Augusto Cicare, Cicare, Glenn Ryerson, Helicopter, Kit helicopter, home built helicopter, Sun and Fun

Sport Helicopter & Pilot
Global Information Exchange

Turning world

Sun n Fun
1999
Page - 1

This Page was created
April 19th, 1999

.......Amazon Books................................... Great  Helicopter 4  Sale
Thank You-Thank You-Thank You-Thank You-Thank You-Thank You-Thank You-Thank You-Thank You-Thank You....................

I have been told a few times that Brantley, especially the B2B makes a great n inexpensive private helicopter. Perhaps this is partially because of the Brantley's unique design/appearance causes the supply to be larger than the demand, I don't know. Nonetheless, the Brantley B2B has a somewhat loyal following in the recreational helicopter world.
My vary first helicopter ride was in a Brantley. I was a line boy at one of our local airports (MPO). This was when I was in high school in the late 6os. A the pilot/owner had landed at the pumps n after I finished filling him up, he asked me where he should park it for the night. I pointed to a spot a hundred or so feet away n he said something like "ok, I'll hover it over to the spot". Well a micro second later n I had already asked him if I could ride over with him. To my delight, he took the long way n treated me to a ride around the patch. Obviously I never forgot this strangers' generosity.
I haven't a clue who owns this one, perhaps one of  SHnPGIE's readers will dig into the FAA's registration data base n eM me with the owner's name. Looking at the close up of the instrument panel, his one is in great shape. Note the lack of a switch grip on the cyclic. This bird being registered in the standard category class by the FAA, popping one in as I did on my CH-7 Angel is simply out of the question.
The Brantley is a 3 bladed design with a flapping hinge about a 3rd of the way out from the hub. I assume the hinge in the blade is for the same reason it is for in a 2 bladed bird's teetering hub??
I also note the TR blade on this Brantley is on the opposite side of  the tail boom as it is generally on a helicopter with the right blade advancing. Does any one know the reason why it is opposite in this application?

Once at Ron Froberg n Jeff Milem's helicopter fly in Alabama a few years back, Jeff n my self played hide n seek with a Brantley. I was in my Angel, Jeff was in his Bell 47. I would stay high n act as the LOACH n Jeff would be the Cobra down low. The Brantley didn't have a radio, so Jeff n I had no problem finding the Brantley because of my high vantage point. Nonetheless we all had a great time. If I remember correctly the owner of the Brantley was a guy named Stony.

All these fotos were sent in by Carlos Font of  Miami Florida. Carlos also beamed up some fotos of a Russian helicopter that he saw at SnF99. This is my busy time of year, if  I can, I will try an add them tomorrow night sometime.............. Thanks Carlos............

eM from a possible Brantley owner
about the above helicopter

Here's the story on the Brantley at Sun N Fun. First, it is a 1960 B2A Model.

The basic differences between the B2A and B2B are; the A has a 180 Lycoming (carburated) while the B has a fuel injected version. The A has the "fish bowls" on top of the canopy for headroom while the B is more like the Bell 47.

This particular aircraft was taken apart and stored for more than 30 years. It was recently reassembled and the engine was "topped". Total time aircraft and engine is reported to be less than 400 hours. The helicopter is for sale with an asking price of $39,700.00. (A little high as A models even with low time rarely sell for more than $32,000-33,000 and most go in the $27,500 range. B models seem to go for about a $1000 more.)

This aircraft is offered for sale by its owner, Jack Kehoe in Lakeland, FL. He can be reached at (941) 646-3354 or faxed at (941) 648-5874.

I got all this information at the show because I just might buy this helicopter myself. I am going to try to fly it this next week (if it hasn't been sold) as well as a B2B located in Clearwater, FL. I have been doing some homework with regards to owning a Brantly and the biggest problem I've encountered so far is in getting insurance (of any kind, hull or just liability). I called the Brantly factory and the company they referred me to doesn't write policies in Florida. I have calls into about 6 different companies, but so far, no luck on obtaining a quote. Hope this info helps

Page 2 of SnF 1999


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