Helios featured a robust welded steel tube fuselage with aluminum skin.
Some may recognize the tower at Ted Stevens International Airport in Anchorage, Alaska rising above the blue Helio on floats at Lake Hood. Cross wind, castering landing gear is featured on some Helios. A large rudder and vertical surface provides good control at very slow speeds, however, they can make the Helio difficult to handle in cross-wind conditions. Once again, the only feasible alternative to a Helio is a helicopter. Under some conditions, the Helio can turn in the air at a radius not exceeding its wingspan, something perhaps no other airplane can do. Although the slats may be disconcerting to neophytes, they allow the Courier to be flown at speeds as low as 28 mph. Sometimes a noticeable “bang” can be heard as the slats deploy or retract, and can be startling to pilots or passengers unaccustomed to them. Once the airplane exceeds approximately 55-60 mph (depending upon conditions) the slats automatically retract. The wing of the Helio features an automatic, Handley-Page slot, which deploys when the aircraft is flown at slow speed. Once one goes beyond the negative aspects of the Helios, he or she quickly becomes aware of the outstanding characteristics of the aircraft.
Given the foregoing, it is easy to appreciate the fact that Helios do not liberally dot the skies of bush country.
One is well advised to have his or her financial affairs well in order when it comes time to overhaul these engines few shops can properly service these engines and those that do, are not cheap. Many Helios feature geared Lycoming engines and while these engines can be reliable if properly operated, they are notoriously finnicky and intolerant of ham-fisted pilots. One should not expect to easily rent or fly a Helio to “see what they’re like”. Bush pilots that have Helios typically are very proud of their rare bird and can be quite possessive of them. Helios were never produced in great numbers and are not as common in the bush as the Super Cubs and Cessna.
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