"Patrick Scofield" wrote in message
...
I plan to train in and possibly purchase either a Schweizer 300 or an
Enstrom. I would operate out of Mesa, Arizona. I have no rotorcraft
rating as yet but I have 1200 hours and a commercial/Instrument rating
and I operate piston and Jet warbirds. My challenge is that I am 6'5"
and 300#. This nixes the Robinson family for me.

I am leaning towards chasing down an Enstrom, it seems that all the
Schweizers in the area are in-and-out of maintenance for various
training accidents.

I would like any cautions or inputs regrding the two helicopters or any
alternatives. I had a positive and useful chat with the marketing guy
at Enstrom and he mntioned that they are working on im0roving their
gearbox, and that the Enstrom ground rock will be reduced shortly by
some new fangled elastomeric dampers.

Thanks in advance for your input.

I learned in a 300 and found it a bit too sensitive at first but a lot
smoother (less vibration) than when I flew in a Enstrom. OTOH, I found the
Enstrom to be more solidly built.

I get the same sense of vibration from an MD500 (fast turning five blade)
versus a Bell 206 (slower turning two blade). Same thing in fixed wing for
two versus three blade prop.