Mosquito 285 Fun

[@P_double_H]

Man I could live there all of my life...

[@Helicopterpilot16]

I'm 25, owning one of these is my new dream. A goal I have set.

[@MauiFlyGuy]

Keep the dream alive! When I was your age I wanted to fly helicopters but a friend who's father was the FBO at our local airport talked me out of it. I regret my decision. I too set a goal of getting a Mosquito and once the goal was set it took 3 years to get the process started and 5 till it was in my garage. Don't stop dreaming!

[@Helicopterpilot16]

I've been infatuated with Heli's since I was 8. I dreamed of making it a career but these days that's a hard thing to do the civilian way. I'm done telling myself that I can't fly one and these little things are fascinating! I'm planning to go to the 2018 Fly-in.

[@MauiFlyGuy]

See if the Coast Guard needs heli pilots!

[@P_double_H]

The one thing that has me out of this is the laws in a little more urban areas like down here in south Florida suburbs. They wont allow me to have this in my property, let alone take off and land from it.

[@MauiFlyGuy]

Reading the FAA Regulations help you understand some of the rules and then there are the HOAs rules, those are the ones with big restrictions. That is why I live in the country!

[@Cuzzz1117]

Pablo Hernández What they don’t know won’t hurt them

[@MauiFlyGuy]

The only problem with that way of thinking is if enough people do that there will be another regulation that will hinder our ability to fly.

[@OculusQuestFun]

I can fly one to our local Class Delta airport, but only because I got the city's permission (they own the airport).

[@SOLDOZER]

Theres a video of a guy who lands his in the street of a suburban neighborhood in front of his house. Its funny because you KNOW that he's not supposed to. Best case it would be against HOA rules. I dont know if theres local or FAA laws against it.

[@1ring2rule3pigs]

Hey there! Great vid! How's it holding up years later? Maintenance costs? Reliability? Is the gas mileage good?

[@MauiFlyGuy]

Maintenance cost are minimal and it gets the 6 gal. per hour. Being at 5,278 feet the only issue I have had is dealing with the fuel map and the ECU. The Mosquito Factory is working on a new ECU that will self adjust the fuel map in real time. Testing has already begun on the unit.

[@brdagr]

@@MauiFlyGuy I am trying to decide between the XE 285 and the XET. On one hand the 285 has longer endurance, 3.3 hrs with aux tank, vs the XET's 1.9 hrs. But I've heard flying the mosquito is hard work and after about an hour or so is tiring, so I don't know if that should factor into it. Secondly I'm thinking about things like handling characteristic differences between them. Does one handle better than the other or are they about equal? Then there is the question of flight comfort, as at least one 285 owner said the engine vibrations bothered him so much he sold it and bought the turbine version. Lastly is practicing the skills that translate to handling certified helicopters. Which one is going to give the most realistic "feel" for how a bigger chopper will handle, and which one will let you practice your flight skills in the way that best translates to the bigger birds. The XET apparently cant do full power down autorotations, but I don't know if thats a concern or not for practicing them, but it also makes me wonder what else it can't let the pilot simulate in order to hone his flight skills.

[@MauiFlyGuy]

@@brdagr They pretty much fly the same but the XET is smoother. They fly like a 300CB. You need to consider the amount of hours you have. It is not recommended to do autos to the ground. These heels are not meant to be used for long trips. They are for fun flying. If $$$ is no object get the XET (the engine alone is between 20-25K).Contact Composite FX and talk to the guys at the factory.

[@kitt28]

you probably dont have this heli no more, but i wanted to find out if i could fly from louisiana to Trenton, fl which 529 miles, at 80mph that be 6.6 hours, so i might have to stop 4 times. does any gas stations have Heli pads? mmmmm

[@MauiFlyGuy]

I would not advise it although I thought about setting up a team to do a coast to coast flight across America. The Mosquito is not recommended to fly in wet weather (rain and snow). Flying that distance opens a lot of potential problems ( rain squalls, possible need for a hanger, being able to take wheels with you, etc.). I guess it could be done, but I would not want to do it. By the way, I still have and fly "Myrtle".

[@kitt28]

@@MauiFlyGuy well sorry i didnt mean to ask a stupid question, i just know that the headquarters is in Trenton, Fl, and i like to fly there to have my heli checkout! having it trailer there sounds dumb. Im so glad you have Myrtle still.

[@MauiFlyGuy]

@@kitt28 I trailered Myrtle to trenton twice from Colorado.The second time I needed to do some maintenance that would have taken me longer than it took at the factory.. There is also Storey Aviation in Tennessee if that is closer. Dave Store is a Mosquito Dealer and a sharp guy. In my opinion if you want to get your Mosquito "checked out" it would be better to load it in a trailer than to fly a helicopter that you are not sure about that distance. Stay Safe!

[@wt9u]

How is engine RPM maintained? Does this have a decent correlator number or governor?

[@MauiFlyGuy]

RPM is maintained by the throttle on the collective lever. A correlator assists as the collective is raised.

[@SOLDOZER]

I'd love to live in the middle of nowhere like that. That's cool. Where's this?

[@MauiFlyGuy]

Colorado.

[@PracticalTacticalSheepDog]

Did you have formal training to fly? Iv been drooling over a ultralight mosquito for over a year now, seems like the easiest way to start flying but price of admission is high.

[@MauiFlyGuy]

Look at all the other alternatives if you think the price is high. A Mosquito is the least expensive way to get into flying a heli, but "NEVER" attempt to fly ANY helicopter without proper training! I have been flying planes, helicopters, and hang gliders since 1977. If you want to die, fly a helicopter without training!!!

[@PracticalTacticalSheepDog]

@@MauiFlyGuy lol yeah i was planning on taking some classes, my question was more of what kind of training did you take? Yeah the mosquitoes are definitely the cheapest way to do it but none the less expensive

[@MauiFlyGuy]

@@PracticalTacticalSheepDog I had gotten time in a Gazelle, Alouette II, and Hughs 500 C before I started formal training. In my formal training I started with a Bell 47 G, then Schweitzer 300 CBi, and Hughs 269. I caught on fast and have over 100 hour total rotorwing time. Still a lot to learn. The only in-expensive flying is hang gliding and para gliding!

[@zaneyoder2427]

How does the mosquito handle compared to the Switzer 300 or the Hughes 269

[@MauiFlyGuy]

@@zaneyoder2427 I truly apologize for my late response. A mosquito handles like a Schweizer 300/269. Those are the helis I trained in before I started flying my 285. Again I am sorry for the late response.

[@OculusQuestFun]

Is that a GoPro mount on the right?

[@MauiFlyGuy]

Yes.

[@mikebaugus2881]

Would prefer at least 4 seating people oppose to a single person......single person to me seems to be a waist..I want to have guests enjoy the thrill of flying around

[@MauiFlyGuy]

I would prefer having enough money to afford the kind of heli you are speaking of. It definitely would cost more that $30-40/hr.to operate.