So how good a pilot is Jay Kay?

[Streetrod]

Hi guys I am a huge music fan of Jay Kay and we all know what a massive petrol head he is but I did not realise he could fly until I came across this video today. Do any of you know if he did all the flying in this vid and does anyone know how good he is?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sJ1KOqkJBhM&fea...

[Todzilla]

He flys in to a pub/restaurant near where my outlaws live - www.sircharlesnapier.co.uk - quite regulalry (apparently), seems a tad excessive as he only lives the other side of the valley!

Fun video too - reminded me a lot of Cosmic Girl.

[Geneve]

Don't know, but I believe JK is a competent ppl(h). He owns the R44 RII, but I think Heli air at Wycombe operate it.

However, in all likelihood, the video will have dovetailed some shots of JK flying the helicopter, with a professional doing the fancy work. These things are closely regulated.

[CraigVmax]

dont think thats a real rs is it? did they have sunroofs?

Rock dust light star is the best I've heard from him in years I think.

[Todzilla]

I seem to recall articles about it (the RS) when he first bought it and it was real from memory...

[CraigVmax]

me too, maybe they did a "touring" or something

[Geneve]

Yes, it is a genuine rhd/uk 2.7RS.

There were, ostensibly four versions - the very basic RSH, which were submitted for homologation then converted into their intended spec - the M491 RSRs (50 odd with the 2.8 engine and wider body, again mainly for racing), the RS 'Sports' (200 of these - aka M471 'lightweight'- probably only 100 left) and the rest, about 1,300, were M472 'Tourings' which were in road going spec with various options - and, yes, some did have sunroofs.

Remarkable cars, even today.

[CTjockey]

Here it is at the Aero Expo at Wycombe last summer. I didn't see the man himself there, guess he was too busy to attend....
That colour scheme certainly stands out

[Todzilla]

Just noticed that helicopters registration number...

[wolves_wanderer]

I bumped into him when he flew into Compton Abbas a while ago. I would be suprised if he did all the flying in that video unless he has done a crop dusting course, improved substantially and has an enormously understanding insurance company.

Edit, not saying he flew badly.

[Zad]

Urgh, all that money and he flies a Robinson? Horrible rattly little things, far better to invest a little more time in a turbine rating and get a Jet Ranger (or a time share if he is feeling especially skint).

[GT3ZZZ]

Was at Porsche Silverstone a couple of years ago picking up my car from a service. The guys there were clearing the used cars away so that he could land his Robinson in the car park. He was picking up an orange GT3 RS which he'd just bought. One of his entourage who all arrived in a Defender flew the helicopter out.

[ditchvisitor]

He has a CPL (H) too a mate didnt believe him and so he ended up explaining vortex ring to prove a point!!

[Geneve]

ditchvisitor said:

He has a CPL (H) too a mate didnt believe him and so he ended up explaining vortex ring to prove a point!!

CPL(H)? Are you sure about that? PPL's are supposed to understand Vortex Ring.

[eharding]

Geneve said:

CPL(H)? Are you sure about that? PPL's are supposed to understand Vortex Ring.

That's what I thought as well, but being a plank driver I wasn't sure.

Although there was a botched avalanche at Duxford a few years ago that turned into an inadvertant tumble when I'm sure I experienced vortex ring - at least, it certainly tried to devour my underpants.

Edited by eharding on Tuesday 1st February 23:49

[mrloudly]

Zad said:

Urgh, all that money and he flies a Robinson? Horrible rattly little things, far better to invest a little more time in a turbine rating and get a Jet Ranger (or a time share if he is feeling especially skint).

Friend of mine fly's a 44. He's been looking at a 66 but decided against it as there's a lot less places to get Jet A1 than Avgas. Good point really ;-)

[Geneve]

Funnily enough, Frank Robinson gave the Cierva Lecture at the Royal Aeronautical Society in October, and cited the future demise of Avgas as as his incentive for the R66 Turbine. Jet A-1 is readily available throughout the UK and easier to get than Avgas in many parts of the world.

The jury is out on the R66, until it is established in service. Will no doubt appeal to many Robinson operators, but probabably not the Robinson cynics. Bell 206 is getting a bit long in the tooth now. If Jay Kay goes turbine I think he'll be more attracted to the performance and handling of a Gazelle or an MD500.

[wolves_wanderer]

Geneve said:

ditchvisitor said:

He has a CPL (H) too a mate didnt believe him and so he ended up explaining vortex ring to prove a point!!

CPL(H)? Are you sure about that? PPL's are supposed to understand Vortex Ring.

You have to understand the principle and recovery.

[wolves_wanderer]

Geneve said:

The jury is out on the R66, until it is established in service. Will no doubt appeal to many Robinson operators, but probabably not the Robinson cynics. Bell 206 is getting a bit long in the tooth now. If Jay Kay goes turbine I think he'll be more attracted to the performance and handling of a Gazelle or an MD500.

I've just watched a couple of vids on youtube. The startup looks like simplicity itself and the layout is very similar to the 22 and 44. For a cheap turbine personal machine or trainer I think it will do very well.

[mattdaniels]

ditchvisitor said:

He has a CPL (H) too a mate didnt believe him and so he ended up explaining vortex ring to prove a point!!

He'd need a CPL if he wanted to pay himself for appearing in his own video