Flew a BK117A SPIFR back in the day. How has the BK117 progressed with the C2 and E-lite. Are they good SPIFR platforms? Which is favored?

Same rigid rotor head through transition.(tough on spinal injury patient) Other then that the upgrades have helped as with any other A/F USUALLY!!!

I never know the BK117A had a SPIFR set up.   Flew a VFR one for several years.  Always thought it was a 2 pilot IFR aircraft.

It didnt.   SPIFR capable BK117 wasnt possible until the Split Buss electrial system was intro'd on the later B1 models....~s/n 7180 or so.   

is a good truck, if ya like riding in trucks.  

Its spawn, the EC145/BK117??, has even a worse ride.  The fix has shown up to be a five bladed rotor system and a fenestron?

It's a semi-rigid system, not rigid (aka it feathers on bearings, not twist).

The H145(Bk117D3) is a beast with an awesome ride! Great SPIFR platform. 

to hear it.  The four bladed version was a nightmare in turbulence.

EC145 is the worst riding helicopter ever on a nominal windy day.  Turbulence or very windy day in the forecast?  Forget about it!!!

Has the Starflex. Much softer than the rigid. Not smooth in turbulence, but better than the rigid system.

The civilian EC145 cannot handle turbulence up front at the pilot's seats, or in back, like the BK117 did.  Pilots who flew the BK then on to the EC wouno up using @20-25kts surface winds and moderate turbulence as their absolute limits for flight.