"LM Scott" wrote in message ...
Thanks very much for a thread that I predict will be a real good one. Rocky
whenever I catch a ride in a Hiller UH12 the pilot always asks me my weight
and this is one of the few times my good sense overcomes my vanity and I
tell him the truthG Does this tie into your comment about the Hiller
compensation weight? He usually says I'm within range
and then puts me in the middle seat. Is this a lateral weight and balance
"problem" common to all older, wider helos or does this have more to do with
the Hiller rotor system? Thanks again! Larry

Hi Larry
The compensating weights are sticking up on metal bands that are about
1" wide and have square weights on the end. They are located on the
forward upper right of the engine area and nearly directly above and
behind the right seat. They are for easing the weight necessary for
the collective/cyclic input. The thru bolts on them are hard to
inspect except when they are removed. One sheared off and threw the
weight against the bubble and bounced down into the cooling fan
causing one helluva racket and a big puff of white smoke. I was in the
middle of a spray turn-around over walnut trees when it happened and
my first thought was I had taken a rocket hit! I did an autorotation
into the walnut orchard not knowing what had happened. Fortunately I
landed in the only area in the entire orchard that allowed it. The
rest of the story is kind of ho-hum.
Lateral weight and balance is of course an issue with nearly any
helicopter and is not necessarily restricted to wider helos. In the
Hiller I think the middle seat is the best in the house! Probably have
in excess of 2000 hrs sitting in it!
Happy New Year
Rocky