I'm currently writing the history of the Dove and Heron and would appreciate contact with any former air or groundcrew with reminicences of their time operating the aircraft. I'd also like to know if anyone knows the whereabouts of the logbooks of RW Jamieson - a New Zealander and former DH demonstration pilot who later returned to NZ. Many thanks in anticipation.
Brian Hill, e-mail, 16.07.2012 04:42
I had the privilege to fly the Riley conversion for two years in the mid 1970's. I took my first commercial flying job with Shawnee airlines out of MIA. After a bit more than 1500 hrs I can attest to the greatness of this aircraft. I loved every minute my 6 foot two inch frame was crammed in the ever so small cockpit. I had the pleasure to fly all over the Bahamas and made several flights into Havana Cuba. i was lucky to be selected for the first crew to fly a commercial aircraft from the USA to Cuba when the embargo was lifted . This aircraft was a beautiful flying machine for sure, The low Wing design made for the smoothest landings I have ever seen in any aircraft in my carrier. something about the way it went into ground effect made the transition from air to ground sometimes so smooth passengers could not feel it. LOVE THE HEREON!
HAPPY MILES, e-mail, 11.11.2011 05:39
I have 2 herons 1 flying 20 engs. and parts to last a life time
Anders Jacobsen, e-mail, 09.08.2011 22:20
Hello Scott. The DH114 Heron is a lovely airplane to fly, a good performer and has a high useful load. Unfortunately there are not many left flying so getting one can be difficult. As far as I know there are only two airworthy Heron´s worldwide today. N415SA DH114-2x Riley Heron based at Västerås Aviation Museum, Sweden and N82D DH114-2D (former Queens Flight) with original Gipsy engines based in Oregon, US. She burns about 60 Gal/hr of 100LL and with todays fuelprices becoming expensive to operate. Spares are almost impossible to get. I would go for a turbine aircraft if you are planning to travel frequently. Best Regards Anders
Scott McGuire, e-mail, 28.07.2011 00:58
We are looking for an economical operating aircraft to fly regularly from Houston, TX USA to Lima, Peru. I'd appreciate anyone's thoughts on the Heron for this run.
Chuck Bell, e-mail, 09.05.2011 04:51
New Years Day 1971 I flew from Dallas Love Field to Wichita Falls/Sheppard AFB, TX in a King Airways Heron. The weather was turbulent and miserable. The sturdy little aircraft felt as though it bounced from cloud to cloud. I was happy for four motors, and a short flight. 40 years later I remember this flight for the unique plane and the way it responded to the task. I chose it over a Texas International Air DC-9, which had delivered me to Dallas on Christmas Eve.
John Park, e-mail, 15.12.2010 07:42
We have the original Prototype Heron for sale here at the Aviation Heritage Museum in Bullcreek WA Australia for $20,0000. Need restoring. Is As Where Is.
John Ives, e-mail, 02.09.2010 02:32
I owned and ran the last commercial operation of heron Aircraft in the world. They were used for long haul tourist flights around Australia.
We also probably did the last long haul flight in a piston powered 4 engine propellor aircraft (a Heron) on either of these two flights.
the first was from Staverton (UK) to Sydney (Australia) in 1993. The second was an extend Air cruise through the Pacific from Stydney through to the Cook Islands.
If anyone can be that I would be very surprised.
Currently I am re writing the history of the Heron Aircraft and its operations. My aim is to document including at least one picture of every serial number.
Anders Jacobsen, e-mail, 26.05.2010 23:03
Hello Marcos. The V-speeds in the AFM for the Riley Heron (Lycoming engines) we operate are: V1=70 Kts V2=77 Kts Climb speed one engine out=97 Kts Climb Speed two engines out=90 Kts
Regards Anders Jacobsen
Anders Jacobsen, e-mail, 26.05.2010 22:59
Hello. I´m presently one of only two (shortly three) Heron pilots in Sweden. We are currently operating DH114-2X Riley Heron s/n 14064 reg N415SA out of Västerås, Sweden. She´s a beauty to fly and to look at (see pictures on the internet searching the reg.no.). Our plan is to operate the a/c for airshows and to fly-ins in Sweden/Scandinavia. Next airshow coming up is in Västerås 30th of May 2010.
Regards Anders Jacobsen
Marcos De Bonis, e-mail, 11.05.2010 23:42
I would appreciate to receive V-speeds for Heron Continental powered.Because I'm a commercial pilot I cannot imagine flying this beauty w/o them. Thank you in advance M. De Bonis-São Paulo-Brazil.
George T Spettigue, e-mail, 03.02.2010 00:15
I have over 6000 hours in the Heron 2 as flown by Puerto Rico International Airlines (PRINAIR) powered by 4 @ Continental IO-520 300 HP powerplants. Our route structure extended from Hispanola in the west down the island chain Guadaloupe, FI, in the east as well as anywhere in the Caribbean on special flights.
william jamieson, e-mail, 30.03.2008 22:55
i thought id just ask, like Ken has. if you could mark the lower picture as a dove. it is misleading if you dont know the aircraft like i do
Ken Watkins, CEng., MRAeS., e-mail, 27.06.2007 16:39
From 1949 to 1953, having graduated from the de Havilland Aeronautical Technical School, I worked in the stress office at Hatfield, mostly on the DH.106 Comet wing, but also for a short time on the Heron wing as it was being enlarged from the Dove wing and redesigned for four engines. The history given above, especially about the substantial modifications made to the Heron in the USA, is new to me and very interesting. May I suggest that a note be added that the lower photograph shown is of the DH.104 Dove? Also, it would be interesting to know the sources of the information, photographs and drawings displayed for these and other aircraft.
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