My first flight in a BACKWARDS designed helicopter - Alouette 2 Series

It is a privilege to share my aviation experience. I understand that I don't do everything perfectly, but hope that we all can enjoy and learn from my experiences.
Fly Safe & Never Stop Learning!
Recently I was approached by the owner of this Aérospatiale Alouette II helicopter, and to help him get his helicopter license. I had zero hours in the make and model. He invited me over to the airport to talk, look over the aircraft, and to go up for a test flight before I made my decision.
I had never seen one in person and had not read the flight manual. I have since the first flight.
For the 1.5hr flight that proceeded, I not only had the worst pickup to a hover in my career, but also had to tell my feet to do everything opposite since the rotor system turned the opposite direction. Opposite tail rotor thrust. Right skid vs left skid low. 80kt cruise vs 120kt cruise airspeed. It was going back to the basics. I look forward to the next flight!
Aircraft info....On 12 March 1955, the prototype SE 3130 performed its maiden flight. The Alouette II was a widely used type and popular with operators, with over 1,300 rotorcraft eventually being constructed between 1956 and 1975. The type was predominantly used for military purposes in observation, photography, air-sea rescue, liaison and training, but it has also carried anti-tank missiles and homing torpedoes. As a civilian helicopter, the Alouette II has been used for casualty evacuation (with two external stretcher panniers), crop-spraying and as a flying crane, with a 500-kilogram (1,100 lb) external underslung load.

[@elmo575]

Very interesting pickup Michael, good job on the video! The alouette is a very simple machine, just remember the right pedal is the power pedal. The oscillation is a little bit of resonance, these machines have lead/lag dampers that need to be greased, the blade spacer system also requires grease. If the aircraft is flown more often the shuffle on the ground wont be so bad. Safe flying.

[@michaelmiller85]

Thanks for the info!

[@mkusch2337]

Great video, thanks for sharing. Keep the ground resonance possibility in the forefront of your mind while flying that machine and if it starts to go in the flight gate, pick it up immediately!

[@gblank70]

Glad to see you again sir! Always enjoy your content. The Alouette is a unique helicopter. I am a Flight Test Engineer and have used one in doing Vortex Ring State testing. There is a really good video here on YT demonstrating VRS in an Alouette.

[@SkidsUpAviation]

Great video Mike!

[@pctatc66]

Hey. you were only 5 miles south of me. I'm just about on the runway 22 final up near the CSN VOR. Enjoyed the video.. ty

[@topgunmaverick379]

My buddy owns the Alouette. Based out of KCJR

[@gregoryhuizingh5531]

Hi Mike,
My name is Greg and I own an alouette II myself here in Ontario Canada. Any chance this particular alouette operator I would be able to contact?

[@michaelmiller85]

Email me [e-mail]