AvGas vs Diesel in Soutern Africa

[skycruise]

I'm a fixed wing pilot, getting into rotary wings.

All I know about helicopters thus far, is that I won't be going the piston, two-bladed Robinson route.

I'm going directly to a three and four bladed Italian machine, with 250HP gas turbine, plus a 90HP backup electric motor.

My question to SA helicopter pilots....

What are the ins-and-out of diesel helicopters in SA?

As I won't be needing AvGas, common diesel can be found on farms, trucked in where needed, and/or land next to a rural garage.

In my ignorance... if I am flying from say Cape Town to Botswana, and drop down next to a garage on a highway somewhere, walk over with a can and tap some diesel... pour in and go.

Thoughts from the more experienced, who can support and/or shoot down this scenario?

Cheers,

Herby

[Rotor Mad]

I'm a fixed wing pilot, getting into rotary wings.

All I know about helicopters thus far, is that I won't be going the piston, two-bladed Robinson route.

I'm going directly to a three and four bladed Italian machine, with 250HP gas turbine, plus a 90HP backup electric motor.

My question to SA helicopter pilots....

What are the ins-and-out of diesel helicopters in SA?

As I won't be needing AvGas, common diesel can be found on farms, trucked in where needed, and/or land next to a rural garage.

In my ignorance... if I am flying from say Cape Town to Botswana, and drop down next to a garage on a highway somewhere, walk over with a can and tap some diesel... pour in and go.

Thoughts from the more experienced, who can support and/or shoot down this scenario?

Cheers,

Herby

Herby they normally use Jet A and not diesel.
You can get some parrafien from the co op that do the same job as Jet A

[Whirly]

My Alo II can fly on diesel too, I have never had to though, but it is not a problem. Two Alo II owners flew their machines (anti-clockwise) around SA a few years ago and mostly filled up with diesel.

Just make sure the engine in your machine is rated for diesel.

Whirly.

[Iceberg]

The diesel you buy nowadays is often 1/2 paraffin anyway.....

[Whirly]

The diesel you buy nowadays is often 1/2 paraffin anyway.....

Yes, true!

Whirly.

[Marty]

Flying any distance in a piston chopper is becoming challenging , it’s hard to find avgas , there is a good future for turbines with the ease of accessibility of parrafin or diesel. Running out of avgas in a remote location is a proper snag you just need a decent headwind and you’re in the dwang

[Chalkie]

Flying any distance in a piston chopper is becoming challenging , it’s hard to find avgas , there is a good future for turbines with the ease of accessibility of parrafin or diesel. Running out of avgas in a remote location is a proper snag you just need a decent headwind and you’re in the dwang

Think positive... with a headwind you log more time.

[Tim]

I'm going directly to a three and four bladed Italian machine, with 250HP gas turbine, plus a 90HP backup electric motor.

Hi Herby

Does the Konner model you are interested in already have a Type Approval in South Africa?

[skycruise]

We are no longer representing, supporting, nor endorsing the Konner Helicopter.

Cheers,

Herby

[Tim]

Oh, what happened?