Any helicopter guys here? In addition to hunting/fishing/competitive shooting, I'm also a pro pilot. Most recent helicopter I flew was a Russian Mi-17 last weekend. Working as a flight instructor with military student pilots the rest of the time.
I enjoyed the AN-2 discussion. Only know what they are, never flown one but have thousands of hours flying with round engines - mostly in crop dusting all over the world.

There are a bunch of us. I flew mostly UH-1M Gunships in my Army Guard days along with a mix of other stuff. You can see my previous round engine airplane picture with this post.

I am here to Rocky, so you are flying Russian Helicopters now. Well I still fly Bell 206's Its about all I fly with the odd single engine airplane, they don't let me fly anything else. Now that AN-2 is a airplane I would love to fly.

Got checked out in the Hughes 300 many years ago. I accumulated enough time to get my add-on private with a lot of solo time. Loved that little ship. The day I was getting ready to takoff on my pre-check, the FBO owner's wife came running out and gave us the cut sign. They sold the helicopter right out from underneath me. It was the only one they had, so I never got my check ride. Always loved flying choppers.

Saw a lot of Russian helicopters in Africa, South America and Papua New Guinea. I was always impressed at their sturdiness and their ability to operate successfully in primitive conditions. The Kamovs were particularly impressive with the heavy sling loads they carry.

Crusty ol' Army WO Blackhawk pilot here.

Quit flying about 4yrs. ago. 32+ years in helicopters. Was lucky enough to fly most of the free world inventory. Got to see the world and some things most men will never see. Would I do it again? Some parts yes,some parts no!

I hardly qualify to post on this - but I do have a few hours in an R22....... I love it to bits, but time restrictions mean I don't really get enough time to do more than grab the odd hour or two of instruction from time to time.

jetdrvr
Yep the Kamov is a popular logging heli here in B.C.

Another retired Army Warrant Officer gunny type here. Flew Charlie model gunships in Viet Nam, 14 years in Cobras after that, and 5 years instructing in Apaches after that. Was a charter member of the orignial AH-64 instructor group out at Hanchey Field...better known as "Ft. Apache", Mother Rucker, Alabama.

Never flew any Russian helicopters...us gunny types tended to see them as targets, not flight time builders. We used to shadow the then Soviet Hind gunships in the mid-1970's when we were patrolling the Czech/German border in our brand new TOW missile equipt Cobras...which were the premier starships of that era.

They stayed on their side and we stayed on ours, often matching each other maneuver for maneuver...Cold War drill and ceremonies...but it kept things intesting.

frmr army flt surgeon, never with a unit, but a "consultant"

Used to bum rides from FLATIRON when in the area on TDY.

Fun fun fun

I never finished my rotor rating. Any Arizona rotor guys that want some company let me know.