Parts Support For Canada

[koal]

Hi there, hoping to get a little input from some others that fly Bergens up North. First off, in the way of background, I'm looking to get a larger heli. I used to fly nitro .60 sized machines and most recently small electrics. I'm convinced that gas is the way to go (or at least i've convinced myself it is!), and I'm also convinced that Bergen is the way to go.

The only thing that is holding me back from picking up the phone and placing the order is the delay in getting parts up to Canada when they are required. Now I'm aware that parts support is second to none from Bergen. It's not the time it takes for Chris and company to get the parts out the door, it's not even USPS or Canada Post that causes big wait time, it's Customs. When I get things sent here it is a minimum of 2 weeks and usually 3 to 4 weeks before they get to me. As you can imagine, 3 or 4 weeks down time with a broken heli when we already have a pitifully short flying season up here is unacceptable.

Here is where I need your help. My options that I see are;
1) Have two helis. Have a spare on hand. But financially not feasable at this time.
2) Have a huge inventory of spares on hand. Or is there only a handfull of spares a guy needs?

I'm assuming that Bergen doesn't have a Canadian distributer correct?

Like I said above, I really want to go the Bergen route. Any helpfull insight would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance,
Brad in Calgary

[Andre]

I'm up in Edmonton, and have had no problems ordering parts from Bergen. They get here fairly quick.

As for spares, personally, I think it's wise to always have a few on hand, I hate to be down because of some silly little plastic part that I don't have.

Parts do wear, so it's good to have some,but crashes typically require ordering parts anyway.

Gas is a good way to go! Beats the cost of nitro!

[lperagallo]

HI, I always keep spares for my Bergen. The most frequently used in my case are:
1. Head Axle
2. Tail Boom
3. Tail Boom support ends
4. Main Bearings, Blade grip bearings (maintenance)
5. Main Gear
6. Flybar
7. Skids
8. Long link
9. ball link ends (maintenance also)
10. Main Blades (although I get them direct from vblade)
11. Torque tube
12 Head Dampeners
13. Tail boom support clamp
14, Blade Grip arm
15. Bell Hiller arm (attaches to blade grip arm)

And any small thing you might lose. I always get two of each. Once the initial investment is done, I just re-stock after a crash. There have been very few times that I had to wait for a part I didn't have on hand, but you can never tell as each crash is a new experience. Its the crashes that don't look bad that always seem to have the most damage.

Lou

[Helisin]

Hi Brad,

I agree that more redily available parts would be nice. That being said, Mary-Anne(typically who you'll talk to) is always helpfull, knowledgeable about the parts, and quick to get w-end orders out on Monday. Sometimes Tuesday if they are swamped.

Requesting USPS Express is best. We've never had to wait more than 4-6 business days and yes they(Canada Post) do sometimes deliver on Saturday or even Sunday. Typically it is 6-8 days. Typical cost for a large box would be $30.00. This is an estimate of coarse.

Using UPS ground brings a hefty brokerage fee.:shock: As would FedEx. Be prepared for that.

There are a couple of us flying Bergen's in Calgary. Between the two of us we combine orders and share shipping when possible. Where do you fly?

Rob.

[koal]

Thanks so much for everyones input, it's really appreciated! It's good to know that others in the area fly Bergens. That sounds great that you communicate and attempt to put orders together, I guess the more the merrier in that respect. That comprehensive list is great Lou!

I'm flying at Chinook Winds south of Okotoks. Just kind of a budding heli scene there and I just got back into it a year ago.

I guess if parts availability was paramount then I'd go the Trex avenue either nitro or electric as parts are plentiful. It's just that the size and weight of the Bergen are very appealing as well as the cost to operate. $300.00 per battery just doesn't sit right for the Trex 600.

Am I correct in my thinking that the size and weight of the Bergen translates into a smooth stable flyer?

Thanks again for everyones input!

Brad

[MarkWebber]

Very smooth and stable. But they still get around when you want 'em to.:thumbup:

[lperagallo]

Brad,

Its a smooth bird for sure. I fly with guys who own trex 450s and 600s and when it gets windy they can't or won't fly. I have been flying in winds up to 30mph and although you need to be on your toes, it flies fine. You can also ring it out if you want. While I'm just into loops, rolls, and stall turns, it can get going when you want.

