Eurocopter BK117/EC145/UH-72 Lakota

Aircraft Information
> Aircraft Make: MBB, Kawasaki, Eurocopter (now Airbus). Model: BK117/EC145/UH-72. Nickname: (UH-72: Lakota)
> Aircraft Mil Civ Description: Helicopter
> FAA Category and Class: Rotorcraft/Helicopter
> Engine Description: twin turboshaft

Aircraft Experience
> As of: 11/7/2024
> Number of Hours Flown: 5
> Number of Times Flown: 4
> Other Aircraft Models Associated: BK117 (various), EC145, UH-72

First Flown Information
> Sequence First Flown: 176
> Date First Flown: 11/19/2016
> Location First Flown: Grand Prarie, TX (KGPM)
> Who and/or What Organization First Flown With: Simplex Corporation, Amy Normile

Recollections: My first flight in the BK117 (aka EC145, aka UH-72) was to conduct “baseline” assessment for the aircraft which was then configured with a firefighting tank.  This helo has a rigid rotor and, to me, the controls are very stiff.  I feel as if you more “push it around the sky” than fly it.  The firefighting equipment was all good and the helo was certified.

My most recent flight was an unexpected chance to get to fly one more time at USNTPS.  I was invited to speak at the graduation of Class 155 (circa 2019–the Navy numbers it’s classes sequentially, unlike the USAF which numbers them by the year of graduation…eg: 19A, 19B.  The USAF method is much easier to figure out!), because I knew two of the graduating students, Chris Sheehan (my son’s best man and rowing mate during college) and Josh Foxton (who was a cub scout in my son and my Pack when he was young and whose family we are close with)…small world.  As part of being the guest speaker, I was offered a flight.  I chose the Lakota, because I’d heard about it’s new role as the Army’s basic training helicopter.  It was a wonderful chance to fly again at the school and I flew with Bob Blake, whom I had met and been in contact for many years.

Filed Under: Helicopter176+