A BRILLIANT GLASS PANEL EXPERIMENTAL HUEY
MIKE TAYLOR | CONTRIBUTING AUTHOR
The archetypal Huey UH-1 utility helicopter is not what one would think of normally as an experimental aircraft. First of all, it has a well-earned reputation for dependability. If it were indeed an experiment, there would be some degree of dissolution in its 65- year tenure. Second, the Huey is a marvel of wonder among aircraft, in particular with fi xed-wing pilots and amateur physicists who remain convinced that helicopters aren’t supposed to fl y. The Huey is iconic. Its image is one synonymous with aircraft of the Vietnam and Southeast Asia confl ict era. Despite the Huey’s demonstrable pedigree, the FAA regards many of today’s UH-1s as experimental, or amateur-built, aircraft. Bell Helicopter created the UH-1 beginning in 1954. Surprisingly, the FAA registry shows an equal number of UH-1 examples under both “Amateur” and “Type Certifi cated” headings.
“The only category the FAA has for something like this is experimental exhibition, which is the category that all of the aircraft they don’t know what else to do with go to. It’s the land of weird aircraft,” says Andrew LaFollette, chief pilot with Mission Essential and G Force Air, owner of the formerly German registered UH-1 D / 71+46. “Under experimental exhibition rules, an owner is not allowed to make money with their aircraft, plus there are often other limitations on operations,” continues LaFollette. Respective of these rules, G Force
8
HelicopterMaintenanceMagazine.com February | March 2020
Air’s UH-1 has appeared on static display at public events. The Huey has also been used with local law enforcement in training roles and frequently gives rides to veterans. “What’s remarkable about the Huey is that in
bringing them back to life one brings back to life other people’s stories in them. It is truly an amazing machine that almost everyone I talk with, when out fl ying, has been aff ected by in one way or another. It’s no wonder they’re still around and will still be around for the foreseeable future,” LaFollette adds.
HUEY GLASS PANEL MODIFICATION Gardner-Lowe Aviation Services is a comprehensive maintenance, service and avionics installation shop based in the Atlanta area. As a long-established outfi t with a glowing reputation, Gardner-Lowe sees a variety of aircraft move in and out of its hangars. The Huey was already something of a standout when it arrived at Gardner-Lowe, no matter whom you talk with. The project UH-1 D fl ew in under its own power, albeit with a panel full of German-made avionics and instruments. When it left, N8379R was sporting a complement of glass panel displays from Garmin, a pedestal-mounted iPad electronic fl ight bag, and an indispensable array of USB power and 6-Pin LEMO headset ports throughout the cabin. Matthew Platt of Gardner-Lowe Aviation Services, located at Middle Georgia Regional Airport (KMCN)
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68