The size also makes it nice to see. There is always a bunch of chatter when the guys with their 450s see me fly far out in big circles or patterns. They all remark how easy it is to see and wouldn't it be nice to be able to fly a bit out so you have time to react to anything that might go bad.

I think you'll like the Bergen as it is easy to build and support is great.

Lou

[fling-winger]

Hey Brad,

I also have a bergen gasser & a trex450 in Calgary. The 450 is a nice flying heli and the parts supply and prices are very good around here.

It's very well known the bergen's customer service, tech reps & parts support is second to none - believe me I've been through it!! Living here, you're pretty much in the same boat with any gasser you have - parts are very limited and if any local shop has parts you're going to pay dearly for them - so you're pretty much going to be ordering in any parts you need. Like others have said, the trick is to build up a small inventory so that you're not parked for the weeks waiting for a simple $5 part that winds up costing $20 with shipping. Building up a small stash of parts as you go also helps soften the blow to the pocket book should you ever have an ops with any gasser. Ironically, its the not nessarily the cost of the specific heli parts that get ya - It's the cost of the blades that make a crash costly!! It's just nice to know that when you need parts for the bergen there always in-stock and shipped quickly.

The EB is really nice to fly & is very stable. But the big bonus of a gasser here - like you said because of its size it's especailly a treat to be able to get outside in the sunshine during a chinook and have a machine thats still very stable and still very capable to fly around in the wind gusts. Note: during winter chinooks, the flying field will typically be yours because the winds are too strong for planes to fly in and if it wasn't windy, the always permanent well-positioned glacial snowdrift across the runway will stop them!!

Mark

[Herc]

Just adding my name as another Bergen flier North of the 49th. Parts ship from Bergen very quickly and typically don't take that long to get here.

Cheers, Shayne

[koal]

Wow! Lots of good stuff guys, thanks. Having the opportunity to get out in the winter when there is a chinook blowing is great. I figured they would be nice and stable but perhaps even more so than I thought when you're talking about 30mph winds!

This is off my initial thread topic but Mark's comment about the EB brought up another question, EB or non-EB what are the pros and cons. After all your positive comments I think I'll go ahead and order a machine but I have no idea which one, Intrepid or Intrepid EB. If I could trouble you all for a little input on that as well that would be great!

Brad

[lperagallo]

koal,

I started with the EB but after a couple of crashes decided top bring it back to a standard boom. The blade cost of the EB is high. Spinning 810s are expensive if you go in. I was flying NHP blades. All I had to do to go down was get the shorter boom, boom clamp, torque tube center bearing, torque tube and change out the pinion gear for the smaller blades.

I run vblades and their 710s go for around $100.00 on sale. The bird flies about the same yet is at least a pound lighter. With the EB I had to add about 18 oz of nose weight to get the proper CG. I also took a second step in lightening up the ship by putting in the Magnum tail. It's lighter and has more pitch swing.

It's more to consider, but if you aren't planning on doing AP or carrying a heavy load I'd go for the standard Intrepid. By the way, I run a generator and I don't have to charge my batteries very often. I've only put the batteries on the charger twice this summer and that was only to run them up to maximum since the generator doesn't run them up fully. You'll love those 15 minute flights. You could get at least 20 minutes, but I don't like to hog the field.

Lou

[fling-winger]

I think Lou's comments pretty much sum it up. 710's @ $100 or 810's @ $200+. I thought I heard the EB may be a bit more stable and the longer boom helps hold the nose a bit more, but I wouldn't know for sure because I've only flown the EB.

Lou, did you notice any difference betweeen the two??

Mark

[lperagallo]

Fling-winger,

I did not notice any difference between the flying characteristics of either tail. I added the Magnum tail to mine and that does have a longer tail pitch throw, but I don't think that makes a difference with holding the tail in a hover. I think that only allows me to piro at the speed of sound.

Lou

[fling-winger]

Thanks Lou.
Yeah, I'm not to worried about piro rates - If you see my tail spinning around, you'd better run because it ain't me do'in it!!

Mark

[kelly steed]

there's two eb in fort mcmurray now,and hopfully more two come.Parts is the last thing you should have to worry about.cris will keep you in the air.been flying the begen for over two years now,been great.

[Trevor January]

hehe kelly is right thats for sure, now if i can onl get mine together. it's my first real build and it's a little over the top for me i guess, but i am sure if i wasn't my first heli then it would have been a better/easy too1