Well here was my first look at the EH-101 (a frosty look too)and my instant impression was "This is big!" It is a sizable helicopter. The Italians are up here doing cold weather trials (IE getting the thing down to minus -45 C) for a few months, then they're off somewhere..Colorado??for high altitude trials..then comes the hot weather trials..anywhere in Death Valley will do..We arrived in Fairbanks Friday the 28th Of Jan and we received a briefing on how the testing was going and what the parameters were. Then to our {Very happy} shock we were all given famil flights (2 or 3 at a time) and the pilots all got a chance to fly the thing. I found it very smooth (although you still get that vibration when you come through translational) and the cabin area nice and roomy (the heater was great..considering it was -28 F outside). We tried various things in our 45 min flight including one engine off line..nooo problems, the anti-vibration off (rougher but flyable), SAS off ( IE pilot actually had to use the pedals) and various combinations of the Auto-Pilot. WE did one approach to a high hover over an open area and yes that big rotor disk sure kicks up a snowball. We came back and landed after 45 min. (442 Sqn Pilot at the controls the whole time)When they towed the aircraft in they let us poke and prod it for a couple of hours then it was off to dinner with them. The crew involved 18 guys (Test Pilots, Flight Test Engineers, and Maintenace) with the majority being from Italy.(2 were from England..(Westland))Sat 30 Jan was another chance for an up close look at the helo and we actually played with a few components IE the ramp,electrical power to name a couple.We then took some group photos in front of the helo outside which wrapped up our visit.I am looking forward to begin training on this aircraft (to say the least) and I would like to thank the guys up In Fairbanks for their excellent hospitality!!442 is hoping on their way to Colorado that they will be stopping by and we can return the favour.

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