Getting Spoiled in an AStar

Pia Bergqvist

Tuesday, January 24, 2012 at 08:14 PM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

The author experienced their first significant flight in a Eurocopter AS350B3 helicopter, flying with an instructor along the California coast.
The flight highlighted fundamental differences from fixed-wing aircraft, including the need for constant cyclic input, the unique collective control for vertical movement, and simplified throttle management in turbine models.
Despite these differences, the author found the helicopter surprisingly responsive to small inputs and the overall flight experience to be relaxing and enjoyable.
Inspired by this experience, the author plans to pursue a helicopter pilot rating and highly recommends trying it for its unique perspective and potential to improve piloting skills.

See a mistake? Contact us.

Once again, a new flying bug has bit me. This time the bite came from a bug-like aircraft – a helicopter. I had a chance to fly a Eurocopter AS350B3, also known as an AStar, the same type of helicopter that landed on top of Mt. Everest a few years ago and set an unbeatable record for the highest altitude landing and takeoff.

But while the AStar is capable of reaching more than 29,000 feet (while only certified to 23,000 feet), I wasn’t looking for altitude. I flew at 1,000 feet along the beautiful beaches south of Santa Barbara, California and then over the mountains to Lake Castaic before bringing the chopper back to Camarillo for lunch.