinson

[@240RobertA]

I filmed this. I am also a Helicopter Pilot. The helicopter here is under ground idle, and can not get into ground resonance during the engine cool down, in this particular instance, also there was no wind gusts that could topple it. This is not a hot refuel as the helicopter is off at that point, and it is being performed by trained company personnel, and apparently that is this company's protocol. There are obvious dangers to hot refueling, some not usually thought of are: if the pilot remains inside, he or she, may not be aware of what fuel type is being put in, and would not know if the gas cap has been securely put back on. You are wrong in your comments, but right for your concern.

[@2010kb1]

Awesome to watch this company trimming trees around the power lines.They just finished here in the southern Shenandoah valley.

[@GamingDude2003]

What's that thing above the tail rotor section? It is rectangular in shape with bent pyramids

[@johnhempstead3074]

NICE MACHINES i remember flying in sulada south carolina years back, the game and fish just got a new one md 500 a bad boy with all the whisels, very nice.

[@UberDude]

Hey look, someone left this perfectly good helicopter just idling here all by itself.

[@jeffreyparks9923]

Looks like a “Expendable “ plane in the background, from the movies

[@dabneyoffermein595]

What's that long pipe connected to its under-belly at the end? that goes over to the cop car?

[@dabneyoffermein595]

Does this unit have A/C and auto-pilot and full glass cockpit with the latest Garmin equipment? (GTN Xi)

[@gordonmccoy4537]

The Army taught us how to friction down the collective and depart the running aircraft (OH-23) during ground recon at Fti Wolters back in '68..... No big deal.... out in the woods is one thing - in an airport environment it is another.... Don't get so excited, people..

[@simonvance8054]

Great footage there Rob!

[@dabneyoffermein595]

What's better, this unit or a Robinson R66 fully loaded ? Or a Bell 505 fully loaded?

[@robertvaughn7036]

It's a aerial saw. Used to trim trees!

[@jayeallen6668]

From the viewers' perspective: Approach, landing, crew gets out and wonders off, one wonders back when the fuel truck shows up, full shutdown...😀

[@keanulorenzo9050]

What's that thing they connect to under it?

[@240RobertA]

Hi. Long Line Cables and Controllers protected in a tube the end of which is a motor and multi bladed saws for tree trimming.

[@robertbowman3406]

I always thought that when the aircraft was to be fueled a static line ran from the aircraft to ground, fueling vehicle to ground and aircraft to fueling vehicle. I am not a pilot so this is what I have heard.

[@MrZlodeus]

What's that looooong pipe for (the one which the helicopter is parked over and which the ground crrew attaches to it at the end of the video)?

[@Michael-xo8lw]

it's a very long tree trimmer. several very large circular blades are at the end.

[@MrZlodeus]

Thanks!

[@RR-pw5nb]

Yeah I was a bit freaked out when he got out while running at idle.

[@damkayaker]

How many gallons of fuel capacity?

[@anibalrivera4626]

66 stdr an 24 reserve

[@damkayaker]

Thanks!

[@cheemsg.i.7130]

Are they still producing the MD500D?

[@240RobertA]

While still under Hughes, before the sale to McDonnell Douglas, the Model 369D ,(Hughes 500D) was made, up until it was replaced, and sales began of the 369E (500E), in about 1983. There may have been previous orders for the 500D that needed to be fulfilled, so there may have been an initial overlap. The majority of timed overhaul necessary components for the 500D are the same as in the basic 500E which is still in production.

[@dabneyoffermein595]

@@240RobertA have they moved on to the 500F in production now? so that it has the full Garmin GTN-Xi ? What would you rather fly, a BELL, A HUGHES, or a ROBINSON ?..... or name any other make regardless of cost that would be your #1 go-to helicopter if you had your choice for recreational flying?

[@geddon436]

Thanks for sharing Robert. I have never seen anyone walk away from a ground idling helicopter. What is that long pole attached underneath?

[@simonvance8054]

geddon436 I used to do lessons in R22s and it was pretty common for myself or to see other pilots walk away from helos in idle for various reasons, hot refuelling etc.

[@geddon436]

Thanks for educating me simon.

[@simonvance8054]

geddon436 No prob. Forgot to say pole is for attaching to a load to be carried underneath the helicopter. I've often seen slings used but the rigid pole might be for safety reasons (I assume) - depends on what they're carrying I suppose.

[@jamesbrock7231]

+geddon436 Ive seen some pilots freak out seeing other pilots leave an idliing helicopter and others who were ok with it but as simon said its for hot refueling and to avoid too many cycles on the turbine engine =start up shut down

[@BlueSky-qv7cd]

+geddon436 The pole is for an aerial saw used to trim trees, it keeps the saw orientation correct for cutting.

[@bernardanderson3758]

I want to come out and fly the 500

[@FortniteDad39]

My favorite helicopter!

[@johnhempstead3074]

NICE LAND BRO

[@robertbowman3406]

The pilot steps out and gives the turbine engine a cooling off period before shut down. There is no way the aircraft can take off by itself. Just my observations here.

[@rudyho3790]

'bout 2-2 1/2 minutes cool down...same as UH-1 hueys

[@benediktsaurer381]

Engine running, pilot gets out ???Unthinkable in europe!

[@ec-jf1fc]

Yup, thats not very bright at all.

[@gr8wheels1]

Benedikt Saurer w

[@240RobertA]

It is not underneath the rotors as it appears on film. It is not dangerous for trained personal.

[@BobABooey.]

No helicopter manufacturer in the world will train or endorse anyone to get out of a helicopter while its in flight idle. Whats worst, the 500 collective is spring loaded, frictions on or not, I wouldn't trust that it holds. This is just dumb.

[@sophiejaysstuff4026]

Stay in europe

[@MasonSoliday-ff2ih]

Rotor brake was never activated

[@dominiccrowe8018]

I get models of the Hughes 500 helicopter.

[@marcoapclr2]

On m'a toujours appris à ne jamais lâcher le manche tant que l'hélico est en route du coup je trouve que ce qu'ils font est extrêmement dangereux et inconscient ...

[@wedgept7864]

running helicopter no pilot? WTF

[@TransferAir]

🚁 = 👍!!!

[@CrayonboxAviationAdventures]

I have always loved these Hughes 500 helicopters. Thanks for sharing the video. Please come and check out my microlight flying channel. Thanks!

[@dokkerdam3844]

the military hot refuels, but I wouldn't. if that fueler worked for me i'd fire him. if the pilot worked for me i'd fire him. if his collective lock vibrates off then an idling helicopter can take off or at least destroy itself and all around it. smart emough to own and operate a helicopter but stupid, stupid, stupid.

[@sawpilot]

dokkerdam I can appreciate your concern but your comment about the collective friction and idling helicopter taking off, etc are just not true. I’m only taking issue with the truth of your statement not the perceived safety issue.

[@johnhempstead3074]

NICE CHOPPER

[@rudyho3790]

Hey aviators! Be pros and stay in cockpit until completed shutdown😎👌

[@Cacowninja]

A British spy be like...

[@johnhempstead3074]

I GOT IT

[@raphealfrancis8228]

H2O