Kaman H-43 Husky

Aircraft Information
> Aircraft Make: Kaman Model: HH-43. Nickname: Huskie
> Aircraft Mil Civ Description: Helicopter
> FAA Category and Class: Rotorcraft/Helicopter
> Engine Description: single turboshaft

Aircraft Experience
> As of: 11/7/2024
> Number of Hours Flown: 0.7
> Number of Times Flown: 1
> Other Aircraft Models Associated: HOK, HTK, HUK (USMC)

First Flown Information
> Sequence First Flown: 109
> Date First Flown: 10/4/2000
> Location First Flown: NAS Patuxent River, MD (KNHK)
> Who and/or What Organization First Flown With: Kaman, John McGonagle (USNTPS Qual Eval)

Recollections: The Huskie was at USNTPS for a Qual eval and I got to fly it with John McGonagle, who later became the Chief Test Pilot (and more) of Sikorsky. 

The Huskie, with it’s intermeshing rotor, is perhaps one of the best hovering machines.  I’ve always wanted to fly the K-Max, which is the single-piloted son of the Huskie.  I can tell that I was excited to fly it because I actually had a picture taken after the flight…a rare occurence for me (unfortunately, now as I assemble my memories of past flights).

I’m not sure if Kaman is still operating their Huskie (for awhile, they used it to train pilots for the single-seat K-MAX helicopter) but I do know that Northwest Helicopters, right near me in Olympia, WA, still operates one and they fly it every year at the Olympia Airshow.  Brian Reynolds–a guys who is as nice as he is skilled at flying helicopters (and that’s VERY skilled!)–does the demonstration. This company’s dedication to preserving the history of this helicopter (and many others, including Huey and Cobra) is really incredible.